Kitchen Pantry Makeover

July 13, 2019 By

When we downsized 3 years ago, we felt the house had good bones on the most part. I say “on the most part” because the kitchen didn’t have a pantry in the kitchen, but instead there was was what I would have considered a hall closet which was located inside what we are calling the living room. It’s probably because the space we are using as a living room was separated into a small living room and formal dining room thus a closet as a pantry could be considered off the formal dining room.

We have since added a small pantry inside the kitchen in the breakfast nook area but it wasn’t big enough to provide much storage. Back in November I started researching on YouTube and Pinterest what others have done to organize their pantry. I began visiting Dollar Tree, thrift shops, 99 Cent Stores, Tuesday Morning and picking up containers to create general categories of items. I also purchased some chalkboard stickers and tags for labeling.

In January my husband went away for a few days which was the perfect time to pull everything out, go through items and get rid of anything with an expired date.

Here is where I started.


This is where I ended up. The empty spot is where my Instant Pot now lives.

Containers Labels: Bags, Kitchens Accessories, Seasonings, Snacks, Nuts and Seeds, Produce, Bags, Grains, Beans, Extra, and Paper Towels


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It’s now been 5 months since I did this project and I only wish I had done this project years ago because….

  • my cupboards have consistently remained organized
  • seeing what I have on hand or need to replenish is easy
  • allows my husband ease in finding items or putting them away
  • the large tub for Extras provides a sealed space to store items that come in large bags from Costco, etc.
  • placing measuring cups and directions with storage containers for rice and quinoa expedite cooking
  • storing larger items that aren’t used often in the back of deeper shelves is a good use of these space. The front part of the shelf can be used for what is needed most often.
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No Noodle Lasagna

January 7, 2018 By

Here is a way to lower carbs, add in vegetables and create a gluten free lasagna  – take the noodles out and exchange for sliced butternut squash.  This recipe came about when I purchased butternut squash instead of spaghetti squash.  Once again I put into practice thinking outside of a recipe idea and utilized what I had on hand.  In the end I was happy with the results;  Jeff said he would eat it again and so it made the cut for the site.

No Noodle Lasagna
Lowering the carbs by removing the noodles and replacing with sliced butternut squash
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Ingredients
  1. 2 medium cooked butternut squash, cut in slices
  2. 1 lb ground turkey
  3. 1 jar Spaghetti or Marinara Sauce
  4. 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  5. 1 tsp ground oregano
  6. 2 cups of shredded mozarella cheese
  7. 1/3 cup of parmesan shredded cheese
Instructions
  1. Using the oven, Instant Pot or crock pot cook squash (See cooking instructions below.) Let cool. Peel. Use the long end and slice in 1/4" slices. (Save the hollow end for another recipe). Place in layers on paper towel to absorb moisture)
  2. Brown ground turkey. Add in sauce, cinnamon and oregano and combine. I know the cinnamon seems odd but it tastes good.
  3. Preheat over to 375 degrees.
  4. Spray small casserole with olive oil spray (if using a 9X12 pan - this recipe should be doubled). Also spray a piece of aluminum foil that will cover your pan. This will help the cheese not stick during baking.
  5. Putting lasagna together - Use all ingredients except parmesan cheese. There are three different layers: the saucy meat, the squash slices and the mozarella cheese.
  6. Place a layer of the saucy meat, then the squash, then half of the mozarella cheese. Repeat.
  7. Cover with foil and place in oven for 30 minutes.
  8. Change oven to broil.
  9. Uncover the lasagna and sprinkle parmasan cheese on top. Place under the broiler. Watch carefully as the top of the lasagna browns - this usually takes less than 5 minutes.
  10. Now the hard part: Take out of the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
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I used to make my own sauce all the time but there are some good pasta sauces out there that can save on effort and time.  Costco carries a good organic sauce.  The one pictured above is from Sprouts and is very good but not organic.

Regarding the butternut squash – here are some resources on how to cook ahead of time.  You could try slicing and putting in the lasagna without cooking but I would be concerned about the moisture from the vegetable making the casserole soggy.  Packaged and in the refrigerator for another dinner later in the week – an egg roll stuffing mixture.   

Cooking butternut squash in Oven – Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.   Cut squash in half lengthwise,  Using a spoon scrap out seeds.  Place butternut squash halves on a large baking sheet flesh side up. Brush the flesh side of each squash with a little olive oil.  Roast 50 to 60 minutes, until flesh is fork-tender. 

Cooking butternut squash in Crock Pot

Cooking butternut squash in Instant Pot

Dinner is Served

Please let me know if you have any questions or I need to provide more clarification.

 

 

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Instant Pot – Amazon Deal of the Day

November 24, 2016 By

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Oh Instant Pot – how do I love thee? Here is my why? – it helps me cook nutritious food in less time.  No one is more surprised than me to hear myself say this about a pressure cooker – I was fearful of what I knew about these pots of the past but I have successfully made rice, steel oats, teriyaki chicken, beefy lentil chili, whole chicken, roast, pinto beans, quinoa, cheesecake, caramel sauce, soups, yogurt, etc successfully.  No more watching rice so it doesn’t bowl over.  I can cook something and keep it warm for up to 12 hours.  I can saute my onions, etc in the same pan.  It has a slow cooker feature (haven’t used that).  It also has 10 safety features.  I bought mine when it was offered on special but knowing what I know now – I would pay full price for this appliance. I don’t say that very often.  No longer do I fear cooking with pressure – in fact, it’s taken some of the pressure of preparing meals off.

Depending on what model you decide on – this appliance has other features beside being a pressure cooker…slow cooker, saute, etc.

To Order – Click Here 

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