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COOKING + BAKING

COOKING + BAKING, EVENTS + PARTIES, HOME ENTERTAINING, OUTDOORS

The 4 Ways To Set Up The Ultimate
Outdoor Kitchen

4-ways-to-set-up-the-ultimate-outdoor-kitchen

Your home is your oasis and the best place to escape from the pressures of the outside world. When you have your home set up just right, you can close the door behind you and enjoy life exactly how you want to. One way to set your home up to be the ultimate escape is to have an outdoor kitchen.

When you want to host the ultimate barbecue, having an outdoor kitchen makes a huge difference. Everybody will have their own idea of what makes the perfect outdoor kitchen but there are some fundamentals to adhere to. In this article, we will go over several ways that you can set one up to be your own personal oasis for the summer and beyond. 

1 – Choose the location

The area of the yard where you put your kitchen is important. If your space is limited you may be constrained to only one area where you have to make it work no matter what. If you have plenty of space you have to evaluate the options so you can make sure the spot you pick is ideal.

The ideal location should be easily accessible from the house, yet far enough from open flames and combustible materials. A shaded area, preferably with natural protection from the wind, will provide a comfortable outdoor cooking and dining experience.

There should also be enough space where residential concrete contractors can come in and pour a foundation for a patio for the kitchen. This will allow you to set it up in a semi-permanent way. This gives you a base on which you can put a grill or pizza oven and even seating and tables. 

2 – Appliances

When you’re putting together an outdoor kitchen, it’s crucial to choose the right appliances and gear to make your cooking and dining area fully functional. Some essentials for an outdoor kitchen include a grill, a sink, a fridge, and storage cabinets.

As you pick out your appliances and equipment, think about factors like size, quality, and how long they’ll last. They need to be tough enough to handle outdoor conditions like rain, wind, and heat. Stainless steel appliances and equipment are a popular option because they’re durable and can stand up to the elements.

Consider safety when choosing appliances and equipment for your outdoor kitchen. For instance, gas grills should come with an automatic shut-off valve in case there’s a gas leak, and any electrical parts should be properly grounded.

3 – Get the lighting right

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting up an outdoor kitchen. Not only does it add to the ambiance of the space, but it also ensures safety while cooking and dining in the evening. For your outdoor kitchen, consider different types of lighting, such as task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting.

Place task lighting where you’ll be preparing and cooking food, like above the grill and sink. Use ambient lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and accent lighting to draw attention to design features like plants or architectural elements.

Electrical considerations are also vital when planning an outdoor kitchen. A licensed electrician should install outdoor electrical outlets and wiring to guarantee safety. Additionally, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) should be installed to protect against electric shocks in damp areas.

4 – Storage and organization

One thing that prevents outdoor kitchens from being used more often is convenience. If you have to run back and forth between the inside kitchen and the one outdoors, the hassle will make you less likely to want to cook there. When you are designing your outdoor kitchen make sure to have storage and organization a priority. 

A well-organized kitchen not only makes cooking and dining more enjoyable but also ensures that everything is easily accessible and within reach. As you plan your storage and organization system, think about the size and number of cabinets and drawers you’ll need. Consider the types of foods you are most likely to cook and it will become clear what kind of storage you need. 

Choose weather-resistant materials like stainless steel or teak wood for cabinets and drawers to guarantee durability and a long life. Design your storage areas to keep items tidy and easy to access, such as using pull-out drawers for pots and pans or spice racks for seasonings.

To make the most of your storage space, try incorporating multi-functional pieces like an outdoor kitchen island with a built-in fridge or storage cabinets. This not only gives you extra storage but also creates a central spot for cooking and dining.

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COOKING + BAKING, KITCHENS

Essential Cooking Tools Every Kitchen Needs To Have

essential-cooking-tools-every-kitchen-needs-to-have

Kitting out a kitchen is not the cheapest task around, as a kitchen requires so many essentials to be ideally functional. So, whether you’re a bachelor that’s just starting in your new home, or you’re battling to prepare most meals and dishes, be sure your kitchen has all these essentials. 

Once you have the essentials, you should look at investing in a few kitchen extras that will further enhance functionality. Appliances such as blenders and juicers are handy, and there are tons of other extras that you should also consider. 

Kitchen Knives And Suitable Storage

If you’re currently battling along with a few steak knives or regular kitchen blades, investing in a set of quality kitchen knives can make a massive difference to your culinary skills. 

And while you can purchase a set that will include all the essential knives, you can also buy them individually. The knives you’ll need include a paring knife, a chef’s knife, a serrated bread knife, a carving knife, shears, and a few others. 

And once you have purchased your essential knives, you should also invest in a knife block or a magnetic knife strip for proper storage. In addition, you’ll also need a steel rod and a whetstone to hone and sharpen your blades routinely. 

A Cutting Board

A cutting board is vital to keep your kitchen counters from becoming scratched and damaged over time; chopping, slicing, and dicing is not ideal to do directly on countertops.

And chopping boards are pretty affordable as well, so you should opt for a quality board that will last you a few years. 

Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are another essential you’ll need to follow recipes, whether cooking or baking. These generally come in sets, which is the easiest purchase option. That said, you should also consider a measuring jug and a digital kitchen scale to ensure you can always follow recipes properly. 

A Quality Pot Set

You won’t be able to cook or prepare anything without a pot set. And while there are pocket-friendly options, you should rather avoid these as some are made from inferior materials and won’t last long at all. In contrast, others are made from materials that can be harmful to your health. 

So, when shopping for pots and pans, you should consider which types you will need, the materials they are crafted from, and proper cleaning requirements. 

Crockery

You’ll also need cups, bowls, plates, and mugs in your kitchen. And these can also be purchased in sets. So, just one set is all you’ll probably need. You should also buy a set of drinking glasses.

Other Cooking Tools

A whisk, a potato masher, a spatula, a sieve, and a set of cooking spoons are also essentials that you will need for various uses around the kitchen. Once again, the easiest option is to purchase sets of these as you’ll get all you need in one simple purchase. 

The more cooking tools you have in your kitchen, the more functional it will become. And even though there are always cheaper options available, inferior quality cooking tools never last and often risk health concerns. So, instead, spend a bit extra on quality to ensure your kitchen things can last a lifetime. 

SHOP KITCHEN…

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COOKING + BAKING, FAMILY

Cooking Healthy Family Favourites at Home

cooking-healthy-kids

These days, it seems like we’re always on the run. I don’t know about you, but it’s rare that I have time to sit down and enjoy a home-cooked meal that my entire family loves. But cooking healthy, family favourites doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. These simple tips will give you more time with your family and might even result in the occasional comment of, “Thanks, Mom!” rather than, “Why do I have to eat this?”

Nothing Beats Pizza for Dinner

Although it’s easy to grab a takeout pizza on the way home from work, it’s much more fun to have your kids help design and build their own. You might even consider a family shopping trip to purchase fresh cheese, meats, and veggies for toppings. If you’re not into gluten, you’ll have a bit more work to do, but a homemade, gluten-free crust can be quite tasty. Consider different sauce choices as well, rather than the traditional tomato-based variety. A pesto or alfredo sauce might be a winner with your family. And the best part? You just pop it in the oven, bake it until crisp, and voila! You have the most delicious homemade pizza within minutes.

Healthy Pizza is Possible

The BBC’s Good Food website paints a gorgeous picture of what healthy pizza looks like. Surprisingly enough, the recipes they list aren’t that difficult. The most important part of eating healthy is to buy fresh, wholesome ingredients, like organic tomatoes, basil, peppers, mushrooms, and even bacon to change things up a bit. Following the recipe is a good choice as well, but I’ve discovered making slight alterations to my recipes can really make the meal, especially with picky eaters in the house.  

Other Fun, Healthy Meals to Prepare at Home

Speaking of picky eaters, have you tried the sneaky trick of adding veggies to your kids’ favourite meals? Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s a great way to introduce children to new food combinations and provide the vitamins and other nutrients they need to stay healthy. Mac and cheese with fresh, chopped carrots or peas is a good start. What child doesn’t love mac and cheese?

For a fun twist, why not have the kids help you make zucchini bread with chocolate chips? They’ll learn how to follow a simple bread recipe from start to finish, and they get to clean up the extra chocolate chips they “forgot to add to the bowl.” With all the healthy recipes out there today, it’s not too difficult to find something your family will enjoy eating as much as they enjoy helping you make it.

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