Whether you’re off to university or a city away from your family because of work, you probably have to deal with the adjustment of living alone.
While this offers many perks and is an enjoyable journey in its totality, it also means you’ll be solely responsible for all your daily decisions and household chores. One of the most vital tasks in your everyday life is meal preparation.
You need to look after your own health, and when it comes to it, everyone knows it’s preferable to cook meals at home than frequent restaurants and fast-food chains.
After all, nothing beats the comfort and health benefits of a home-cooked meal. If you’re planning to prepare your meals a few days each week or cook every day, you’ll need some pointers to help you through.
Consider the following kitchen tips for people living alone.
Plan Ahead
You’ll become more comfortable and at ease in the kitchen in no time if you learn how to plan your meals. Planning is critical, which is why it takes up the top of this list.
Before you go grocery shopping, you might find it helpful to make a meal plan for the week ahead. With a meal plan, you’ll have a concise list and won’t have to waste any money on stuff that won’t be used. Try to think early about what dishes you’ll be cooking that can sustain you through the entire week.
You can plan for days when you want to order from healthy meal providers, like The Good Kitchen, since there might be times when you feel too tired to cook a healthy meal.
Moreover, maintaining a meal schedule will help with social plans and study times. You get to decide when you’ll be available to whip up dishes, so it won’t disrupt your other plans.
When you anticipate everything earlier, you can have a well-organized cooking plan, which allows you to eat healthily too. A weekly food shop is part of planning. It’s best to go grocery shopping on a free day at least once a week. You’re less likely to stray from your meal plan if you buy all the ingredients for the week.
Cook More And Store Your Leftovers
Another essential kitchen tip for living alone is to cook more and store the extras as leftovers. Most recipes specify measurements of ingredients suitable for more people and large servings. Having these kinds of recipes can work to your benefit. For instance, you can prepare a chicken salad in more portions and divide it to enjoy it for a few days.
When you come up with more food after cooking, you can store it in airtight containers and refrigerate it. Then you can reheat and eat it later on.
Leftovers can even be used for a convenient lunch the next day, or if you do not like eating the same thing twice in a row, you can revamp the recipe. There are simple modifications necessary for your dish to turn out differently. You can stick to basic meals as well, which can easily be transformed into something else with additional ingredients.
Maximize The Use Of Your Fridge
Keep a supply of healthy food in your refrigerator and freezer. Your fridge will be your meal planning partner, so take advantage of it. Since vegetables rot quickly, you can opt for frozen ones instead. In contrast to what is commonly believed, these products retain much of their nutritional value.
For your spices, you can store freshly ground and crushed garlic, ginger, pepper, and other seasonings, which are easy to use this way. You can also keep freshly squeezed fruit juices in your fridge to drink or use them easily as ingredients anytime.
As for your meat, choose those that have been chopped according to your preferences and recipe requirements. All these tips will allow you to cook conveniently while maximizing the use of your fridge and freezer.
Don’t Make Complex Dishes
Whenever possible, do not go for complex recipes. Chances are it will require you to purchase ingredients that you won’t be able to use often, which will only lead to expiration. Go for recipes that are basic, simple, straightforward, and versatile. Many dishes taste flavorful but are so easy to make.
There’s an option for you to tweak some recipes and forego ingredients that aren’t primarily necessary. Check out other recipes later in the week that apply the same herb to save on your components.
Stock Up On Cooking Essentials
Make sure you have the essentials on hand. They’re practical investments in your kitchen. Buy your staples when they’re on sale; as you know, you can always use them from the get-go. Go for some of the best non-perishable foods, like dry spices, frozen foods, canned veggies, fruits, and others. Stay away from highly perishable products and find a healthier alternative to them.
Consider growing your own food at home if you want the freshest ingredients. These days, it’s easy to grow vegetables like mushrooms with readymade mushroom grow kits, which you only need to water as needed. You can also grow potted herbs in your kitchen or around your home since they don’t take up much space. Plus, they make great decor!
Conclusion
Living alone doesn’t have to feel burdensome when you know a few tips and tricks in the kitchen. By planning ahead and preparing delicious dishes that last for a few days, you’ll live a healthy and laid-back life and enjoy homecooked meals every now and then.