What are the standard items I should have in my kitchen, pantry, refrigerator and freezer?
It took me a moment to realize that this was a question I have been asked a lot over the years. So this article is for all single parents who want to a properly stocked kitchen that will easily feed a family of four.
The Kitchen Is Your Tool Box
Every man can relate to having a tool box. Some guys like to keep an assortment of tools just lying around the garage with no real system or inventory of their tools. Some guys keep their tools very organized, clean and accessible. You need to think of your kitchen like a tool box that has to stay clean, organized, and accessible. Why? Because cooking is messy and it takes time. If you do not have an organized kitchen, you are going to waste valuable time and that is something we can’t afford to waste.
Your Tools
What I have discovered over the years is that many newly divorced or widowed people think that they have to buy the “top of the line” pots, pans and cooking gadgets to equip their kitchen. There are actually very few items that you need to invest a lot of money in to make cooking easier.
Pots & Pans: Make sure you purchase heavy gauge (preferably three-gauge), stainless steel pots, and pans. You don’t need any copper versions, just make sure these pans have a long stem handle and they come with a lid.
2 Quart and 4 Quart Pots: These are two sizes I recommend for any kitchen. Pots are measured in quarts and pans are measured by the size of the cooking surface. The smaller 2 quart version is great for a quick boil for rice, soups and just about anything. The larger 4 quart will be used for your favorite spaghetti sauces and is great for reheating anything for a family of four. I bought the additional steaming pan attachment for my 4 quart pan. It looks like another pot with holes at the bottom and it rests on top of the 4-quart pot. I use it to steam my favorite frozen vegetables and I can simultaneously use the steam while I am cooking something in the pot below.
8 to 10 Inch Frying Pan AND 12 to 14 Inch Deep Dish Pan: the smaller frying pan is another universal pan that has many functions in the kitchen. The larger “deep dish” is going to offer you a variety of functions as well. Make sure you get matching lids for these pans. Bigger is not always better when it comes to a frying pan. You have to keep your stove heating surfaces in mind. Make sure you buy the pan that is going to fit your stove’s heating surfaces. Make sure the pan you buy is not hanging over too much. This will cause uneven heating and could make cooking more difficult and your results may vary from tasty to not so good.
Love Your Crock Pot
I am always learning new recipes for cooking meals in my crock pot and I love how easy they are to use. I truly believe that the inventor of the crock pot must have been a single parent because this is one great cooking tool for the person who is juggling a family, career, and social life. For a family of four, a 4 to 6 quart pot is plenty. Just make sure you have an area to store it in and an open area on the counter to place it when you are cooking. The crock pot must have a timer. When you set the timer, the crock pot will automatically adjust the heat to a warming temperature. This will keep vegetables in stews from evaporating into mush. For more crock pot recipes, go to SingleDad.com and check out my Fall Crock Pot Recipe.
