Wherever you live in New York, chances are good that there are great places to eat out nearby, and that your kitchen is really small. We know Manhattanites eat out an awful lot – based on data we put together for our post on the hidden costs of living in New York, Manhattanites spend over $800 per month dining out – but with a kitchen barely big enough to turn around in, much less cook easily, what choice do you have?
We’ve got some ideas to help you use that small kitchen. (And we don’t mean storing clothes in the oven or plates in the dishwasher.) It’ll help you save money, and in the bargain you’ll get to make your apartment into more of a home. Plus, you’ll have tasty leftovers!
(1) You need many fewer tools than you think. You have limited storage space. Tools that can handle lots of different tasks are the order of the day. Which ones? You’ll figure out over time what you really need. To start, though, you need a cutting board, a sharp chef’s knife (don’t skimp on this), a saucepot and a skillet. You should also have a wet measuring cup (an 8-cup Pyrex does double duty as a handy mixing bowl) and ideally a group of dry measuring cups.
(Photo: Dinner Series/CC 2.0)
What other tools do you need? Here’s a handy trick: take all of your other kitchen stuff and put it somewhere far from the kitchen. If you find yourself going back to it regularly to get certain things, take those pieces and add them back. This is iterative – you might find that some things you thought were essential aren’t, and vice versa. Over time you may find that your tastes shape your essentials (or the other way around!).
Pro tip: you’ll be amazed at the number of devices you can replace with one good immersion blender. Immersion blenders are easy to clean, too.
(2) Keep your counter space clean and clear. You need counter space on which to prep, cook and plate your masterpieces. If you’re storing your take-out menus and plastic forks on your counter you’ll have to move them before you start cooking, which is just another obstacle to doing it. (It’ll also remind you how easy it is to get delivery!) Also, resist the urge to store appliances on your counter, even ones that you use fairly regularly.
(Photo: Maggie Hoffman/CC 2.0)
If you have the space to have one, a free-standing kitchen island (even if it’s just a few square feet) can give you both counter space and storage space.
(3) Keep your cooking simple. Enjoy exotic food and five-star French cuisine? Sounds great, but it’ll be tough in your small space. The trick here is using few ingredients (and only as much as you need), and using spices to help add flavor. Here it’s worth a few moments of research – there are lots of websites that specialize in recipes with few ingredients – try here, here and here.
It’s worth it to keep some of your favorite dry spices and seasonings on hand, as well as the basics (salt, sugar, pepper, olive oil). You can always supplement your spices with fresh ones as you need, but don’t overbuy the stored stuff – you don’t have enough space!
(4) A little foresight goes a long way. When you’re making your menu, pick recipes that require either limited prep or can be done in one pot all at once. While you’re at it, look for recipes that start with the same base ingredients or flavors. With one prep session you can get ready for multiple meals!
When you’re prepping for future meals, make sure you store the extra in Ziploc bags or Tupperware. If you’re extra-sophisticated you can “par cook” your meal, which means cooking it in part beforehand and then finishing it off when you’re ready to serve.
Also, when you’re planning your meals, avoid recipes that require the same tools or heat source at the same time. That helps from a timing perspective (you still need to watch everything though!).
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Don’t forget the top 9 questions you should ask when looking at apartments. Lots of things to keep in mind!
And while you’re at it, think about the 4 things to remember when picking your new neighborhood. It’s more than just where the good takeout is! (That’s important, though.)
