Liz from Simple Italian Cooking is back with a few things you can do to kick kitchen clutter to the curb.

Unless you have had your kitchen recently remodeled, chances are there are a few changes you could make that would create a more efficient and user-friendly environment– without the need to rip out walls or spend thousands of dollars.  Here are some practical tips to help you get the most treasured room in the house organized!

Kitchen Storage Ideas

Storage baskets are very popular and they come in every medium from woven grass to canvas to metal wire. Whatever the style of your kitchen, there is a basket that will stylishly contain all those bits and pieces that need a home.

When looking for baskets, consider the purpose and look beyond typical kitchen designed baskets. For example, rolling plastic 3 drawer carts can be used to store bags of onions or potatoes, housing neatly folded hand towels and table clothes or storing plastic lids – all within easy reach.  You won’t find these carts in the kitchen department, but most likely in the home improvement or living areas.

Create Space Where There Is No Space

If you have a kitchen with a pantry area and a door, you can easily free up countertop clutter by purchasing pocket holders or racks that hang on the back of the door. This is perfect for housing items such as phones, calendars, notepads, pen/pencils, to-do pads, soup packets, canned goods or even seasonings depending on the style of the holders. If you don’t have a door to use, consider tacking these holders where there is empty wall space.

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Another way to make space where there is no space, is to remove items in your cupboards which aren’t being regularly used. The idea is simple, but when it comes to figuring out what you do and don’t need, it gets a little harder. 

Therefore, take the average number of place settings you use on a daily basis, then box up the rest and store them in an area where they are still accessible should you need them in the future.

You may be surprised at how much new space you have once those extra mugs and chipped glassware are removed.

Keep Out Of The Kitchen

If tight on space, look for ways to store items outside of the kitchen.  For example, if you keep your tablecloths and other “clothware” in drawers in your kitchen, look for storage units which would fit nicely with your dining room or living room decor.

Use these units to store items  such as extra plates, silverware or pots and pans, thus freeing up more space in the kitchen for more frequently used items.  These units can be decorative and not intrusive, blending into the existing decor, without giving the slightest indication for its actual purpose.

Keeping yourself organized is one thing, but making your kitchen organized is another.  By having an organized kitchen you will find not only does cooking and meal preparation become easier, but it also becomes more enjoyable too.

About the Author

Liz Trementozzi Krause, who grew up in an Italian home, has an Italian website where she enjoys writing about Italian recipes, or reviews about Italian cookware such as the best gelato machine for home use. She loves sharing tips with her readers and subscribers and hopes she encourages others to enjoy spending more time in the kitchen!

Connect With Liz: Twitter | Web

I’m away on a short break so, I’ll be re-sharing some of my favorite OTR articles and introducing you to some new guest bloggers, like today’s writer, Ana Brady. Check out her tips on how to get your pantry in order.

The point of organizing your pantry is not for the sake of being organized, and not only to get rid of what mice left behind (though, for those folks who had the misfortune to go through this like I did once, this is a big part of it). The point of straightening out your pantry is also to save money and time.

That’s practically what most of the organization around the kitchen should bring.  It might be no fun, but it pays off. You know that feeling when you have a toothache and you keep postponing going to the dentist because you hate it? But once you get it over with, there’s a heavy load off your chest. Organizing a messy pantry might be a little bit like that.

Whatever the level of your pantry messy-ness, one thing is clear: if everything is cluttered, you have no idea what’s expired, and the shelves haven’t seen a cleaning cloth in years – you are the right candidate for pantry organization.

If you have children with surplus of energy, you can proclaim a new game called Who Can Organize the Pantry Better, and let them help you.

How to Organize Your Pantry in 8 Easy Steps:

1. Start by taking out absolutely everything you have in the pantry and line it on a kitchen table or floor. It might take you awhile, so be prepared.

2. Take a few cleaning cloths and whatever cleaning product you like to use for pantry shelves, and give it a good wiping. Don’t forget spider webs and hard-to-reach corners. Everything should be spotless once you’re done, because you won’t be doing this every week, I suppose.

3. Then, go back to what you lined up on the table and go through all items. Some of them might be expired, some of them might have holes from mice or some other pests (hopefully not), and some might be a surprise to even be there, because you never eat such things, or you stopped eating them. Throw out everything that you won’t be using anymore. Your goal is to make that the last time you’ll be throwing away food (in bulk, at least).

4. Now, this step is optional. You can use only the shelves you have in your pantry, or you can purchase extra bins, baskets, hanging or slide-out racks, turntables, wire shelf helpers, any additional products that might help you create more room for food in your pantry. 

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5. Group all food items into sections according to likeness. Don’t group according to size because that might confuse you later when you look for a particular thing. Breakfast foods like cereal and oatmeal can be one group, pasta and rice can be another, flour, sugar and salt yet another, etc. Group food according to what makes sense to you.

6. Start putting back the food. It might be a good idea to keep everything you want to hide from your kids on the highest shelves where they can’t reach it. Also, use those shelves on top to keep lighter food packages. Keep heavy stuff (like jars, glass bottles and large containers on lower shelves or on the floor). You can use turntables for bottles of oil, vinegar, etc. Also, it’s not a bad idea to keep everything you often use on shelves/racks that are at eye level.

7. Re-packing the food might also be necessary. If some food packages are torn, or too bulky, you can purchase convenient see-through plastic containers that not only save space, but also let you know what you have inside. They are good for storing cereal and pasta. I use glass jars for storing flour and sugar.

8. Make sure everything you have in your pantry and all labels are clearly visible, so that your search time is minimal.

When you divide pantry organization into these clear tasks, like I did, it doesn’t sound so intimidating. The problem is that new food comes in very often, at least once a week, and you have to remember not to throw it on top of whatever shelf you find convenient at the moment. Place new items where they belong, now that you have nicely grouped food sections. You’ll be doing yourself a favor.

About the Author

Ana Brady is a mother of two, a writer focusing on food and health related topics, and a member of a designers’ group that recently completed a project on food packaging labels.

I’m on a mini-sabbatical but while I’m away, check out this video by Donna Smallin Kuper on how to get your container lids under control. Need more help? Here’s an oldie but goodie on what to do When Plasticware Attacks. J

Today’s guest blogger shares the top five “must have” gadgets every kitchen needs to function well. Is your favorite on the list?

In our gadget obsessed world, it is often hard to navigate the jungle of obscure devices we are told we absolutely cannot live without. Many of them seemed full of promise when we bought them, only to end up living in the permanent darkness of the “junk” kitchen drawer. With so many products to choose from, what really are the 5 top gadgets that every kitchen must have, whether you are a beginner or a serious cook?

1) A Set of Knives

Before you even boil an egg in your kitchen, your first purchase should be a set of knives consisting of a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated utility knife. Don’t skip on the quality – a high-carbon steel or ceramic blade and an ergonomically shaped handle are essential if you want to get the most out of your knife.

2) Food Processor

The king of kitchen gadgets will not only save you time, but also money spent on multiple devices you would have to buy otherwise. Chopping, mixing, slicing, grinding, juicing, kneading – you name it, a food processor can do it. Look for a powerful motor and a sturdy base, and buy only the attachments you are really going to use. Make sure the product comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.

3) Blender

Blenders are often sold in combination with food processors and are indispensable for making shakes, purees, or creamy soups. Hand held stick blenders are a great alternative as there is no extra dish to clean up, and they take up less space for storage. Again, a powerful motor is key, as is an ergonomically shaped grip on a stick blender that fits perfectly into your hand.

4) Vegetable Peeler

While a knife would do for some peeling jobs, a vegetable peeler is safer to use and allows you to work more precisely. In addition, it can double to create chocolate curls or thin shaves of parmesan cheese. Vegetable peelers with ceramic blades are ideal, as they retain their sharpness for a long time and do not absorb any odors from food.

5) Cutting Boards

A seemingly mundane gadget, a set of good cutting boards is an essential item no kitchen should be without. Cutting boards not only determine how easy it is to cut and chop your food, but also the life span of your knives. You should have at least three cutting boards – one for vegetables (including garlic and onions), one for fruit, and one for meat. Even better, purchase an extra cutting board that is designated for poultry only.

While boards made of bamboo and wood look beautiful, they cannot be put in the dishwasher and can potentially pose a serious health risk if used for cutting raw poultry. Over time, the cracks and crevices in these boards can harbor bacteria and even mold. Instead, look for dishwasher safe plastic boards that will not harm the blades of your knives.

About the Author

Karen owns and writes for Gourmet Food. When she’s not writing about food she’s usually either reading about it, cooking, or traveling.

Connect With Karen: Web

When warmer weather rolls around, many of us decide it’s time to pull out stove and clear out any gunk that’s back there. That goes for the washer/dryer and the fridge, too. It is, afterall, the cleaning time of Spring, yes? Well, almost. ;)

While you’re covered in gloves up to your elbows with a bottle of your favorite eco-friendly cleaning spray, don’t neglect the inside of your appliances, especially your fridge…especially if you’ve got left overs. You might not think about this too often, but some foods just don’t stay fresh for very long in the ice box. Like my personal fave, sushi. Shelf life in the fridge = 1 lousy day according to StillTasty.com.

“CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 out of 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.” ~CDC 2011 Estimates

StillTasty.com will let you type in any food or beverage or search categories to figure out how long they will last. You can also ask questions, like: “Should you eat chicken that’s been frozen for two years?” and “Is it Safe to Eat a Burger That’s Still Pink Inside?“ and “Can You Safely Reuse Marinade?“

You wouldn’t be surprised to hear that there’s also an iPhone app, would you? So, put away your gloves, open up the fridge, and check out the app. It will send you alerts when food expires and when it’s time to replenish your supplies, it lets you add it to a shopping list.

Many thanks to the ClutterDiet member who told us about this very helpful website. J

It can a little tricky when you decide to make a new dish for the first time.  Need to know how to stay focused and not become overwhelmed? Today’s guest blogger, Liz Trementozzi, knows a thing or two or three about how you can avoid the kitchen blues. Check out her tips below.

Cooking can be a wonderful time of creativity and relaxation.  However, it doesn’t always come naturally, especially when new to cooking or when cooking a new recipe. Here are a few tips to help you avoid becoming anxious or overwhelmed during the cooking process.

1.  Avoid Distractions. When cooking a new dish for the first time, it is important that you are able to concentrate on your task at hand.   Accidently skipping a step, or not reading instructions accurately can be the difference between disaster and culinary success.

Examples of common distractions are talking on the phone, chatting while cooking, or dealing with family disputes. Simply make a choice not to pick up the phone if you are in the middle of baking, don’t get caught up chatting with friends because this will surely take your attention off of your food, and if your kids demand your attention, tell them you will help solve their dispute once you are finished.

2.  Avoid Feeling Rushed. The easiest way to avoid being rushed or cramped for time is to allow enough time to cook.  If a recipe calls for 30 minutes to make the dish, allow 60 minutes.  In addition, try not setting a definite time for dinner (or whichever meal you are preparing). If you are running late for dinner, simply make up your mind that dinner will be ready whenever you are done. Taking the pressure off by not having to meet a deadline will help ease your nerves and anxiety.

3.  Be Organized and Prepare. Take about 10 minutes before you begin cooking to clean off all your counters and pull out any utensils, bowls, or other equipment you might need.  In addition, take the time to prep all your ingredients such as chopping carrots, measuring flour, etc.These simple steps will help you move effortlessly from one step to the next in the recipe without having to stop and lose time. For example, if a recipe states that you need to continuously stir a rue over the stove, and then calls for adding in additional flour, you will want to make sure that the needed flour is already within easy reach.

Cooking can be a delightful experience. However adding in distractions, unnecessary pressure, and a lack of organization, you may find yourself struggling more than you need to.  Following these simple steps will help you not only focus on your cooking, but also help ensure that your new recipe will be a wonderful success!

About the Author

Liz Trementozzi is a cooking blogger and publisher of an Italian cooking website where she also features reviews on Italian kitchenware appliances from gelato makers to finding a home meat grinder for making fresh meatballs and Italian sausage links. Liz grew up in an Italian home and married into another Italian family.  She believes cooking can be fun and rewarding and hopes to share her passion with others.

Connect With Liz: Twitter | Web

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I have a family member who LOVES to use his vacuum sealer.  He’s been known to seal hamburgers…with the buns included. The sealer bags are clear and most times it’s easy to figure out what food has been sealed up. If you don’t have one of these gadgets, you might use aluminum foil, ziploc bags, or some other containment system before putting the food in the fridge or freezer.

Why not make it easy for everyone by putting labels on your food packages?  If you have a refrigerator in your office, labels are also a great way to let everyone know that that ham sandwich is yours!

Here are the labels I like to use.  Check them out and let me know what you think.

In the madness of everyday life in our house, I tend to overlook household organizing. A few spots in particular seem to collect old mail, receipts, pamphlets—just about anything. In a moment of clarity, I recently reclaimed an area in my kitchen— ironically the central hub for household management (cooking, planning, scheduling, bill paying, etc.)—that had become one such clutter “hot spot”. The mound of clutter was growing by the day as it became a catch-all for any miscellaneous items.  Pulling cookbooks became a game of Jenga – one false move and the entire pile came crashing down.

I cleared away some piles, created a separate space for some books, sorted and created a binder for recipes I had torn from magazines and newspapers, tossed unnecessary papers, and I now have an uncluttered space of my own. It really took less time and energy than I thought, and with a simple cork board I now can make a grocery list, find a gift card, and remember an invitation. Hopefully, this will inspire me to organize the rest of my house.

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Back in September, we gave away a fab Rubbermaid food storage set.  Recently, we caught up with the winner (@minnies779) to get her two cents on the how she liked the products.

OTR: Which Rubbermaid product(s) did you win?

@minnies779: I won the Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids food storage set.*

*Included 2 Produce Saver containers

OTR: How long have you been testing the products?

@minnies779: It has been approximately a month since I have been using this product.

OTR: How/what have you used them for?

@minnies779: I have made use of this set in several ways. My husband loves using them to bring his lunch to work. I have used some of them to store items in the bathroom.  I also have used them to store leftovers.

OTR: Have the products lived up to their reputation? *See Rubbermaid site for product descriptions.

@minnies779: Yes, the products have lived up to thier reputation. I tried them in the dishwasher and they were good as new. The lids are very easy to snap on as well. Also, it’s that the lids fit other sizes.  I really do love this product much better than the other brand we were using.

OTR: What was the best feature of this product?

@minnies779: The best feature would be the storing capability. The products really do take up less space.

OTR: If you didn’t win this product, would you have purchased it?

@minnies779: I probably would have purchased it when I was in the market to buy storage containers.

OTR: If you had the ear of the Rubbermaid execs, what one major suggestion would you make to improve the product?

@minnies779: I really didn’t see that the product needed improvement. I did like how it held up in the dishwasher. I also used it to store food with tomato sauce and it seemed to be fairly stain resistant.

OTR: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

@minnies779: Thank you for the products!

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Professional organizers, myself included, love to tell our clients to use their vertical space. When you mount an item on a wall, you’ll get more room on your counter or floor, and that item’s footprint won’t seem quite as large. You get bigger bang for your buck.

One untouched area of many homes is typically the space under the kitchen cabinets. It’s a great place to put things that you use fairly often but don’t want on your counter. Uncluttered counters = more space to prep for meals.

What can you mount under your kitchen cabinets?

• Radio/TV
• Can Opener
• Microwave
• Knives

Did you notice that last one? Yep, knives. Mounting them keeps them close by, out of reach of little hands, and you get a little more counter space. Check out the Knife Rack Pulldown by Merillat, and if you decide to buy it, let us know how you like it..

Merillat Product Description:

This rack can be installed under your cabinet to protect fine cutlery and provide easy access to your knives at all times (holds a maximum of 10 knives). Can also be concealed by folding rack back under cabinet to keep safely away from children. Clear acrylic base with white knife holder.