5 Kitchen Essentials You Should Use Every Week for Meal Prep

Meal prep is all about being able to control what we eat. Preparing our meals in advance enables us to save money, time and cook a healthy meal. However, you cannot cook without the right kitchen equipment. These kitchen essentials are a must have for any meal preparation throughout the week. This article outlines some kitchen essentials that we should invest in.

1. Storage containers

Storage containers are used to store cooked food or ingredients. Clear containers are better because you can see how much of the ingredient or food is left. Glass containers are more durable and easier to clean compared to plastic ones. Make sure that the container has locking lids that seal tightly. This is important to prevent the food from air exposure. Pick those containers that are stackable. Square containers are better than round ones because they occupy less space. A good storage container should be safe to use with the microwave and the freezer. It should be made of a material that is BPA free. Consider using portioned containers to partition your food.

2. A meal plan program

It is always important to make a list of what you will prepare throughout the week. Taking your time to make this list enables you to be organized and prepare healthy meals. It also saves the time that would be wasted in the dilemma of deciding what to cook. Indicate clearly what you will prepare for breakfast, lunch and supper every day of the week. This prior preparation will also enable you to pick only those ingredients that are necessary. This saves your money because you will buy in bulk and there are no ingredients that will be wasted.

3. Food scale, measuring cups and spoons

Most recipes are prepared in terms of portions. It is therefore important to invest in kitchen essentials that are used to measure the ingredients while cooking. A food scale is very important because it measures proteins such as meat. Consider investing in a digital scale which is more flexible because it measures the ingredients in both grams and ounces. Measuring ensures that you do not overuse the ingredients. This prevents food wastage and eating inappropriate portions. Most folks use a food scale to measure the number of calories in a particular serving. A flat scale can also be used. It has easy to read numbers.

Invest in a good set of measuring cups. They ensure that you prepare the correct portions of ingredients. They are excellent at measuring grains, vegetables and other ingredients. Glass measuring cups are better than plastic ones because they are more durable and easy to clean. Plastic measuring cups scratch and wear down easily. Measuring spoons on the other hand are used to measure spices, oil and other ingredients. They are also used to put the right portions in the storage containers.

4. Favorite spices, seasonings and flavored oils

Spices add flavor to your food. The choice of your spices will be dictated by personal preferences. Consider stocking your kitchen with cumin, garlic powder, curry powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, basil, parsley, Oregano, lemon juice, turmeric, rosemary, cilantro, soy sauce and others. Some oils such as olive oil and coconut oil have numerous health benefits to the body.

If you are going to have spices in your kitchen, consider investing in a spice rack. It is an excellent way of keeping your spices fresh by minimizing their exposure to the air.

5. Useful kitchen utensils

• Slow cooker

This kitchen equipment is versatile. It can be used to cook a variety of dishes such as chicken, stew, soups, oatmeal, meatloaf and many more. Most slow cookers can also be used as rice cookers and vegetable steamers. The main advantage of using a slow cooker is that you don’t have to watch over the food as it cooks. You simply assemble the ingredients, cover them, turn the slow cooker on to low heat, set the time and let the meal cook while you carry on with other activities. Once the set time is reached, the slow cooker will automatically turn to warm.

• Sharp knives

Invest in quality knives that can chop, slice and dice efficiently. A quality set of knives will make work easier in the kitchen and save time. Get a set of knives that come with many blade sizes and a sharpener. Knives that are made of stainless steel are more durable compared to the other types.

• Cutting board

A cutting board enables you to chop your meat and vegetables without damaging the countertop. It is advisable to have more than one cutting board. One should be used for chopping meat and the other one vegetable. This initiative is important to prevent contamination. You can choose a plastic or wooden board depending on your personal preference.

• Can opener

A can opener is a very vital tool in the kitchen. It is used to open cans that hold various ingredients such as Tuna, tomato sauce, pumpkin puree and anything else that is canned.

• Air fryer

Consider using an air fryer in your kitchen. It has numerous advantages when it comes to food preparation. This kitchen equipment has the ability to prepare delicious food using very little or no oil. The Air Fryer is versatile because it can be used to roast, fry, grill or bake. Try using Power AirFryer XL which is a five in one air fryer that functions using hot air technology. It is used to bake, sauté, grill, roast, steam and air-fry using a small amount of oil. This air fryer features an automatic shut-off design that prevents overcooking and burning the food that is being prepared.

There are other items that seem so minor but it is impossible to function without them in the kitchen. These items include: spatula, wooden spoon, whisk, tongs, ladle and a non-sticking pan. It is important to have a plastic or silicon coated spatula to avoid damaging the surface of your pan.

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About The Author

Hello! Welcome to my blog, Housinghere.com! My name is Ella Woods, and I am 29 years old. I am a stay at home mother and wife who writes in her free time so that I will not go crazy! The things I write about is the experience I go through personally, and I want to share that knowledge with you.

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