Kitchen Organizing- Bakeware and Dishes

So once again I was back in my kitchen trying to figure out why I couldn't get it organized "just right". Every time I think I have it organized, I start cooking or baking and realize that I'm still going back and forth in my kitchen getting things! I have already de-cluttered by putting "like" things together, getting rid of duplicate items and only keeping what I use. So this time, instead of just jumping in and moving everything around, I actually took the time to figure out what was wrong with the way my kitchen cupboards were organized! You're probably thinking "duh!" but really, this was a "light bulb" moment for me. To really get the most out of any space you need to step back and look at how you use it and where you do things. The counter space I wanted to use for my baking was not the counter I actually would use every time I starting baking. Sooo, I moved it all around! (did you hear my family just grumble?!?) It's now conveniently in one area...the one I actually use when I bake! Since I have more baking items than anything, I moved them to the biggest cupboard. The racks I found on clearance and one was from an office supply store for files, I turned on end. My pots and pans, which I don't have many of, are in my smaller cupboard. I also moved my bowls into a drawer! I know.. it seems weird but it really works much better, it's next to the silverware drawer and they are now low enough for everyone to reach. Sometimes you have to step out of "the box" or in this case..kitchen- and look at it with a different perspective to really see what you need to do to make things work more efficiently and in the long run, save you time!
Remember to use the "Search our Blog" box for more ideas and tips on organizing your home!

Happy Friday!
~Simply Angie

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread. 1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins. Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk an...

Grilled Orange Roughy

My favorite food choices are often related to family memories, so I wanted to share one of our favorite grilled fish recipes. Our Dad used to take us fishing and we grew up eating the fish we caught ourselves. Then came the time when we had to start buying fish, I searched for types of fish that didn't taste too "fishy". It's hard to accomplish that in the Midwest, we don't always have many choices. We were introduced to orange roughy during a trip to San Diego where my great-uncle treated us to some of the most wonderful seafood we had ever eaten at an establishment called Anthony's. It was the first time we had eaten orange roughy and it was white, flaky and not too fishy tasting. After a few experiments, this is my favorite method to prepare it at home. Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers! Ingredients: 4 orange roughy fillets 1/4 c fresh cilantro, I use a small handful * if you are not a cilantro fan use fresh dill, about 1/4 c chopped 2 tsp garlic powder o...

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar...

Natural Homemade Living

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