Housewife Tip #6

Take stock of your kitchen.

What separates a girl from a woman (at least one part) are some kitchen essentials.

I have realized that several of my college student female counterparts are lacking in the kitchen department. This might not seem like a big deal, especially if you eat microwave dinners and mac & cheese all the time, but it's time to grow up.

One way to evaluate your kitchen is to choose one staple meal and a desert that you would be willing to make for friends if they came over.

For me:

Chicken is the meal, but you only need a few extras to make it delicious. Consider:
- herbs/spices
- cream of mushroom/celery soup
- chicken broth

I can make super delicious baked chicken with just those ingredients. The herbs are the most expensive, but once you dig in and buy some staple herbs/spices (oregano, rosemary, garlic, basil, salt, pepper) you will be set. Soup can be like a dollar and you can do canned broth or cubes, whatever is your fancy.

Buy lettuce or a bagged salad and there ya go, a simple baked chicken and salad meal. If you feel like adding a bread side, use your garlic powder or salt and make garlic bread!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
- flour
- white sugar/brown sugar
- vanilla
- baking soda
- salt
- chocolate chips

Then, when you know you're having a girl's night or friends over, all you need to go get (if you don't already have them) is butter and eggs.


Also, all of these basic ingredients (flour, sugar, herbs) are generally used throughout the spectrum of all types of cooking, so when you do feel like branching away from a Hamburger Helper box you will be generally more prepared.


Good luck in the kitchen!

Curtis OUT.