Top 4 Survival Tips On How To Cook During Kitchen Remodel

Are you currently without a kitchen and find yourself wondering how to cook during kitchen remodel? If so, this post is about to save you a ton of stress. This post will explore 4 basic survival tips on  how to cook during kitchen remodel as well as walk you through a few one pot recipes you can attempt if you find yourself without a kitchen.

Tips on How To Cook During Kitchen Remodel

Tip #1: Cook Simple Recipes

Gather all of the previous ideas of what you like to eat, put them in a little bundle in our hand right hand, and throw them out the window. Calm down, it’s not that you’ll never have them again. But without a fully functional kitchen, you want to think college innovation in a dorm, and not so much  Michelin star restaurant.

Try to skim through your list of meals and find things that you make all of the time that can be very easily doubled or even tripled. Most importantly, you want to find things that can be made in one pot. Those ‘Dump Meals’ are quickly going to become your best friend.

Tip #2 Get Some form of electric cooking appliance.

There are so many electric appliances to help you cook without a stove these days. There are Instant Pots with over seven cooking methods, electric ovens, air fryers, and even electric skillets. The number of appliances you opt to get will depend on the amount of space you have. If you can only afford to get one or two, however. I would recommend going for a multifunctional Instant Pot and an Electric Skillet. You can always use your microwave to reheat or as a temporary oven.

Tip #3: Create a Dedicated Kitchen Space

This one may seem like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how many people simply opt to prop their appliances on the coffee table or the floor somewhere near a plug. Kitchen renovations have the potential to lasts for months at a time, so it’s always a good idea to create a makeshift kitchen area where you will be keeping all your appliances, spices, groceries, etc. This also gives you a space to cook without having to worry about anyone bouncing over the dishes you worked so hard to prepare.

Tip #4: Figure Out Where You Will Wash Your Dishes

This is a tip that is often overlooked when remodeling your kitchen, but it is by far the most important. There is no way you can cook or clean up without a source of running water.  And washing your kitchen utensils in the bathroom for an extended period will become annoying. So, if you know that you have a kitchen remodel project coming up, prepare ahead of them and install an additional sink somewhere in your house.

One-Pot Meals You Can Try

Beef Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is the stir-fry of all times, very fast and very easy. Start with cooked beef (sliced roast beef from the deli can be used), frozen stir-fry vegetables, and a commercial stir-fry sauce, and just warm it through. Add some ingredients of your own, like cashews or sesame seeds, a scoop of hot rice, and in less than 10 minutes, dinner is served.

Serves: 4

Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 lb. cooked beef strips
• 1 (10 oz.) bag frozen stir-fry vegetables
• ½ cup bottled stir-fry sauce
• Dash Sriracha sauce (optional)
• ½ cup chopped peanuts

Directions

1. Add sesame oil to a large, heavy skillet set over high heat. Heat for 1 minute.
2. Add the beef and vegetables. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
3. Add the stir-fry sauce and cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to low.
4. Simmer until heated through roughly about 5 minutes. Stir in Sriracha sauce (if using).
5. Top with the peanuts and serve.

Chicken Alfredo Ravioli

Tender chicken combined with rich Alfredo sauce, earthy mushrooms, and delicate cheese ravioli; simmered together for just a few minutes until the rich flavors blend and the ingredients are hot. Serve with a crisp salad, garlic bread, and a simple plate of grapes for dessert.

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 9 oz. fresh cheese ravioli or chicken ravioli from the refrigerated section
• 1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained

Directions

1. Set a large stockpot over medium heat and whisk together the Alfredo sauce and chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer.
2. Add the chicken, ravioli, and mushrooms. Stir to combine.
3. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens, and the ravioli is tender, for about 5 minutes.

Butter Chicken

Enjoy this tasty Indian classic in minutes from your Instant Pot.

Serves: 4

Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, cut into pieces, boneless
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 pinch dried fenugreek leaves
• Cilantro, chopped, for garnishing

Directions

1. Set the instant pot on sauté mode. Add butter with onions fry for 6-7 minutes or till browned. Add garlic, ginger with chicken until no longer pink or cooked thoroughly.
2. Add all spices tomato sauce and mix well.
3. Cover with lid and cook for 8 minutes at high pressure.
4. When the timer goes off, press ‘cancel,’ and allow it to cool down naturally for about 20 minutes before attempting to open.
5. Now set the pot on sauté mode and add the bell peppers, cook for 4-5 minutes. After that add cream with fenugreek leaves. Sprinkle cilantro while serving. Enjoy.

Conclusion

To recap, if you find yourself without a kitchen due to renovations be sure to:

• Limit your meals to things that are very easily created within the space that you have.
• Get yourself some electric kitchen appliances.
• Set up a dedicated kitchen space that sort of resembles a kitchen, even if it has to be smaller. That way everything you need to cook is within reach.
• Get yourself a dedicated sink for cooking and cleaning up after you cook.

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