Limited kitchen space in your condo loft is not equal to a limited menu! There are lots of easy yet delectable meals that will satisfy not only your tummy but also your palette. We will let you in on an insider trick in making the gastronomic meals that don’t require you cooking up a storm every time.
What Is Meal Prep?
Meal prepping, in theory, is cooking ready-to-heat dishes in batches. You simply store them in the fridge in containers then pop them in the microwave when it’s time to gobble it up. Thus, it gets you through day by day and saves you the tedious task of answering, “What will we have for breakfast/lunch/dinner?”
The following are some tried and tested tips to make a 5-star course happen in your mini kitchen:
1. Make a Meal List
This part might be the most meticulous. However, the time you take to sit down and dwell on what you want to eat will determine your whole menu for a week. List down the basics but also don’t forget to indulge in your favorites.
Balance the easy-to-prepare ingredients with ready-to-eat ones. While a salad with greens and protein is a healthy and balanced meal you can quickly put together, it wouldn’t hurt to store a couple of ramen packs you can cook in your microwave for those clutch moments.
2. Shop For Groceries Once a Week
In this case, your condo might not be forgiving for a fully stocked fridge and pantry. So, the best way to put every ingredient to use is to have weekly groceries. After you furnish your list, only shop for the things you need, plus some extra snacks and treats.
For example, a pack of bacon strips can not only be air-fried but can also appear on your salad and omelets. So, food that goes more than one way will help you avoid spoilage. Happy and healthy meals can be possible with a structured meal plan.
3. Assign a Day for Cooking
For major meals throughout the day, you can pre-cook meals that you could quickly microwave throughout the week. Pork adobo, salmon bowls, cheesy baked potatoes, beef and broccoli—these are just some meal ideas that you can easily cook up and store in the freezer for later.
Meanwhile, refrigerator meals like overnight oats, smoothie bowls involve only a bit of preparation and require no heating. Anything with a few simple yet flavorful ingredients will satisfy your appetite without having to toil in the kitchen all day, every day.
4. Invest in a Great Microwave
Some microwaves offer more than just heating options. Grilling, defrosting, and even air frying are some features that many microwaves already have. It will make meal prepping a lot more trouble-free that you might never go back to the traditional way! An appliance with multifunctional features makes your small space feel like an estate.
5. Proper Storage Matters
Apart from the appliances, a large part of meal prepping is storage. Essentially, the premise is to make your food last for the planned time frame. So, freezer-safe and air-tight containers are essential in preserving food until it is ready for consumption. Because you will cook these meals beforehand, it will benefit you, in the long run, to pack them properly. It saves you from wasting food because of spoilage.
6. Plan. Prep. Eat. Repeat.
Residing your own condo unit means making the most out of simplified living. With these simple steps, you will look forward to mealtimes more! Feel free to tweak the timeline and adjust portions according to your lifestyle and schedule. It works for a solo dweller, a couple or a small family. So get your creative juices flowing and brainstorm your own condo menu. A meal prep session well spent makes for a week of content!