August Cooking Is All Based Around …

Closing out the summer and … dreaming 💭

Aug 06, 2024

I have one goal when we first start buying seeds and plants in March … It’s to grow one thing really well and be able to enjoy it in the kitchen. Success!

A cool, wet spring meant many of my cold-weather plants simply didn’t produce. I had one small head of cauliflower and a little mixed lettuce and arugula. But we finally pulled it all out and composted it in July to make way for other things.

My flowers - oh, my dreams of growing bouquets. Yes, they are finally starting to poke their heads up and flower a bit. But it’s my second sowing after feeding the slugs well in the early months. No bouquets as of yet. But I do smile at them every day as I visit and water. That’s enough, right? 😎

Yet the reason I’ve become so attached to my garden is the gorgeous days of summer, when it hovers in the 80s and 90s for days. You arrive in the garden every evening, only to find vines crawling up six, seven inches or more every day. Zucchini going from tiny to HUGE overnight! And the tomatoes ripening on the vine. Mmm …

This month’s August Motivation will cover …

Cookbook Time!

I’m a cookbook nerd. I love the plant-based cookbooks that get into the nitty-gritty of nutrition. When someone referred me to this month’s selection, I knew I was a goner from the title, How To Eat Better by James Wong.

How To Eat Better: Simple Science to Supercharge Your Nutrition
By James Wong

Did you know that one-fifth of the antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet come from beer and wine? Just another tidbit you’ll learn from this gorgeous book. How can that be when you hear from so many sources that wine and beer are bad for you?

It’s because casual drinking is usually done in a group. If you’re out with friends and enjoying a bottle of wine, you're being social. You’re laughing, talking, communicating. You’re having a good time. Which gives you a host of benefits.

Which grape offers you the most? You’ll have to check James’ cookbook for the answer. 😉

7 Things Required For My Dream Kitchen

These ideas are going to surprise you

I LOVE the concept of creating a dream house. (Even though I’ve actually never done it, and have no desire to do it in the immediate future.)

What I have done though is lived in nine homes in our 37 years of marriage, so I do know a thing about working in different kitchens.

Currently, we rent by choice. We’ve chosen not to own because we’re unsettled about what to do in our future. We see ourselves traveling more, possibly living in different parts of the world. We haven’t made any decisions yet, and love where we are. So for now, renting works for us.

But that means I’m stuck with a kitchen that is anything but my dream kitchen. It’s on the smallish side, has a refrigerator I would trade in if given the chance, and doesn’t have a pantry. (We’ve converted a storage closet just off the dining room into a pantry. We lovingly call it Omar after purchasing OMAR shelving units at Ikea!)

We have a Street Of Dreams here in my city. Every summer, builders come together and build 7 to 10 top-of-the-line homes showcasing what they consider to be “best of the best.” They include the latest technology, showcase the latest designs, and at the end, give awards for different things. (best in show, best kitchen, best landscaping, etc.)

A few years ago, I fell in love with the kitchen. It was a chef's dream. It had a double refrigerator labeled a “plant-based” fridge with shelves and drawers to allow you to keep all of your fruits and veggies fresh longer. It had a small gardening room off the kitchen, with a door to the outside kitchen garden. Rows of fresh veggies in raised beds that would keep any home gardener happy.

I walked around that kitchen, jotting notes. I took a few photos. We went back and visited that house twice, just for the kitchen.

We didn’t buy the house, but I haven’t forgotten that kitchen.

If I ever design my dream kitchen for real, that kitchen will be my inspiration.

A Dream Kitchen Starts With A Dream

A dream kitchen can mean many things. Do a search and you’ll go down a rabbit hole of ideas - I know, I did. Companies try to sell you everything to make your home more beautiful, more organized, and more efficient.

I asked ChatGPT, and I actually liked the answers. It said it should have a functional layout with an efficient work triangle to ensure good flow between sink, stove, and refrigerator. It needs quality appliances and tailored storage solutions, including a well-organized pantry. Durable countertops and flooring that are easy to clean and maintain. And personal touches that make your kitchen uniquely your own.

What more do you need?

And I’ve learned that well over the years, especially as we travel around the world. We often stay in Airbnbs so we can have access to kitchens. All you really need are basic appliances, a few pots and pans, a refrigerator to keep your food cold, and a stove for cooking. Water for clean-up and counterspace for prep work. The rest is just icing on the cake.

My rented home has a nice kitchen. Nothing fancy, but enough to get the job done. It’s open concept with tall ceilings and a door to my outside living space.

Because I’m happy here, I’ve often labeled it my “current dream kitchen.” Because it’s not about the kitchen itself, but what I create within. I’ve changed my definition at the moment. Instead of dreaming big about the kitchen itself, I’ve created ideas that help me create dream kitchen experiences instead. These are my best-of-the-best ideas that help me create gorgeous meals whenever I wish. (Without a ton of money to turn it into a gourmet kitchen.)

Here’s what I consider to be necessary for a “current dream kitchen.”

High-Quality

This isn’t about any one thing. And yet, it’s about everything. I had a can opener that frustrated me every time I used it. So one day, I gave it away, and did my research to buy an exceptional one. Nothing fancy or electric - just a high-quality crank model, and it made all the difference.

That’s what I mean by high quality. Don’t skimp on what you DO buy. Go for the best. Trade in things that frustrate you and purchase high-quality replacements. Whether it’s a bowl, an appliance, or an ingredient.

Knife

Skip knife sets. What you truly need is a workhorse that gets the job done. I’ve had a set forever, and I finally gave it away and invested in the knives I needed instead. Like this one.

With a great knife, it’s more fun to chop. And that’s important with a plant-based diet. If you aren’t sure of your knife skills, a quick search can lead to many classes on the best way to chop. You can also start here to learn which is the best knife to suit your needs.

Skip the knife sets. If you really want to get into plant-based cooking, get a good one to chop. And start chopping!

Easy Access

I’ve got a pantry full of bags - lentils in every color, beans in many varieties, quinoa, farro, barley, millet … They’re lined up and waiting for me to use.

I reach in there every day as I’m creating lunch or dinner. Naturally, some things I use more than others. Like brown lentils - I include them in salads and soups. And farro - it’s my go-to grain.

Instead of leaving the ones I use most in the pantry, I invested in glass jars to use as a part of my decor. I fill them up with my most popular ingredients, having them near me while I’m measuring, cutting, and cooking.

Here's the thing; if you’re near them, you're more likely to use them. And I love the way they look! Why not make your dream kitchen all about good, nutritious food! A bowl of lemons looks divine. A bright vase says “fill me” - and I happily do it every chance I get.

Pick your favorite parts of your kitchen. Make them easy access, and keep using them!

Cookbooks

I believe a house isn’t a home until it has books in every room. I also believe a kitchen can only bring joy if you have well-loved cookbooks on the shelves. If you have traditional cookbooks, it’s time to box them up and put them away. (Unless they're meaningful, of course.) Then load your shelves with plant-based cookbooks, things you’ll use every day to bring new recipes into your life.

You are following my Cookbook Club, aren’t you? This gives you a new cookbook to play with every month. I use these in my own kitchen and LOVE them. They each bring something special to your kitchen joy.

Fun

Every chore can be a chore if you approach it that way. Making the bed. Folding towels. Vacuuming. Ugh. Will it never end?

This sounds over simplistic and I know it. I may never enjoy folding towels (my least favorite chore) but I’ve made my kitchen a place I LOVE entering every single day. It’s about changing your mindset, and a little bit more. Every corner holds something exciting I can’t wait to dig into.

Like the windowsill above my sink. My daughter brought me a small plant as a surprise. I was in a hurry, and didn’t know where to put it. So I threw it on the windowsill and forgot it. I found I LOVED having it there. It loved the sun, flowering for weeks on end.

It eventually got too big for that tiny space, but I went on the hunt for new plants. Because they made me smile. They’re fun! It really is the little things.

Color

I can’t say enough about adding a pop of color into your kitchen. You can do it in so many ways: bright mixing bowls, a flowered apron, accessories in vibrant shades.

Want a deeper dive? I talk about color here:

Roots!

Those Diet Books are holding you back

It’s May…

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Lighting

Renting means you can’t make permanent changes to a kitchen, but you can make it your own. Ever spent time in a dark kitchen? It’s hard to get excited about chopping and creating. But lighting doesn’t have to be hard-wired into the room, you can find amazing plug-in lights .

Like this pendant light. With a small hook in the ceiling, you can place it over a bar or island, move the cord over to the wall, and have instant lighting. Plus a pop of color - win/win in my book.

So there you go. I believe simpler is always better. It doesn’t take a lot to start enjoying what you have a little bit more.

Whether you rent or own, what does your dream kitchen include?

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