Dealing with Sharing a Kitchen

It has been awhile since I posted. One thing we learn in college is that things can change from one day to the next. I had issues with my roommates and had to move. I was moving into an apartment with three girls with an already established schedule and arrangement. Meaning we did family style dinners where one person would cook and we all shared food costs. If you and your roommates eat similar then that is fine go for it but if you are a picky eater or you have different food habits than the people you live with you may want to learn to cook for yourself, or get a meal plan. I still have a meal plan because I like to be able to eat on campus with my friends occasionally. It is also nice when you really don't want to cook or you don't have time to you can usually just pick something up. That being said this next semester I will be going back to my old routine where we all just do our own thing with food. This is the best choice for me since I am picky, not about certain foods I will eat, but about the quality and the way my food is prepared. The most important thing to remember is communicate with your roommates about the expectations of tools and food. You all share a kitchen and you should all get along. Here are some things to talk about:

• Food: what can be shared, what can't, Food storage (we all have our own shelves), Refrigerator space, Should everyone mark their food, cleaning the fridge, how long should stuff stay in the fridge, dealing with rotted food, allergies (severity and how to avoid accidents) 
• Kitchen tools: do you all have your own stuff and you only use your own stuff, what can be shared, 
• Cleaning: Dishwasher emptying, cleaning your dishes, dishes being left in the sink, cleaning of countertops and stove, Deep cleaning of the kitchen

All these thing are fights roommates get into. Make sure everyone is clear on what is expected. Do not assume anything. If the rule is that you all buy your own food then don't use something that isn't yours without asking. If you ask to use something like an egg, make sure you always replace it. Be respectful of others foods and tools. Overall, good communication is key. 

Kitchen Basics: Tools Edition

Now this list may look incomplete but these are just the things you need to start off a healthy kitchen. Now you may need to add different things, but for me this is what I needed and could be useful for a college apartment kitchen. So the list is as follows:

1. Crock Pot: I love my Crock Pot. Her name is Betty. Yes, I name my kitchen appliances (my coffee pot's name is Bella). Any way, Betty is great. I got a Crock Pot mainly because it is perfect for making soups. I can throw my soup together in the morning before class, stir is occasionally during the day and I have soup for days. 
2. Knives and a Cutting Board: These are really important, especially when you are cooking whole foods. Your knives do not have to be expensive just functional. I found some knives at Walmart for that come with their own blade covers and are pretty colors. I got three knives for under $10. I also bought a cutting board for about $8. It is important to get a board that is big enough but not too big that you cannot store it. Always keep your knives and cutting board clean. 
3. Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are great for portioning foods. When you go shopping before you put stuff away portion out foods like carrots and grapes. Your foods are more likely to get eaten if you don't have to take time to pull stuff out and portion it. Just grab it and go. Also, portion out junk food.  Stick the portions in the back of a top shelf this way you have just enough of your junk food but it is still harder for you to get to. 
4. Containers: Going off of the last one, to help portion foods out you should have containers as well. Having one big container and several smaller sizes is good. I use the largest container for the soup I make in Betty, but it can double as a mixing bowl. 
5. Egg pan and Pot: Again you do not have to go out and buy the most expensive pots and pans out there you really just need an egg pan and a medium size pot. The egg pan is perfect for not only eggs but single serving foods. The medium pot is best so that you can still make pasta, but also heat up one serving of soup.