Hey there, sweet readers! How is your world spinning? We’re chugging along, trying to stay calm under the pressure of having every room of our house in total upheaval. I mean, I know it’s just the kitchen that’s under renovation, but we have all of the kitchen bits and pieces in every other room of the house: our kitchen table in the bedroom, boxes of kitchen contents stacked up in my studio, the freestanding bar in the man cave, the appliances in the garage. Even the guest bathroom bathtub is full of cleaning supplies!
Because every part of our kitchen is scattered throughout every room in our house other than the kitchen, it’s been tough creating a shopping list or easy meal ideas. But I think I’ve done it – I think I’ve created the ultimate kitchen renovation meal plan! Cheers, applause and a pat to myself on the back, wha wha!
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kitchen renovation meal plan
Every kitchen renovation is different: some get to keep the fridge, others don’t – ours does. Some people have toaster ovens and microwaves, ours don’t. Here is what our kitchen still contains:
- crock pot and liners
- grill
- toaster
- panini press
- large metal spoon
- sharp knife
- cutting surface or board
- large bowl
- disposables: paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, foil
With that in mind, here is a meal plan that uses minimal tools and prep, that can be cooked or reheated with the appliances we still have.
Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken | don’t rinse the chicken as instructed, there is no need
Crock Pot Southwestern Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Vegan Brown Rice Mexican Bowl | I would eliminate the homemade salsa and do store bought to limit dirty dishes and save time
Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas
Slow Cooker Tips: use crockpot liners to reduce clean-up mess, whisk/shred/mix inside the slow cooker bowl to reduce dishes needed, soak the bowl and/or fill with water and dish soap to wash other dishes.
Grilling Recipes
Foil Grill Packets | you can use virtually any vegetable for this recipe!
Brown Sugar Salmon | modify this recipe for the grill by not melting the butter and cooking over medium-high heat for approximately 10-15 minutes, grilling the asparagus and potatoes brushed with oil in a foil packet or grill basket
Beer Can Chicken Recipe | don’t rinse the chicken as instructed, there is no need
Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets | melt the butter over the grill if you don’t have a microwave available
Other Grilling Ideas: take and bake pizza, pre-made kabobs, any meat (obviously) with any seasoned veggie. You can also re-heat meals on the grill with a cast iron skillet or over foil.
Panini Press Recipes
Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich | maybe use pre-cooked bacon instead
Blueberry Basil & Goat Cheese Panini Sandwich | who says you can’t eat gourmet without a proper kitchen??
Other Panini Maker Ideas: reheat leftovers, upgrade any simple sandwich, make quesadillas, cook bacon or hash browns. The options are endless with a panini maker (see here for proof!).
Other kitchen renovation meal plan ideas
1.) Are you a planner and prepper? If you have time and a freezer big enough, prepare some meals in advance to reheat on the grill. You can also freeze pre-cut meats in marinade to soak up the flavor until you are ready to cook.
2.) Create your own chartreuse boards with cheeses, meats, crackers, breads, olives, relishes, nuts and dried fruits.
3.) Need ideas for healthy and easily prepared foods you can grab on the go? Larabars, instant oatmeal packets (prepared at work, of course!), string cheese, nuts, Sabra hummus and pretzel packs, fruit, yogurt, crackers, Sargento cheese and nut bowls, and rotisserie chicken (portioned out into baggies). There are so many possibilities, these are but a few to get you inspired!
Have you gone through a kitchen renovation? How did it go? What did you eat? Any tips or tricks? I’d love to know!
