How to Cook During Your Kitchen Remodel: 5 No Kitchen Dinner Ideas
Written by Artisan Contracting on April 18, 2022
You know your kitchen remodel will create some disruptions to your lifestyle. Although you’ll have your dream kitchen once the remodel is complete, it gets frustrating living sans kitchen for several weeks. Here we offer tips to set up your makeshift kitchen with five no kitchen dinner ideas to enjoy home-cooked meals with limited kitchen access.
1 – Create a Kitchenette
Create a “kitchenette” with these makeshift kitchen ideas so you can manage all your kitchen basics. To make it easier to manage creating actual meals you’ll need the following items:
- Temporary countertop ideas such as a fold-up table, roll away butcher block, roll away bar
- Bar fridge
- Blender
- Hot plate
- Crockpot/Instapot
- Electric kettle/Coffee machine
- Toaster oven
- Microwave
- Barbecue
- Dishpan or basin for a temporary sink
- 1 non-stick pan or an electric skillet
- 1 pot
This allows you to do pretty much anything. If you camp, pull out your camping kitchen gear to set up your makeshift kitchen.
2 – Cook Up a Storm Prior to the Renovations
If you have a freezer, cook up a storm making some of your favourite dishes to freeze. Then you can pop your meals into the microwave and not waste money or build up the calories eating takeout.
3 – Plan Your Meals in Advance
Plan your meals in advance so you know exactly what you need to add to your grocery list. This allows you to make the most of your tiny fridge.
4 – Simplify for Easy Cleanup
Use as few pots and pans as possible, think one-pot meals. You can also use foil paper for anything you heat in the toaster oven for easier cleanup. Use a good quality, recyclable plate brand so you can toss all the garbage in the compost. For a temporary kitchen sink during remodel, you can either use a basin or your laundry sink. The bathroom sink is usually far too small and not deep enough to manage doing the dishes.
5 – Make Easy Meals
Here are five meals to make in a kitchenette that are yummy and easy:
1. Barbecue
Unless the weather is terrible, use your barbecue to cook. It cuts down on dishes because everything can go directly on the grill or be cooked in foil pouches. You also can enjoy healthy, delicious meals throughout the renovation.
2. Stews
Stews are the ultimate one-pot meal allowing you to create scrumptious dishes ready when you get home. Throw everything into a crockpot or Instapot and voila, instant dinner. However, you can also cook the stew using your hot plate if you are home.
3. One-Pot Mac and Cheese
First, you boil your pasta and set it aside, then you make a cheesy sauce and dump the macaroni back in the pan to heat. Easy. You can do any of your favourite pasta and sauces this way.
4. Chilli
Chilli is a popular family favourite that cooks in one pot. You can use the hot plate, your Crockpot or Instant Pot. Leftovers can be eaten the next night with some burrito fixings served up in tortillas for an easy second meal.
5. Soup
Like stew, soup is an easy meal, with many recipes ready in 20 to 30 minutes. It also makes a great lunch the next day.
These no-kitchen meals are perfect for your temporary kitchen shutdown.
When you are ready for your kitchen to remodel, speak to the experts at Artisan Contracting.
