Ideas for Cooking Without a Kitchen

Personally, I am too envious that you're getting a new kitchen and I am not....

Ahem, ok, I'm over it.

You can do everything on the grill and a crockpot. Even pasta and rice can be done in a crockpot. I don't think you'll be making cookies anytime soon though!

:)

do pizzas on tortillas on the grill
french bread pizza on grill
grill chicken/steaks/chops on the grill
wrap potatoes in foil to grill - same with veggies
use frozen steamer veggies in the microwave
make pancakes/French toast on griddle
use an electric skittle to saute just about anything
Crockpot for roasts, stews, whole chicken, chicken breasts, soups

T uThese ladies have great meal ideas but I wanted to address the handwashing and dishwashing issues. I've done a lot of camping and I've also served food at festivals. Buy a large Igloo drink dispenser and set it up where you will make food raised on a table with a smaller table or stool under it with a bowl. Fill it with hot water and use like a faucet to wash your hands. Then set up a station of 2-3 dishpans--washing, rinsing, sanitizing (for dishes that touched raw meat)put the Igloo over the second one. This will ensure you rinse them well and won't get contaminated by bathroom bacteria. You can set this up anywhere, 1 capful of bleach goes in the last dishpan only leave dishes in there for 7 to 30 seconds to disinfect. Hot soapy water goes in the 1st pan, n o water in the second, it's for catching the rinse water from the igloo. Set it up close to where you cook.

Get a crockpot and some disposable crock pot bags! Look at a crock pot cookbook - there are all kinds of meals you will be able to make. By using the disposable crock pot bags, you can dispose of the leftovers and just wash out the crock pot and lid without any food residue to deal with. They were in the section of the store with the food storage bags (like baggies). I probably do that two days a week. I put vegetables in the bottom, meat on top of them and let it cook. Dinner is easy and so is clean up. I would resort to using paper/plastic disposable ware during your remodel. Good Luck! It will all be worth it when you have your new kitchen!

You can use a crock pot. You could buy a coleman type propane camping stove (use outside only) or an electric burner. They make single electric burners that are just like an electric stove burner, you just plug it in. I bought my parents one when they were remodeling their kitchen, it was only like $20 or so. I don't usually use paper products, but I think in your case, I would - paper plates and cups too maybe..........I would still use real silverware vs plastic. I don't think doing dishes in the tub is too bad. It's easier than doing dishes while camping!!! LOL! Might want to get a catch thing for the drain so food pieces don't get washed down and create problems.

Pre make hamburgers, hot dogs, marinated chicken, any meat you can grill basically and store in your fridge or freezer to pull out to grill. Make extra of the chicken to use in salads - and google different recipes for salads. You can get really creative there with most of your ingredients being stored in your fridge. Use your microwave to heat canned or frozen veggies. Make baked potatoes in the microwave and load them up with chicken, cheese, whatever you like.

Could you pre-make some dinner casseroles to keep in your freezer and then kindly ask a neighbor if she would mine baking it for you?

You'll definitely be doing dishes in the bathroom sink or tub, but try to use paper plates and plastic utensils so you're not slaving over a tub every night. It's not eco-friendly, but it's not forever.

Good luck and congrats on a new kitchen!

You can use the grill with pots and pans the problem is they are left with black markings. You can pick up a camping stove (and even a camping sink) and keep it near your grill (they are usually two burners and you use a small propane tank). This way you can still make regular meals.

I would not spend the money on a camping sink just use a large Rubbermaid tote to wash them and a separate one to rinse (or a hose).

No need to eat out and spend extra money...

Crockpots - meaballs subs, hot dogs, soup, stews
Electric Skillet - grilled cheese, pork chops, burgers, boneless chicken breasts or strips, beef or chicken for tacos or fajitas (eggs and/or meats for breakfasts)
No Cook Options - sandwiches/subs, salads
Prepare some things ahead and freeze...then thaw and reheat - Lasagna, Stew (so you don't have to prep with no kitchen), even the meats that could be cooked in an electric skillet.

For breakfasts options...pancakes (premade and just heat up in toaster or microwave), poptarts, cereals

These will get you through a week with little dishes if you utilize paperplates and plasticware.

I would grill everything, and use paper plates/cups/bowls/silverware.

1. burgers
2. hot dogs
3. steak
4. chicken
5. grilled pizza
6. grilled eggplant and mozzarella cheese (if the kids don't like eggplant, give them grilled cheese sammies.

for breakfast:

1. microwave instant oatmeal
2. toaster oven waffles
3. sliced bananas and pb
4. cereal
5. cottage cheese and fruit
6. hard boiled eggs

for lunches:

1. sandwiches
2. hummus and pitas and veggies
3. wraps
4. progresso soup

Oh yeah, and crockpot meals!

I'm not one for paper plates and plastic cups but this would be a time I'd use them!
Do you have a crock pot? That's easy, and you can plug it in almost anywhere.
How about a camp stove? I have a little two burner Coleman stove with propane. We have used it several times over the years to cook outside, it works great! If you have a hose and a large tub you can wash dishes outside too (of course that only works if you have a camp stove to heat up some dishwater.)
Other than that, you can make lots of sandwiches, fruit and salads I guess.
Congrats on the new kitchen!

What about freezing meals beforehand?
http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/freezer-cooking-planners

We redid our kitchen recently. I used my crockpot a lot. Use the crockpot liners for easy cleanup. Stock up on all your paper products - plates, cups, bowls and plastic utensils. The grill is also great.

There are some nice toaster ovens out there that can cook at regular oven temperatures. Size is smaller, but it could work well for you to cook stuff that tasts better when it's not cooked in the microwave. I think I cooked a pork loin (the little skinny ones) in a toaster oven cause they go up to 450F.

Crockpot, grill, sandwiches , salads. You would be surprised how creative you can get without thinking about it. I did it for six weeks and it never really presented a problem. This was wintertime, so no grilling. Bathtub it is for dishes. Can't change that

Panini maker (sandwiches dirty few dishes)
I'd use my Vita-mix blender for fruit smoothies in the morning with toast. that way with limited cooking and lots of eating out, you still manage 5 servings of fruits and veg in one glass (I add kale to mine).

mango, corn and bean salad is a great one for eating out of cans and a one dish meal. add fresh tomato and cilantro and dress with vinegar and oil. Serve with a crusty french bread. Easiest healthy meal ever!

Veggie burgers

I love my toaster oven.

Baked potatoes
Roast veggies, like eggplant, tomatoes

Make toast, bagels, toaster waffles

I even make single pies in mine.

Paper plates, styrofoam cups, plastic flatware, napkins, disposable things like frozen dinners don't require pots and pans or anything. Lasagna, take out pizza and a salad-no dirty dishes at all, soup from a can...all sorts of stuff.

We had the fridge at one house and were living at the new house. We didn't have a single dirty dish the whole month.

How about fixing cedar plank salmon, campfire veggies and salad? None of these items really require cooking dishes or utensils except for a bowl for the salad, a paring knife, and a set of tongs. The package of cedar planks usually has instructions for preparation or you can google it. Campfire veggies are a snap and a great alternative to the microwave since you will already have the grill fired up for the fish. Simply cut up your favorite veggies into chunks - broccoli, mushrooms, onions, yellow squash, etc. - and place in the middle of a large section of heavy duty tinfoil. Season with garlic pepper or whatever you like. Top with 3 or 4 ice cubes and seal up the foil to create a pouch. The ice will melt to create steam which helps to cook the veggies. Place the foil pouch on the grill and cook to desired done ness. Voila! Dinner with minimal dishes. Congrats on your new kitchen!

I like TalkstoTrees/Jackie's idea for dishwashing. Of course, you can alternate with paper plates as a time saver.

You can do a LOT with a grill (veggies, "baked" potatoes and toppings, meats, etc)/ You can probably modify some "camping" menus (and I bet it will be fun for the kids..make it an adventure!). And it's already warm out in TX I'm sure, so you can do a lot of "cold" type foods as well (salads, pasta salads, sandwiches).

Have fun, and congrats on the new kitchen!