New Kitchen on a budget

Hi!!!

I'm back, sorry for the delay, been so busy. I believe I mentioned I wanted to start a catering business, so I have began the process. I catered a small party last weekend and I must say it was a success!! I made mini croquettas (from scratch) and mini beef and chicken empanadas. I also made open faced Sun-dried Tomato Tuna Pate Canopies. Just a fancier way of saying open faced sandwiches.

As I began to prep Friday afternoon for the Saturday night festivities, I realized I really am not equipped to handle mass production. Keep in mind I had to make 240 mini Tapas and that is not a lot, this required plenty of frig space, counter space and of course space for my equipments. As I prepared my delicious Tapas with minor difficulties my mind began to tick tock. Thoughts ran through my head on how I can improve my kitchen space, suddenly it hit me... I sketched out in my head exactly what I wanted to do.

1st - I need my pots and pans accessible to me at all times, they have been hidden in the stove, under the cabinets under a pile of other pots and pans and bowls and stuff! AAAHHH!!! I can't stand it! I have been shopping around for a pot hanger but damn are they expensive, the cheapest one is about $100 and only hangs like 5, what am I going to do with that...? So I kept brainstorming, then, ah huh!! Pegboards, yes pegboards... I have the wall space why not, so I went to home-depot and bought 2 pegboards for only $6.95 each, 2 satin colonial red spray paints at $3.00 each. Went home and sprayed away. WOW! I am in love... I had my dear boyfriend measure and cut out the boards to fit the wall space. Now I have a very country, warm and fun display of my pots and pans on my walls.

2nd - I needed a bigger frig. Of course since I am on a budget I had to do some research, my friend told me about an appliance warehouse that is stocked with refurbished appliances or appliances that might have small damages from the manufactures but still in excellent condition. I went for it, I marched right into the warehouse and there she was, a 33" Stainless Steel double door-bottom freezer LG. She was a beauty and I wanted her. My budget for a frig was about a grand, "NO MORE" I said to myself. Trying to hide my excitement I asked how much...? What? How much? OMG I knew she was meant for me... It only cost me $600, yeah brand new never used Stainless Steel LG for only $600. It only has a very small dent and scratch on the freezer door. Other then that she is PERFECT!!

Last but not least counter top make-over. This kitchen is a little outdated, kinda has a retro 70's look to it. I love it but could use a little updating. The counter top was a lime green color and the cabinets are a dark unfinished wood. I love the wood but hated the lime green counter top. Of course researched on that too and came across a few low budget options. There is this Granite imitation spray painting, I thought about it but as I read the blogs and comments on this product, for the most part the product is not food safe, so on to the next idea. My mom is always looking to improve her place (I guess I got it from her) so she bought an adhesive Granite imitation paper from Walmart. At first I wasn't convinced that it would look good, maybe because she really didn't do a great job in applying the paper on her counter but as I shopped for a few things in Walmart I saw the roll of paper and for just $5.95 a roll I thought to myself I might be able to pull off a new counter top. So I went for it. What a major difference! I couldn't believe it, it gave my counters a totally new look but keeping it's retro 70's look. Good choice mom, thanks!

So you can see I have been petty busy making over my kitchen on a budget. I am still not quite done, I have to paint and for my biggest project, an add on counter with bottom racks. I can't wait to continue my on a budget kitchen make over.

P.S. I forgot to take some before pictures, but I will try my best to have some before and after so you guys can see and comment.

Talk to you soon!
Cyndi

The Beginning

Where do I start...? Well I'm on the verge of a new beginning... What a cliche. But it's true, after many years of slaving over tons and tons of paper making someone else rich I got the boot. This damn economy, yeah I'm blaming it why not, everyone else is. Anyhow, I sort of wanted and needed a new change in my life but didn't have the guts to make the move. I suppose I should thank the economy for laying me off. I went back to school to get a degree on what I love to do the most and that is cook. Damn but so many people beat me to it. Everywhere I turn there is someone talking about food and how much they love doing it. Everyone wants to be the next TOP CHEF. Gees where does that leave me? It leaves me way in he back. So this means I have to do something extraordinary and different. I have to stand out from all these other chef wanna-bees (just like me).

Ahhh!!! What can I do to be different? I have an inspiration and boy does he have an appetite. But I still need more, I need something else something that jumps out at people and says "look at me I'm special"... I guess I have to keep looking and searching for something exciting and innovating.

This is all for now... I will post up some new and creative recipes for you all to try at home.

Talk to you soon!
Cyndi