Spring has sprung! There’s nothing like opening your windows and smelling the freshly blooming flowers or being able to enjoy the outdoors without thick layers. With the start of a new season, it’s the perfect time to freshen up your kitchen. Here are some of our top tips for spring cleaning your kitchen so that it can feel as fresh as the air outdoors. Let’s jump on into it!

#1. Check Your Food For Expired Or Rotting Items

You’ll want to clean your fridge, freezer, and pantry as part of spring cleaning your kitchen anyway. If you’re doing a deep clean of these food storage areas, you’ll already be removing your food to do this, so it’s easy to check expiration dates and whether or not something has gone bad while doing this.

If you don’t have the time to do a deep clean, you can still do this. Plus, it will make it easier to clean your fridge/freezer/pantry when you do have the time if there isn’t expired food or food that has gone bad taking up shelf space.

Once you’ve gotten rid of anything bad or expired, consider whether or not you’ll actually use what you have. If you have things you can’t see yourself using, donate them to a food shelter. For everything else, put the items that will expire sooner at the front of your shelves so that you remember to use them before diving into the newer items.

#2. Declutter Your Kitchen

Most articles about spring cleaning your kitchen focus on the actual cleaning process. However, in order to clean your kitchen, you need to have your things tidied in order to be able to do a thorough cleaning anyway. A tidy kitchen is much easier to clean than one with clutter all over it. Thus, before you start spring cleaning your kitchen, declutter it.

If you have anything that you don’t use, you can donate or sell it. If you have anything that doesn’t work, you can see whether or not it can be repaired. If not, you can get rid of it. You may consider putting any small appliances that you don’t often use in a cabinet so that they aren’t taking up countertop space, like your toaster or panini press or what have you. 

It can be easy to place items that belong elsewhere down in your kitchen and forget about them. While you’re spring cleaning your kitchen, keep a bin nearby for anything that should go somewhere else. 

This is also a good time to organize your kitchen and ensure everything is in its appropriate place. If you have the time to clean, you can take things out and then organize them after you’ve cleaned. However, if you don’t have the time for cleaning, simply organizing can make a world of difference.

#3. Clean All Surfaces From Top To Bottom

We say top to bottom when spring cleaning your kitchen because if you were to clean your floors first and then the tops of your cabinets, the dust and debris from the tops of your cabinets could fall onto your freshly cleaned floor and make you need to clean it all over again. Don’t make more work for yourself! 

You can start with the tops of your cabinets and then work your way downwards through cabinet shelves, countertops, and then finally your floors. Remove items from surfaces before you clean them, and then you can clean off the items before you put them back. If you have any surfaces that need a special type of cleaner, like marble countertops, ensure that you clean them appropriately. 

Don’t forget about places like your backsplash and walls. Vacuum, wipe down, and polish as needed. You may need a small brush, like an old toothbrush, to really get into small, tough-to-clean places, like the garbage disposal splash guard.

#4. Clean Your Appliances

When spring cleaning your kitchen, don’t forget about your appliances! This includes your refrigerator coils and the drawer at the bottom of your oven. If you have a self-cleaning oven, you can run it. 

You may need to unplug your appliances before you attempt to clean them for safety purposes, as with your toaster. For other appliances, you may need to run some water and vinegar or lemon juice through them to loosen up stuck-on grease and freshen them up, like your coffee maker or microwave.

Follow guidelines for each appliance. The manuals that come with your appliances will tell you how to maintain them, so you can refer back to them if needed. 

These are but 4 steps to follow when spring cleaning your kitchen. Kitchen Kneads is here to help you with your kitchen needs. Contact us today to learn about the products and cooking classes we have available so that you can make the most of your kitchen once it’s nice and clean!

Authentic Irish dishes have much more to them than green dye or Irish cream, especially for St. Patrick’s Day, which is a national holiday in Ireland. If you’re looking for some authentic Irish dishes to try this St. Paddy’s day, look no further! We’ve got you covered.

Here is some interesting history about Irish food along with some authentic Irish dishes you can actually find on the Emerald Isle. Slainte! 

A Bit Of History About Irish Food

Irish food has evolved alongside centuries of sociopolitical change. This is why many foods that are associated with Ireland, like corned beef, aren’t actually Irish in origin. Traditionally, Irish food tends toward the simple and heartwarmingly rustic. This is because Irish cuisine was based around what people could raise themselves. Ireland was also prone to periodic famines, which affected what people ate.

For instance, did you know that corned beef isn’t actually Irish? The term “corned beef” was actually coined by the British – and due to British colonization of Ireland, it’s no wonder that while the Irish do eat corned beef occasionally, it’s not as popular as Americans would assume. The association between corned beef and the Irish actually comes from Irish Americans. 

Boiled bacon and other pork products have historically been the most eaten meats in Ireland. Cows were a sacred animal and a sign of wealth. As such, they were rarely eaten in the early days, but rather used for dairy products. Thus, most Irish people didn’t even eat beef until the British came. 

However, in America, pork was expensive, so Irish Americans turned to beef brisket, which was the cheapest meat. This combined with cabbage, which was one of the cheapest vegetables, gave Irish Americans a sense of home away from home. 

Such has been the case with many foods people commonly consider to be Irish. 

Delicious Authentic Irish Dishes To Try

Want to try your hand at some authentic Irish dishes for St. Patrick’s Day? We’ve got you covered with some fantastic ideas. From the well-known delights to ones you may not have heard of before, you’re sure to impress your guests.

#1. Boxty

Many cultures have their own versions of potato pancakes and Ireland is no different. Traditionally made with leftover mashed potatoes and grated raw potato, boxty is a delicious cross between a hash brown and a pancake. They also have flour and eggs to hold the pancakes together, as well as seasonings, like scallions. These make great snacks or sides.

#2. Soda Bread

When most Americans think of Irish soda bread, they think of something similar to barmbrack (listed below!) For an authentic Irish dish, soda bread was made on a griddle as a flatbread. It doesn’t have yeast, but uses baking soda (aka bread soda) as a leavening agent. Soda bread is typically round and cut into pie-like slices. You can adjust the recipe to include olive oil or sweeteners, if you like. 

#3. Colcannon

Colcannon comes from the Gaelic “cal ceannann”, for white-headed cabbage. This authentic Irish dish is basically potatoes that have been mashed with either cabbage or kale. After mashing, mix with butter or cream, as well as onions. As with any recipe, you can adjust as you like, like adding in some garlic.

#4. Carrageen Moss Pudding

Carrageen moss also goes by Irish moss. This is a type of seaweed that is gathered off the west and south coasts of Ireland. Contrary to what you may think, carrageen moss doesn’t taste like it came from the sea, but has a lovely gentle flavor. Carrageen moss pudding is served chilled with cream, soft brown sugar, and fruit compote, like poached rhubarb. You can also make an Irish coffee sauce and chocolate carrageen.

#5. Dingle Pie

Hailing from the Dingle Peninsula, Dingle pie is a savory lamb dish. Often made as hand pies, this has lamb and root vegetables with a hot water crust. If you truly want to go the route of the authentic Irish dish, use mutton fat instead of butter. You could also make this in a pan, and adjust the recipe to make it gluten-free.

#6. Dublin Coddle

There isn’t a singular recipe to follow for this authentic Irish dish, as coddles usually consisted of leftovers. Catholics weren’t allowed to eat meat on Fridays, so they would make coddles on Thursdays in order to use up the meat in the home. Make with sausage, potatoes, onions, and whatever else you like for a heart-warming stew.

#7. Barmbrack

You know how we mentioned that most people think of barmbrack when they hear “Irish soda bread”? When soda bread is made with fruits, it actually called a tea cake, like barmbrack. It is sweeter, but not as sweet as a cake. While typically made around Samhain or New Year’s Eve, you can make this authentic Irish dish for St. Patrick’s Day too. 

#8. Irish Apple Cake

This is another dish where recipes vary. Families throughout Ireland had their own versions of apple cakes that they would make during apple harvest season. It’s traditionally served with custard sauce, but you can use ice cream or nothing at all, if you like!

Do You Need Kitchen Supplies To Make Authentic Irish Dishes?

Kitchen Kneads has got you covered! We sell a wide variety of ingredients, appliances, and more to assist you in your baking and cooking ventures. We also offer cooking classes. Contact us today with any questions you may have about our products.

If you are gluten-free, then building a long-term food storage can be difficult. People who are gluten-free for the supposed health benefits have an easier time, because they don’t have to be as vigilant. However, for those who have a gluten-related medical condition, they need to be hyper-vigilant about what they put in their storage. 

Here’s what you need to know about building a gluten-free food storage.

Why Follow A Gluten-Free Diet?

A gluten-free diet is one that excludes wheat and some other grains, such as rye and barley. This type of diet is essential for those with Celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities, such as a gluten allergy. Gluten can trigger damaging immune system activity and other symptoms, such as bloating or rashes. People with Celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities need to take special care to avoid gluten for the sake of their health. 

There are also people who avoid gluten for its supposed benefits, but who do not have a gluten-related medical condition. It is believed that avoiding gluten can increase energy, promote weight loss, and improve your overall health. More research is needed to determine the effects of a gluten-free diet on people who do not need to be gluten-free.

What You Need To Do To Build A Gluten-Free Food Storage

Just because you or one of your loved ones needs to avoid gluten doesn’t mean that you can’t build a long-term food storage. With special care, you can rest assured that in the event of an emergency, you’ll have food that will both sustain you nutritionally and adhere to your dietary needs.

What Needs To Be In A Gluten-Free Food Storage?

A gluten-free food storage should be as nutritionally sustainable as any other food storage. The main difference between building a normal food storage and a gluten-free food storage is the fact that you need to ensure that what you store excludes gluten. This means storing items such as proteins, fruits and vegetables, and types of entrees that have alternatives to gluten.

What Are Gluten-Free Food Storage Essentials?

Nutritionally sustainable foods that can keep for years on end are your friend here. You especially want calorie-dense foods. This is because your body burns calories even when you don’t do anything. When you’re stressed, as happens in emergency situations, it burns even more. You need to be able to sustain yourself on what you have. 

Some of the ways that you can ensure that your food lasts longer include:

• Storing food items in airtight containers with oxygen absorbers. 
• Getting emergency food kits.
• Drying food, either with a freeze-dryer or another method.
• Preserving foods.
• And more.

Essentially, you just need non-perishable options in line with your dietary needs. Protein bars, dried meat, broth, and gluten-free pastas and the like are all good options. 

Is There Anything You Shouldn’t Put In A Gluten-Free Food Storage?

There are some common foods that people put into their food storages that you’ll want to avoid if you’re gluten-free. Most survival foods that you’ll find have gluten in them. These include protein bars and other types of highly processed foods.

However, there are gluten-free alternatives to these foods. When building your food storage, you’ll just want to do what you do already: double-check the labels to ensure that the item that claims to be gluten-free actually is. For extra safety, you can check the ingredients list for any added wheat or other types of gluten.

Will A Gluten-Free Food Storage Last As Long As A Normal Food Storage?

Survival foods are made to keep for a long time. Some can even last you 25 years. To answer the question, yes, a gluten-free food storage can last as long as any other food storage. It comes down to how the food is prepared and how it is stored. 

In order to help your gluten-free food storage last as long as possible, you can use airtight containers with oxygen-absorbing packets. For extra insurance, you’ll want to opt for water resistant containers. 

Storing your food in a dark, dry, insulated space gives it the best chance of lasting for as long as possible. You’ll also want to set up mouse traps, to protect your gluten-free food storage from any rodents that might get into it.

Are You Building A Gluten-Free Food Storage?

Kitchen Kneads can help! We carry ingredients that you can put into your storage. We also offer gluten-free cooking classes, so that you can know how to make foods that fit your dietary needs. If you have any questions about our products or classes, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!