Your Vacation Kitchen

Many people rent houses or efficiency apartments for their vacations. This is great because there can still be home cooked meals , using local produce and products. it does mean packing extra - but just a few vital components of a kitchen away  from home. Pack light. Just have the basics on hand.

What to bring? None of your good stuff. Leave the La Creuset and Farberware back on the kitchen shelves. Go to your dollar store to get pots and pans. These can be used in any situation, from camping to indoor cooking.A saute pan is about the best bet. It can be used for making everything from French toast to pepper steak. Another must is a two quart pot , It can be used to boil small lobsters and , shrimp along with ears of corn. You can also boil potatoes in it for mashed as well as serving mashed potatoes in it. Some rentals will have barbecue grills. The owners may have left such staples as tongs and brushes along with turning forks.If no to either grill or implements, then consider a portable hibachi, Ace Hardware has a double one for only $11.99 while Lowe's has a more elaborate and sturdier one for $39.99. Remember that they're not just for the summer holidays. Both can be used in the fall for tailgate parties.As for the extras, you can buy them too, at your local dollar store or even hardware store in the town that you;re staying in.

What else to bring or buy? Good melamine plates are always needed. These are a sturdier type of plastic that won't crack  from too much use. These can be bought as a set at Target right now, in fun geometric patterns. While you;re there also pick up an inexpensive cutlery set  This last also can be bought at your local dollar store along with  a spatula and ladle. Should you invest in a good knife for holiday cooking. Yes, but don;t go overboard with an expensive one. Stop & Shop sells Farberware knives that work very well but for half the price of the more expensive brands. (this is actually my all time favorite knife that I use almost every day ).Another must is plastic containers that can hold any leftovers to take home.  These are also wonderful for containing any,, seafood fruit and veggies bought at local markets. Again these can be bought anywhere from  the Dollar Tree to Acme. They're also great for storing sandy little, flipflops and sandals as well as toys and sea shells. You usually have to bring bath  towels. Remember to bring just a couple of dish towels also along with two or three potholders.These can also  be used for oven mitts too. Every kind of store has these , and you could probably buy souvenir ones where you'll be staying.

You don't have to bring the entire kitchen and the kitchen sink along on your vacation.Just tote along the basics that you'll need. It'll make holiday cooking that much more easier.