Simple efficiency
The value of a small, handy container
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The frugal housewife buys staples in bulk to save on groceries. Even now, with just the two of us, I store big containers of flour, sugar, rice, and so on in my roomy pantry.
But a lot of kitchen activity involves needing only a little something to get the job done: a few tablespoons of flour, a little sugar, a pinch of salt.
Don’t haul out big bag or bucket for these matters. Arrange things so you have a small container right where you are working, of the staples you use the most.
Personally, I don’t like the feeling of digging into a sack or plastic bag to dust my counter to shape my loaves or sprinkle sugar on my cookie bars — to the point that I noticed I wouldn’t make a quick gravy, just because it’s not easy, efficient, or nice to deal with the big container.
I cringe a bit when I see someone (often doing a demonstration online, and that’s what triggered this post, to be honest) reach way into a giant sack to add a little seasoning to something. If sugar, then one’s hands are all sticky and have to be washed! Adding yet another step when we’re trying to get a job done.
Reaching into that sack makes my tactile issues twitchy! I think this can hold me back from being a cook who is a bit extra, whether it’s thickening the sauce or seasoning it.
And spices bought in bulk last longer if you don’t always expose the whole quantity to the air. Keep some sealed up and tucked away (I keep many in the deep freezer), with the “working amount” nearby.
Mason jars to the rescue (or here’s where we can indulge our jar fixation and pick out just the right special one we’ve been hoarding).
Have you ever seen a vintage or antique salt cellar or box? They are so sweet. Your main supply can be in the cupboard, but have salt right next to the stove, in a pretty container.
Think about the exact steps you would like to take and not take: do you want to unscrew this jar with possibly wet or meat-juice hands? Maybe a container with a lid that isn’t sealed, for sugar or salt, works best, with a dedicated spoon in there.
Thanks for being here! Apply my thoughts to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!
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Yes! And may I ask what you use to dust your flour? I am using one of those dollar store powdered sugar containers, but still looking for something that feels right. I have 5 gallon buckets of flour tucked away, and a pretty jar from canned peaches that keeps 6 cups on my counter, labeled with sharpie covered with clear nail polish (new tightwad delight- labeling pretty jam jars for these special purposes).