3 Smart Tips for Organizing a Lunch Station

(Image credit: I Heart Organizing)

There’s the obvious back-to-school prep — like stocking up on pencils, pens, and notebooks, maybe even a new lunch tote or backpack — but there’s another area that deserves consideration: your kitchen. With a little prep and organization in the kitchen, the transition from lazy summer to back-to-school will be a lot easier.

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(Image credit: Maria Siriano)

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy the flavors of caprese salad, make this quiche your next stop. To avoid a watery final product, we’re saving the tomatoes for the every end by topping this mozzarella- and basil-filled quiche with a juicy tomato salad.

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(Image credit: Jeff Roffman)

Homemade ice cream sandwiches are already pretty simple to make. You bake a dozen cookies, you fill them individually with ice cream, and then you freeze them to enjoy later. The only problem is the time it takes to individually scoop and portion all that cookie dough, and then you have to do the same thing with the ice cream. There is a much faster (and much better) way to make ice cream sandwiches for a crowd.

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I have a bit of a problem that I’ve long since known about: I am very enthusiastic about fridge organization. When I visit my dad, I spend more time pulling out items and rearranging things in his fridge than what may be deemed normal. When I lived with a whole slew of interns on a farm in Italy for the summer, I’d slip away after lunch to get things in our communal fridge in order. Call me anxious, call me crazy — but a messy fridge is just something I can’t do. So I’d like to pass the tricks I’ve learned from years of organizing on to you. Here are five tips for keeping your fridge nice and tidy.

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(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

Think of the freezer as a culinary time capsule where summer can be remembered all winter long. You’ll need just a few basic tools, a selection of produce, and about 30 minutes for each fruit, vegetable, or herb you want to preserve. Time to get started!

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(Image credit: Maria Midoes)

It’s hard not to be intrigued by a dish with a title like this. Leave it to the Italians to name a recipe that lends a few laughs. What the heck makes the water so crazy? Actually, not much at all, which is why you should ditch your original plans for dinner and make this simple, comforting recipe instead.

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Fish in Crazy Water

(Image credit: Maria Midoes)

Water, 99.9 percent of the time, is not crazy. Most of the time, it’s pretty boring, save for those times you decide to toss that lemon slice or a few fruit and herbs in it. I am not talking about that kind of water. In fact, this a water you wouldn’t throw back in a tall glass (although I wouldn’t judge you if you did); it’s a cooking water that comes from a little corner of Italy and it’s in that crazy 0.1 percent.

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(Image credit: Samantha Bolton)

“Beat the heat” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to alleviating the burn of spicy food. The myriad heat-inducing ingredients and their varying intensity can make matching cuisines with liquid counterparts seem like a constant battle.

But the cultures that developed irresistibly spicy foods also developed ways to relieve scorched palates. From creamy Mexican horchata to light lagers, complements exist that tame even the most tongue-searing dishes.

Across the spice spectrum, cold, low-alcohol beverages always work, but a little strategy can go a long way and keep you reaching for the next chile-laden bite. Read on for the complete guide to pairing your favorite beverages with all things spicy.

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