Giada De Laurentiis' Tip You Need For Organizing Your Countertop
As appliances replaced household help during the 20th century, a spinning wooden tray used to make serving easy was nicknamed the lazy Susan. The functional appliance, which allowed us to overstuff dim sum tables and make cramped pantries more accessible, has found a new purpose in modern kitchens.
Seen in the background of many of Giada De Laurentiis' home videos, the celebrity chef uses a lazy Susan to organize frequently used pantry ingredients directly on her countertop. Her wooden lazy Susan is home to bottles of olive oil, a salt cellar, a pepper grinder, and other items the Italian chef routinely cooks with. This simple yet effective organizational tip keeps De Laurentiis' countertops tidy and places frequently used items within arm's reach as she prepares meals.
If this sounds like a solution for your kitchen, there are many options to match your decor. Lazy Susans are available in various materials, such as marble, acrylic, and metal. Choose one to match your countertop, or follow De Laurentiis' lead and pair her cold marble counters with a warm wooden lazy Susan. You will find them in a range of sizes, with or without sides (to prevent overzealous spinners from spilling ingredients).
Storing oil near the stove
While Giada De Laurentiis' organization tip for countertop pantry ingredients is clever, you should consider a few things before leaving cooking oils out. Minimally processed oils, like cold-pressed olive oil and delicate ones like walnut and avocado, can go bad quickly if left at room temperature. Similarly, homemade and commercially manufactured infused oils are more susceptible to bacteria growth, causing foodborne illnesses like botulism. Therefore, these oils fare better when stored in the fridge.
De Laurentiis' favorite olive oil, Lucini Italia's extra virgin olive oil, is suitable for all cooking. While some olive oil has a high smoking point, it's important not to place it directly next to the stove where ambient heat can compromise its quality and cause the 'liquid gold' to become rancid. Also, be mindful of heat-generating appliances like the dishwasher or an under-the-counter refrigerator. It's equally important to avoid placing bottles near a window in direct sunlight. Although dried spices are less perishable, heat will also degrade their quality, and moisture will cause clumping.
To prolong your oil's shelf life but still keep it out with frequently used ingredients, store it in an opaque or dark glass bottle. If your preferred brand is sold in clear plastic or glass, decant it into a new bottle with a stopper or lid to prevent oxygen from breaking it down. Properly wash your hands after handling raw meat before touching bottles, and routinely clean spice jars with a disinfectant to avoid cross-contamination.
Tips for organizing with a lazy Susan
Transform a section of your countertop into a coffee station using Giada De Laurentiis' clever organization tip. Place a lazy Susan beside your coffee maker to store all your morning Joe essentials, making your routine seamless. Add cute mugs, a sugar bowl, a small pitcher for dairy, flavored syrups, and any other caffeine-related accessory for a practical and attractive display. If you have the height, utilize a double-tiered lazy Susan to add a cute farmhouse sign, a collection of vintage silver spoons like the ones Ina Garten displays near her stove, and a decorative coffee canister.
The space can easily be updated to reflect holidays, seasons, and special occasions. You can even swap the function when hosting a party to hold essential bar ingredients. Place all the small bottles and jars that distinguish an exceptional home bar from others on an attractive lazy Susan: simple syrup, bitters, grenadine, and garnishes like maraschino cherries, olives, herbs, and citrus wedges.
In addition to organizing the pantry, a lazy Susan can declutter cleaning supplies under the sink. Place stainless steel, countertop, and glass cleaner on a 10-inch lazy Susan with a roll of paper towels or a stack of reusable microfiber clothes to address every type of mess you encounter in the kitchen. Utilize a second lazy Susan to house dishwasher detergent, sponges, and trash bags, or keep track of miscellaneous items like plant food that commonly get lost in the dark recesses.