Creative Cooking In An Apartment

The true test of a quality cook isn’t what they can do when they have everything at their disposal. It’s how well they can get deliciously creative when they are limited. Garden apartments are famously spacious, but we understand that it can be difficult to whip up a feast when entertaining. Pots, pans, ingredients, knives, cutting boards, plates— All of these things take up space and can make cooking more of a hassle in your apartment than a pleasure.
But fear not! By following these helpful tips and trying these recipes, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time!
The true test of a quality cook isn’t what they can do when they have everything at their disposal. It’s how well they can get deliciously creative when they are limited. Garden apartments are famously spacious, but we understand that it can be difficult to whip up a feast when entertaining. Pots, pans, ingredients, knives, cutting boards, plates— All of these things take up space and can make cooking more of a hassle in your apartment than a pleasure.
But fear not! By following these helpful tips and trying these recipes, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time!
Cooking Tips 101

All Garden Communities apartments have kitchens that are fully-loaded. Whether you need to sauté or bake, your oven and stove will do their jobs (with the right kitchen safety, of course). But that’s not all that you need to prepare a great meal.
TIP #1: Make sure you have these essential items in your kitchen:
- Cutting knives
- Cutting board
- Pots
- Pans/Skillets
- Mixing bowls
- Spatulas
- Serving/mixing spoons
- Baking dish
- Kitchen Towels
- Spices & Herbs
TIP #2: Buy fresh, local ingredients
One recipe made with fresh ingredients will always taste better than if it was made with lesser ones. Local farmers’ markets will often have produce that’s in season for your area, so be sure try recipes with the latest and greatest while it’s at its peak for the year.
TIP #3: Support your local grocery store
Buying food closer to your community will save you time and help you to enjoy the cooking process more without wasting time and energy driving all over town to pick up your groceries.
Here are some grocery stores near each of our Southwest Garden Communities:
LOS ANGELES COMMUNITIES:
- Ralph’s Grocery Store Farmer’s Markets:
- Raw Inspiration (Farmer’s Market) 14006 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
- Trader Joe’s Farmer’s Markets:
- Encino Farmers Market 17400 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406
- Tapia Brothers Inc. 5251 Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino, CA 91436
- Whole Food’s Market Farmer’s Markets:
- Raw Inspiration 14006 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
- Studio City Farmers Market 2052 Ventura Pl, Studio City, CA 91604
- Ralph’s Grocery Store Farmer’s Markets:
- Northridge Farmers Market & Family Festival 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324
- Good Life Organics 11024 Balboa Blvd Unit 27, Granada Hills, CA 91344
- Ralph’s Grocery Store Farmer’s Markets:
- Northridge Farmers Market & Family Festival 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324
- Ralph’s Grocery Store
- No Ho Halal Meat & Grocery Farmer’s Markets:
- Studio City Farmers Market 2052 Ventura Pl, Studio City, CA 91604
- NoHo Farmers Market5331 Bakman Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
- Trader Joe’s Farmer’s Markets:
- Encino Farmers Market 17400 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406
- Tapia Brothers Inc. 5251 Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino, CA 91436
- Trader Joe’s Farmer’s Markets:
- Toluka Lake Farmers Market 10225 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, CA 91602
- Tapia Brothers Inc. 5251 Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino, CA 91436
- NoHo Farmers Market5331 Bakman Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
- Bristol Farms Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers MarketUCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161)
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Smart & Final Extra! Farmer’s Markets:
- Mira Mesa Farmer’s Market10510 Marauder Way, San Diego, CA 92126
- PQ Certified Farmers Market9400 Fairgrove Ln, San Diego, CA 92129
- Bristol Farms
- California Keto Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers Market UCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Bristol Farms
- California Keto Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers Market UCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market 901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market 7335 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Bristol Farms Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers Market UCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market 901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market 7335 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Whole Foods Market Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers Market UCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market 901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market 7335 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Whole Foods Market Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers Market UCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market 901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market600 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101
- Harvest International Market Farmer’s Markets:
- Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market 901 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Pacific Beach Certified Farmers’ Market4150 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
- Vons Farmer’s Markets:
- Del Mar Farmers MarketCivic Center, 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers MarketUCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Bristol Farms
- California Keto Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers MarketUCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- Del Mar Farmers MarketCivic Center, 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
- Trader Joe’s Farmer’s Markets:
- UCSD la Jolla Farmers MarketUCSD Town Square, San Diego, CA 92161
- La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market7335 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Valley Farm Market6902 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Mother’s Market & Kitchen Farmer’s Markets:
- Irvine Farmers Market5001 Newport Coast Dr, Irvine, CA 92603
- Orange County Great Park Farmers Market6950 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618
- Marketplace Farmer’s Markets:
- Irvine Farmers Market5001 Newport Coast Dr, Irvine, CA 92603
- Saturday Farmers Market5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603
- AJ’s Fine Foods
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Appliance: Oven
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Resting Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Appliance: Freezer
- Time: 11-20 minutes
- Serves: 2
- Appliance: Stove
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6
- Appliance: Oven
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Appliance: Stove
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Appliance: Stove
- Prep time: 18 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4-6
- Appliance: Stove
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Appliance: Stove & Oven
- Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3
- Appliance: Stove
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Appliance: Oven
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Appliance: Oven
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Yield: 6
- Appliance: Freezer
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITIES:
LA Jolla Crossroads Apartments
IRVINE COMMUNITIES:
ARIZONA COMMUNITIES:
OKAY! Now that you have all your essential kitchen tools and you know where you can get the best ingredients close by, it’s time to get to the fun part—our incredibly creative apartment-friendly recipes!
Beautiful Breakfast & Brunch
Whether you need a family-friendly dish for a memorable Sunday morning, or you’re inviting the girls over for brunch, these are tried and true recipes with total “wow!“ factor.
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

Need something to feed a lot of people in the morning without the stress of a messy kitchen? Just prepare this beauty the night before and then pop it in the oven before your guests arrive or your kids wake up. Imagine walking into the kitchen with the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon in the air—this one is a win before they ever even taste it.
Breakfast Granola Cups

Want an impressive breakfast but don’t want to heat up your apartment by turning on the oven or stove? Then these granola cups are the answer you’ve been looking for! Want to talk about a crowd pleaser? This recipe is vegan, nut-free and gluten-free.
Blackberry & Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

It’s time to take grilled cheese to the next level. After all, cooking creatively means putting delightful twists on classic favorites. No picky eater can resist the sweet taste of blackberries, creamy goat cheese and warm, crunchy toast. Put them all together and you have a sandwich for a successful brunch. Pair this with a carafe of mimosa and your guests will be talking about the get together at your apartment for months!
Amazing Apartment-Friendly Appetizers
The best thing about “appetizers” is that they are great additions to parties, but they also can be a meal for a couple, or a snack for a family. Try these creative, apartment-friendly recipes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Butternut Squash and Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Want the flavors of fall without the heaviness of traditional recipes? Then this is the dish for you! Plus, it can be made year-round.
Strawberry Bruschetta With Honey Whipped Goat Cheese

Not only is this recipe a gorgeous one, but it just might give Italians a run for their money. Take classic bruschetta to the next level of deliciousness with a California-twist. Strawberries and goat cheese? Yes, please! No one will believe how simple this vegetarian appetizer is to make.
Taco Stuffed Avocados

If there are two things Californians love its tacos and avocados…but taco stuffed avocados? This low-carb crowd pleaser just might become a standard every game day. You’ll have people begging for the recipe!
Delectable Dinners
Dinner. It’s the one time that everyone in the family get’s to sit down together and enjoy a home-cooked meal. You want to know you’re making something that everyone will enjoy. We’ve got you covered. These recipes aren’t just super easy to make in an apartment, but they are downright delicious, too!
Red Curry Coconut Chicken

This super fast meal is a must try those who need a great meal and fast. Ready in 30 minutes, you can start as soon as you get home from work. The smell of Thai spices will have everyone’s mouth watering!
Sausage & White Bean Gnocchi

If you’re looking for an apartment-friendly recipe that covers are your basic food groups, then look no further than this Italian dish. It’s so savory no one will believe that you only need one skillet it to make it!
Vegetarian Lemon, Ricotta, Pasta & Spinach

What’s better than a dish that’s vegetarian? One that’s super fast to make and out of this world delicious. Whether you’re vegetarian or not, this is a dinner worth serving up in your rental apartment!
“You Made This?!” Desserts
Desserts are the most fun part of a meal, and making them should be fun, too! You don’t need to be a Cake Boss or a fondant master to make show-stopping, mouth-watering goodies. These are what will turn your Garden apartment kitchen into a culinary sweet.
Granny’s Monkey Bread

A favorite among kids and adults alike, monkey bread is a cinnamon-lover’s dream. If you’re looking for an activity to do with your kids for a holiday or just because this is one they can certainly help with.
Easy Blueberry Pie Bars

When pie meets cookie you have a dessert that’s in a league of its own. These bars are the apartment-friendly creative solution to satisfying everyone at your next get together.
Chocolate Chip Banana “Ice Cream” Cups

Here in California, things can heat up, which is why we love these “ice cream” cups! Health will adore these banana-based desserts, and kids will be asking for more. If you love to use the community fitness center, be sure to have these in the freezer for a cool potassium boost after your workout.
Your garden apartment isn’t just a rental—it’s your home. From making memories in the kitchen to getting out on the town, your community affords you the best of everything.