Book

The Minimalist Kitchen

Book Availability Update

(7/1/20) After a long delay, due to a merger and consolidation of my publisher, in which time my book sold out, The Minimalist Kitchen is back on shelves again. I’m so excited to get this back in your homes! 

Thank you for your patience and support,

—MELISSA 

I wrote you a book!

The Minimalist Kitchen: The Practical Art of Making More with Less is a cookbook, but more importantly, it’s a framework for creating a minimalist kitchen, a kitchen pared down to the essentials. This framework touches everything from your ingredients, tools, and pantry, to your cooking techniques, meal planning, and shopping habits. Once the framework is in place, you can make 100+ mix and match recipes. Creating a minimalist kitchen is counterintuitive. You pare down so you can create more.

It’s true what they say—less is more. But this is also true—achieving simplicity is difficult. How do you know what to keep and what to get rid of? This comprehensive guide will hold your hand through the process and make dinnertime (and the kitchen) feel doable again.

Video production by Tucker Fox.

For best results, read this cookbook like a novel, from the beginning. Chapter 1: The Minimalist Kitchen sets the stage for how to make and use the recipes, Chapters 2–8. The recipes are mini allegories (delicious allegories) for using a pared down kitchen to its full potential. They are the practical application of the minimalist kitchen. If you’d like more guidance in paring down your kitchen, I created a 4-part course to break the process down. Start here. (This course is currently closed.)

You’ll find the recipes to be vegetable-forward and simple without compromising flavor. They’re intentionally designed to fit the rhythm of the week and labeled weekday, weekend, and make ahead accordingly. Weekday recipes are quick and efficient, while weekend recipes are slower and celebratory. Some recipes have make ahead components to increase efficiency and break up prep times. Note: You’ll find ingredient lists ranging from 3 to 20 ingredients. But don’t be scared by the longer list, as most of the ingredients are sitting in your well-stocked pantry.

A quote I live by:  “Pare down to the essence, but don’t remove the poetry.” —Leonard Koren, Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

See the minimalist kitchen tools on Amazon>

Where to Buy

Amazon 
Indiebound 
Barnes & Noble 

You might also like The Magic Art of Tidying Up, The Organized Home, Be More with Less, Project 333,  Simple Families Podcast, Abundant Life with Less, The Lazy Genius, Raising Simple, Simple Self Care Podcast, Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers, Amusing Ourselves to Death

Around the Web

Press

The Wall Street Journal, Unclutter Your Cooking
Real Simple, Ketchup Makes a Seriously Delicious Salad Dressing (No, We’re Not Joking)
Food52, How to Stock a Minimalist Pantry
The Organized Home, The Minimalist: The FauxMartha, on the Only 5 Pots and Pans You’ll Ever Need
Family Circle, Declutter Your Kitchen With Hacks and Advice from Melissa Coleman
Cup of Joe, Slamdunk Carrot Cupcakes
Parade, The Minimalist Kitchen + BBQ Black Bean Taco Recipe
OXO blog, Pantry Oatmeal Dough Bites
Washington Post, Blender Dutch Baby
Washington Post, Chipotle Garlic Chopped Salad
Well + Good, Minimalist Kitchen Chipotle Garlic Salad
Artful Living, The Interview: The Faux Martha’s Melissa Coleman
Minneapolis St Paul Magazine, ‘The Minimalist Kitchen’ Author Melissa Coleman on How to Make the Kitchen Fun
Potluck with Ali, How to Organize Your Kitchen (video)
California Olive Ranch, Citrus-Poppy Seed Cookie Recipe
Oprah.com, Ancho-ladas
Pure Wow, Chicken Tinga Tacos
Pure Wow, Chicken Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
San Diego Tribune, Time-Saving Cashew Chicken

TV

Home & Family, Bronzed Pavlova
Twin Cities Live, Pantry Oatmeal Dough Bites
The Jason Show, BBQ Black Bean Tacos
The Jason Show, How to Simplify Your Pantry

Podcasts/Radio

Why Do We Have Things, S2 01: Melissa Coleman, The Faux Martha & The Minimalist Kitchen
Simple Families, SFP 103: The Minimalist Kitchen
The Clever Cookstr, Episode #198
Naturally Randi Kay, Ep. 22: Melissa Coleman on Simplifying the Kitchen and Your Life
MPR All Things Considered, Appetites: Taking the Minimalist Approach when Cooking
Your Favorite Sandwich: Melissa Coleman

Blog Love

Pinch of Yum, The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos
Cookie and Kate, Thai-Spiced Rice Bowls
Sprouted Kitchen, Curry Cauliflower
FoodieCrush, Chilaquiles
Naturally Ella, Breakfast Tostada
The First Mess, Oatmeal Cookies Bites
Tending the Table, Oatmeal Cookie Bites
A Couple Cooks, Vegetarian Quinoa Bibimbap Bowls
Girl versus Dough, Not Your Mom’s Breakfast Casserole
The Vanilla Bean Blog, Blueberry Orange Breakfast Rolls
Heartbeet Kitchen, Baked Falafel Salad + Transitioning to a Minimalist Kitchen
Zoë Bakes, Two Bowl Carrot Cupcakes
Sarah Waldman, Two Bowl Carrot Cupcakes
Brooklyn Supper, Melissa’s Strawberry Yogurt Shortcake
Turntable Kitchen, Chipotle Tortilla Soup
A Sweet Spoonful, Chickpea Tikka Masala
With Food and Love, Lemony Green Beans
Flourishing Foodie, Biscuits with Bourbon Blueberry Quick Jam
A Farmgirl’s Dabbles, Citrus-Poppyseed Cookies
A Cozy Kitchen, Citrus-Poppyseed Cookies
Plays Well With Butter, Weeknight Chicken Ancho-ladas 
The Feed Feed, Breakfast Tostada
Julie Blanner, The Sunday Simmer
Inspired by Charm, Whatcha Reading? New Books for Spring

Reviews

“For years I’ve been in awe of Melissa’s unique ability to maintain a fiercely organized, minimalist style without sacrificing warmth, welcomeness, and creativity. With The Minimalist Kitchen, we now have all of her secrets and I could not be more excited about this!”
—Molly Yeh, author of Molly on the Range

“Melissa helps you bring calm to the chaos of your kitchen. This book is a feel-good, can-do pep talk about how to keep your pantry in order, your utensils from getting out of control, and how to create delicious meals for weekdays and occasions without getting overwhelmed.”
—Jeanine Donofrio, author of The Love & Lemons Cookbook

“This book is stunning and so clever. My kitchen is the opposite of minimal so it was so inspiring to read handy tips and easy changes to make life simpler in the kitchen! I went straight out and bought food storage containers to get my cupboards in order like a woman possessed!”
—Martha Collison, Great British Bake Off quarter-finalist and author of Twist

“I had the good fortune of sampling some of these recipes before the book was published, and most of our dinners were followed up with a text the next day: Hey Melissa, can you send me that recipe from the book? This book is a game-changer. It not only gives you practical recipes that you will actually make, but it also teaches you to approach cooking (and maybe life in general) with a fresh, modern perspective.”
—Lindsay Ostrom, Pinch of Yum 

“Melissa is the reason my pantry is now filled with tidy rows of lidded glass jars each with a pristine label. My spice drawer now brings me great joy every time I slip it open. In The Minimalist Kitchen, Melissa inspires tidiness and a pared-down kitchen with joy and creativity at the heart of it all. With less clutter we are freed up to enjoy the task of cooking and can then spend more time at the table eating with the ones we love.”
—Ashley Rodriguez, Not Without Salt 

“With a welcoming tone, The Minimalist Kitchen invites readers to choose quality over quantity and gently guides with efficiency. Melissa’s book is gorgeous and thoughtful, with a strong focus on wholesome ingredients and simplicity that is often lacking in American kitchen culture. But, most importantly, her book contains recipes that actually make me excited about cooking dinner again.”
—Sarah Kieffer, The Vanilla Bean Blog

“As a new mom I’ve struggled to find time to cook for my family. I truly miss the time I used to have to make wholesome meals for the people I love. The Minimalist Kitchen is a great resource for simplifying your approach to meal planning so you’re able to find the rhythm of your new routine and provide homemade meals without sacrificing quality time with your family.”
—Kate Arends, Wit & Delight

“An easy approach to organizing the kitchen and cooking….plenty will appeal to those who are on the hunt for swift, simple, palatable fare.”
— Publishers Weekly

“If you are Martha Stewart, maybe you don’t need this cookbook. If you are any cook other than Ms. Stewart, you should find worthy advice and helpful household and cooking tips in Minimalist Kitchen. Who hasn’t pulled open the kitchen accessory drawer to search fruitlessly for an item that is hidden in plain sight? (I did this just last night. How did my blender beaters get tucked all the way in the back corner?) Melissa Coleman refers to the kitchen as being the biggest closet in the house, and I think she is right. All closets need regular purging. Coleman gives sage advice on what really is needed. If you are new to cooking and don’t yet have all the things, then lucky you, you will be able to use Minimalist Kitchen for your future acquisitions and start a lifetime of good habits. Ms. Stewart, if you are reading this review, you still might need this cookbook for the nourishing comfort food recipes all made with easily understandable techniques. I think even you will appreciate Ms. Coleman’s style.”
—Recommended By Tracey T., Powells.com

Twin Cities Restaurant Guide

last updated March 2022

Below is an ongoing collection of our favorites in the Twin Cities. A little bit about our tastes: we’re classic (maybe basic?), far from fancy eaters who care a whole lot about quality. We like to wear jeans and go to dinner without a reservation but aren’t opposed to a nice dinner a couple of times a year. We find ourselves at bakeries and coffee shops most often. I’m not sure if that’s to do with having a tiny human or loving coffee and pastries. Only 24 hours in Minneapolis? Here’s where I’d go.

Minneapolis

Dinner

Hola Arepa

Venezuelan stuffed arepas, yucca fries, and house-made cocktails. So much flavor packed into everything. This is my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. Here’s what I order: El Diablo (cocktail), Shredded Beef and Plantain arepa, yucca fries with the chimichurri and aioli sauce.

Curry in a Hurry

This is the temporary location of Gandhi Mahal, which was burned during the riots. We love their curries and order take out monthly. Here’s what I order: Chicken Tikka Masala Bowl, Palak Paneer Bowl, and naan.  

Boludo

Pizza and empanadas, Argentinian-style. This is one of the tiniest spots in Minneapolis and always packed. Go with 2 people max and plan so sardine in. It’s worth it. Here’s what I order: De la Casa Salad, whatever pizza sounds good at the moment, and an empanada. Kev and I usually spilt this. It’s more than plenty.

Red Wagon Pizza

We are pizza lovers (can you tell) and usually make it at home (see here). But when we go out, we go to the best spots in Minne. Their outdoor patio is classy yet casual in the summer and great for kids. Here’s what I order: The Bahn Mi pizza, but even the plain cheese is excellent with a glass of the $5 sparkling white wine.

Pizzeria Lola

More pizza! It’s a toss-up (get it) between Lola, Young Joni, and Red Wagon for me. They all make killer pizzas. Here’s what I order: Cauliflower appetizer, The Iowan, and Old Reliable.

Young Joni

Young Joni is owned by the same brilliant chef, Ann Kim, as Pizzeria Lola. Expect a wait or make a reservation. It’s a city favorite; you’ll soon see why. If you get the chance, sit at the bar near a wood-fired oven to watch the fire roar and the food cook. It’s amazing. Here’s what I order: The Cauliflower, Bibimbap Grain, and any of the pizzas.

Broder’s Pasta Bar

House-made pasta. No wonder there’s always a decent wait, that and they don’t take reservations. Here’s what I order: seasonal house salad, penne rosa al rosmarino, and tiramisu with house-made mascarpone.

Revival

Fine southern dining. Don’t miss their St Paul locations. Here’s what I order: 2 piece all-white chicken, mac + cheese or white cheddar grits, collard greens, and biscuits + sorghum butter.

Bar la Grassa

(Currently closed.) Swanky, down-to-earth, delicious Italian food. You might want to claim a reservation first (though I always forget to get one). Here’s what I order: cauliflower gnocchi. Their marinated white beans, given to everyone, are to die for! I hear you can order a vat of them to-go.

Spoon and Stable

Fine Midwest fare made with French techniques. Reservations can be hard to come by, but I recommend skipping those and eating at the bar. You can order from both the restaurant and bar menu here. I prefer the bar menu as it’s not quite as fancy. Whatever you do, don’t skip the house-made cocktails. The menu is always changing.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Hi-Lo Diner

Diner food done right. It’s classy food with just enough grease to qualify as diner food. The restaurant is an original 1957 Fodero Diner shipped from Gibsonia, PA and restored to its original beauty. If you take a picture while there, it’ll blur the decade lines. It’s open all day and into the night. Go for every meal and cocktails too. Here’s what I order: Any of their craft cocktails, pancakes for breakfast, or one of their grain bowls for dinner. Or if I’m going to splurge, the Chicken Sandwich with the side salad and Green Goddess dressing. Kev gets, well, everything.

Green + The Grain

A celebration of salads—this little spot is my new favorite place for lunch. The salads a hearty and could almost be split they’re so large. They have a couple spots downtown in the skyway. Plan to stand in line. It’s worth the wait or place your order the night or morning before and pick-up. Note: They are only open on the weekdays. Here’s what I order: The Cowboy Salad.

Common Roots Cafe

Local, sustainable, really good food. This spot reminds me of Birchwood—quality ingredients with ethical sourcing practices. It’s super vegetarian-friendly too. Here’s what I order: a vegetarian falafel. On the list for next time—the wild rice veggie burger.

The Lynhall

The Lynhall is as beautiful as it is delicious. Go for breakfast, lunch, and/or for coffee and a treat. Beyond serving thoughtful, fresh food, this place is a community builder in the Twin Cities. Don’t miss their ongoing classes and events. 

Coffee

Cafe Alma

This cafe, restaurant, and urban inn is one of our favorite spots. We’ve been to all three. If you’ve ever heard the hum of hospitality, you’ll hear it here too. Here’s what I order: Coffee and a croissant (maybe my favorite in town).

Spyhouse

An artful, swanky coffee house. I take a number from their interior designer with every new location they open. Here’s what I order: a latte with house-made almond syrup and a pastry.

Bakeries

Bogart’s

Bogart’s is perfect—down to the simple homemade donut menu, subway tiled wall, and red sign. We pick up donuts here most Saturday mornings. They’re neither too sweet or too fried. Here’s what I order: The raised glazed, but you have to try them all. And don’t miss an order of holes!

Rise Bagels

This is what bagels should taste like. If their bagels weren’t already the star, their homemade cream cheese spreads might steal the show. Here’s what I order: plain bagel with a shmear of lemon blueberry cream cheese.

Rustica

Rustica is home to the best pastries and cookies in the twin cities. Their bittersweet chocolate cookies made me move here (they ship these anywhere!). Here’s what I order: a bittersweet cookie or a croissant.

Sun Street Breads

My first google search after moving to the area: Best Biscuits in the Twin Cities. That landed me here. Here’s what I order: a biscuit with house-made jam.

The Copper Hen

Though they serve dinner, lunch, and weekend brunch, it’s the cupcakes we find ourselves going back for. The cake is perfectly sweet and moist with a tight crumb. I break my cupcake in half to top the frosting. Here’s what I order: a vanilla or champagne cupcake.

Ice cream

Milk Jam

The best ice cream shop to hit the area. It’s gourmet but recognizable. The chef behind Milk Jam also Runs World Street Kitchen next door, which you should stop by first for dinner. Here’s what I order: a scoop of Black (it’s vegan and divine).

St. Paul

Bakeries

The Buttered Tin

It’s a hopping spot for breakfast or brunch but worth any wait. Here’s what I order: a rosemary biscuit with house-made jam.

Dinner

Mucci’s Italian

Modern flare with old school Italian recipes. The pizza is excellent (the fry their dough) but it’s the fresh pasta and house-made tiramisu that we’ll be going back for. Get there early or plan to wait a bit. It’s worth it. Note: They now have a Minneapolis location.

Pajarito

Classy Mexican food, killer cocktails, and delicious chips and salsa. My friend recommends that you order family style. I’d have to agree. Here’s what I order: chips and salsa, elote style brussels, and the barbacoa tacos with a seasonal marg.

Lunch

Foxy Falafel

Delicious street food served in a restaurant, I love this casual spot. My 4-year-old loves it too. Here’s what I order: falafel, pita, hummus, cauliflower steaks.