I was sent a "post" on foodbuzz that really inspired me and, since I think that we're pretty stocked I might have to give it a try to clear some stuff out. Living out of your pantry. It's not totally uncommon, I kinda just did it a few weeks ago with our freezer. You are supposed to set shopping rules so I'll have to think about that. In the post it mentions a site that helps you know how long the foods in your fridge/freezer/pantry are good, to check them out click on the link below their logo.
I live out of my pantry all the time. I have to supply dinner for between 7 & 12 people every night and take out becomes way to expensive. I worked out that if you have certain staples in your pantry, you can cook at least 30 different dishes. Everything from Italian & Indian to Thai/Malaysian & Middle Eastern food. I call it "Pantry Free-styling"
ReplyDeleteMost of the items are non perishable so you can keep them a long time as long as unopened.
My Pantry always has this stuff:
1. Canned Tomato Paste
2. Canned Diced Tomato's/Tomato Sauce
3. Chicken, Vegetable and Beef Broth (boxed)
4. Several Varieties of Pasta
5. Basmanti Rice
6. Kepak Manis Sweet Soy Sauce
7. Balsamic and White Vinegar
8. Canned Red Kidney Beans
9. Canned Chick Peas
10. Canned Black Beans
11. Lemon Juice concentrate
12. Olive Oil
13. Canned Char grilled Red Peppers
14. A well stocked Herb & Spice rack
15. Vanilla Extract
16. Raisins, Dried Apricots and Prunes
17. Walnuts,Pecans & Almonds
18. Flour & Corn Starch
19. Chilli and Garlic Paste
20. Laksa Paste
21. Onions
22. Potatoes
23. Canned Peaches
24. Canned Pitted Olives
25. Apricot Juice
26. French Onion Dip Mix
27. Packet Pilaf Rice
28. Sriracha
29. Coconut Milk (Unsweetened)
30. Canned Tuna in Water
You can eat entirely out of the pantry or add your choice of Fresh Vegetables, Fruit, Protein and Dairy from the fridge and there is pretty much nothing you can't make.
I'm starting my own herb garden this summer so that will ease some of the strain on the pocket book as Herbs and Spices are expensive.
Jennene
Thanks, Nene! I hear ya on the spice garden. I just talked to a friend the other day and I don't think that I let my first round of seeds mature enough before I tried to transplant them into my little urban indoor garden. Everything failed on me except for my peppers. So we'll see how the second round goes. Thanks for the list, it's very helpful!
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