Well Stocked Pantry

Well-Stocked Pantry - Basics

Making Your Pantry Work for You

Well-Stocked Pantry – Stocking the Basics

A well-stocked pantry is a home cook’s best asset. It is also important to have useful kitchen tools and gadgets to assist in preparing meals. 

MONEY, TASTE, AND TIME: Is it really worth preparing healthy, balanced meals at home?

Money – When money is tight, shop on a budget. If I can make the meals at home less expensively, then it is absolutely worth it. When it comes to preparing food that your family eats every day, there are basic pantry staples that you need regardless of how tight your grocery budget is.

Taste—Just give the meals you make at home that special touch, whether they are semi-homemade or made from scratch. I can’t help but compare their taste to store-bought, ready-made meals. I just think that my home-cooked meals taste better. 

Time—I find that planning meals according to what I have stocked in my pantry and shopping on the weekends for items I need for a special recipe cuts down on time in the kitchen preparing meals during a busy work week. My daughter and I are the only ones in my household, so I am cooking for two. I plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week, making just enough for a dinner meal that can also make for a great lunch the next day.

Basic Pantry Staples

                                                                       

Baking items All-purpose flour Whole wheat flour Whole Wheat Pastry Flour Cake flour Cornmeal Granulated sugar Confectioner's sugar Brown sugar Baking soda Baking powder Yeast **Freeze for longer shelf life** Cornstarch Unsweetened cocoa powder Semi-Sweet chocolate Biscuit mix

Pasta Items White and/or whole grain     Penne or ziti     Spaghetti     Angel hair     Fettuccini     Linguini     Ditalini     Lasagna     Orzo     Elbows     Egg Noodles

Dry Beans, Rice, & Whole Grains Long-grain rice Brown rice Wild rice Arborio rice Barley Couscous Quinoa Kidney beans White beans (Navy & Great Northern) Black beans Lentils Chick peas Pinto Beans

Spices Himalayan Pink Salt  (Coarse  & Fine) Black peppercorns Coarse salt Table salt Ground cinnamon Ground nutmeg Ground cloves Ground turmeric Ground allspice

Ground mustard Cayenne pepper Celery seed Ground ginger Ground cumin Ground Chile peppers Red Chile flakes Ground paprika

Dried Herbs Parsley Oregano Basil Rosemary Thyme Sage Cilantro Bay leaves Onion powder Chopped onions Garlic powder Minced garlic

Note on spices and dried herbs: Dried herbs and spices lose flavor after six months. If they lose their fragrance or taste, it is time to replace them.

Other Pantry Staples

Oatmeal Cereal Crackers Dried breadcrumbs  Diced tomatoes Tomato paste Tomato sauce Stewed tomatoes Chicken broth Beef broth Vegetable broth Worcestershire sauce  Dry sherry Fine Marsala Wine Port Wine

Soy sauce Hoisin sauce Sesame oil Barbecue Sauce Evaporated milk Sweetened condensed milk Peanut butter Jams or jellies  Olives Capers Barbecue Sauce Ketchup White distilled vinegar Apple cider vinegar

Light or dark corn syrup Pure maple syrup Honey Pure vanilla Almond flavoring Hot sauce Olive oil Extra-virgin olive oil Canola oil Peanut oil Red wine vinegar Balsamic vinegar White wine vinegar

 

In my kitchen setup, I am a gadget person, and I have no shame when it comes to the many kitchen gadgets I own. Some work and some don’t, but I am always looking for those gadgets and kitchen tools that will make my meal preparation as easy as possible. I know that counter space is precious, but if there are a machine or two that you use often, keep them on your counter for ease of use. Then, find space for those items that you use often in your pantry, if you have a large one or a special cabinet. 

Kitchen Gadgets   

•         Spatula and spoons
•      Wired Whisks
•      Various types of Graters
•      Scraper
•      Tongs
•      Bar Tools to tuck in your apron pocket or belt. Use for easy clean up
•      Oven mittens, dish towels, and sponges
•      Good set of cookware
•      Mixing bowls, measuring cups, and spoons