While I was in the process of cleaning and organizing the cupboards yesterday, I updated my inventory. I didn't include the freezers, fridge, or outside pantry, just the kitchen cuboards.
I got to thinking of what a boon a well stocked pantry is. I haven't had to run to the store for one or two things for a meal in many, many years. If I don't have it, I substitute and if I can't do that for some reason, I don't make the dish. I just prepare something else and move on.
I truly believe that being well prepared is one of the things that's enabled me to feed 4 adults on $200 to $250 a month, most months for less.
So, what's in your pantry?
Here's part of what's in mine:
1 jar of garlic parmesan sauce (which we love over chicken and broccoli)
1 can spaghetti sauce
3 bottles misc. hot sauces
1 bottle worcestershire sauce
1 jar mayo
1 16 oz bottle honey dijon dressing
17 cans green beans
7 cans ranch style beans
2 cans sweet potatoes
10 cans corn
5 cans sweet peas
10 cans spinach
2 regular cans black eye peas and 1 6 lb can of black eye peas
1 can kidney beans
7 cans Bush Vegetarian baked beans
2 cans asparagus
1 can mixed vegetables
3 cans saurkraut
7 cans potatoes
2 1 liter boxes of Creamy Chile Poblano soup (anyone have ideas what to do with that?)
1 can bamboo shoots
3 cans tuna
1 can beef in juice (will be used in stew at some point)
1 bag Szechwan Chicken
1 can beef luncheon loaf
1 large can enchilada sauce
1 can black olives
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can mushrooms
1 can apricots
1 can mixed fruit
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can pumpkin
2 cans pineapple
3 16 oz bags of instant potatoes
2 26.5 oz bags of powdered milk
1 quart of low fat shelf milk
8 cans milk
6 lbs rolled oats
10 lbs farina
15 lbs white flour
10 lbs whole wheat flour
3 lbs soy flour
3 cake mixes
1 container of frosting
1 box dates
1 bag chocolate chips
8 lbs white sugar
4 lbs brown sugar
1 jar molasses
1 bag splenda
lots of spices
baking goods like yeast, baking powder, etc
teas and coffee
7 bags beans, misc. varieties
8 lbs rice
4 large bags of pasta, misc varieties
2 6 lbs cans whole tomatoes (what in the cat hair do I do with those? I'm thinking homemade spaghetti sauce for the freezer)
Kitchen cupboard inventory and what's in your pantry?
January 22nd, 2007 at 05:19 pm
January 22nd, 2007 at 05:45 pm 1169487907
EXACTLY!! I've found the same to be true. When trying to convince my young niece to make a weekly menu when she came to me for tips on saving money she came up w/this excuse - "I don't want to have to decide on Friday what I want for dinner next Thursday night." Well, shoot, neither do I.
BUT, because I do make a menu, do shop with a list, do buy on deep discounted sale, I have a FULL pantry that can fill in when needed AND if I don't want what I put down for Thursday, I just switch Friday's meal with it and keep going. If Thursday's meal still doesn't sound good on Saturday I switch again. If it still isn't making it into the rotation then I seriously consider whether I ever want to put it onto the menu again. I dunno, it works for me. I don't lock us into the menu night, but it's there stocked and ready to go.
January 22nd, 2007 at 06:39 pm 1169491146
Even though I don't like cottage cheese, I will use that because I don't want to run to town to buy ricota, and be tempted to buy other things I probably don't need.
I noticed the farina, on your list. Our co-op quit carrying it, and I am bummed. I can't find any, except for the very expensive "Cream of Wheat", so I do without.
My grandfather ate it every day of his adult life, and lived to be ninety, and didn't see a doctor until he was ninety!
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:01 pm 1169503270
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 pm 1169505583
We eat farina now and then but I have a lot of it and might donate some to the local food bank. If you were closer, I'd give you some!
sicilyyoder, good job on the miracle whip!
January 23rd, 2007 at 03:24 am 1169522657
Tomato stuff: big batch of salsa that you can freeze or can, puree and make tomato soup with some cream or whole milk, add some to homemade chili, make homemade pizza sauce with tomato in it or just add it to the toppings on a homemade pizza, dehydrate some to use like sun-dried tomato, puree with apple, carrot and celery to make a vegetable drink, and chop it up and add it to salads or omelets.
February 25th, 2008 at 09:46 pm 1203975993
Here's another tip- take advantage of your local farmer's markets and discount stores. We often buy good groceries (yes, even produce) from stores like Big Lots and 99 Cent Only Centers as well as discount grocery stores and our numerous farmer's markets. You can even find organic foods at discount stores!
November 1st, 2008 at 10:00 pm 1225576828
You could make spanish rice out of the tomatoes...it's really easy and very yummy!