Cooking From The Pantry

In the Kitchen

Unleash the hidden gems hiding in your pantry

Let’s talk about something, as many of you know, near and dear to my heart: cooking from the pantry. When I say pantry, I mean your dried goods and your freezer.

In our busy lives, it can be so tempting to reach for those pre-made meals, promising convenience at the cost of… well, a lot! Not only are they more expensive than making things from scratch, but you never know what’s in them.  If you are looking to cut your sodium, fat, or sugar, you will be surprised by what you read on the label.  

Today, let’s talk about cooking from your pantry and why embracing those shelves brimming with possibilities can be a game-changer for your wallet, your health, and your culinary confidence. At the end I'm going to challenge you to cook from your pantry this week.

Why Embrace Cooking from the Pantry?

Budget Bliss: This is a big one! Cooking from your pantry is inherently more cost-effective than relying on pre-made meals or even frequent grocery store trips for every single dish. Pantry staples have a longer shelf life, and eliminate the premium you pay for convenience and packaging. Think about it – a bag of dried lentils can stretch into multiple meals, costing significantly less than a pre-packaged lentil soup.

If you know what’s in your pantry, you can shop for fresh ingredients for the dishes you want to make.  Fresh ingredients will cost you less.  You may find yourself just shopping from the outer aisles of the grocery store rather than the aisles in between.

I was recently at the store, and there was a couple behind me, and their cart was full of all fresh veggies.  There wasn’t a prepackaged meal in sight.  I thought about the delicious meals they were planning, unlike the guy in front of me whose car was full of Ramen packages, frozen meals like Hot Pockets, and soda.

Healthier Habits: When you cook from scratch using pantry ingredients, you have complete control over what goes into your food. No hidden sugars, excessive sodium, or mysterious additives that often lurk in processed meals. You’re in charge of the quality and freshness of your ingredients.

I’m not saying there isn’t a place for some pre-packaged helpers.  I mean, pantry items are pre-packaged.  When you have an eye on your pantry, and ideas of what you want to cook, you can shop for those pre-packaged foods with a critical eye to their ingredients and if they make sense for your diet.

Unleash Your Inner “Chopped” Chef: There’s a real sense of accomplishment in transforming simple pantry staples into a flavorful and satisfying meal. It is like playing Chopped in your own kitchen. It encourages creativity and helps you understand the fundamental building blocks of cooking. You’ll be surprised at the delicious magic you can conjure with just a few key ingredients!

Always Something to Eat: Life happens! Unexpected guests, a sudden craving, or just a day when you don’t feel like venturing out – a well-stocked pantry means you always have the ingredients for a decent meal within reach.

Just this week, I wanted to experiment with the traditional Rice Krispie Treat recipe.  It was easy to go to the cabinet and pull out the ingredients.  I had Rice Krispies because I use them for my meatloaf.  I had marshmallows because I bought them over the holidays when we were making different kinds of hot chocolate.  And butter…well, I always have butter.  I added other pantry staples such as vanilla and kosher salt, and voila, a pantry snack from childhood.

Start with a Pantry Inventory

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. Staring into a fridge that feels strangely empty despite a grocery run just days ago. But what about those trusty staples tucked away in your pantry? Do you even know what’s in there?

Dried pasta, canned beans, grains, spices – these unsung heroes are the foundation of countless delicious and satisfying meals.  If you haven’t taken a look into your pantry, stop what you are doing right now, and go check it out.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• Why did I buy that ingredient?

• How long have the ingredients been in the pantry?

• Most importantly…What could I make with them?

If you have things in your pantry right now that you haven’t used (or thought about) in over a year, I’m giving you permission to throw them away.  I just threw away some liquid smoke I have had in my pantry for over 10 years.  I originally bought it to make smoked mozzarella, but never used it since.  Hasta la vista Liquid Smoke…now that felt good.

Pantry Powerhouse Dishes: Inspiration is Just a Shelf Away!

Don't think pantry cooking means boring meals! Do a search online with a couple of your pantry items and see what comes up.  If you have a favorite website such as Allrecipes, Tasty, Epicurious, and of course Appetite for Life (yes you can search for recipes by putting ingredients in the search bar!) check them out for ideas.  You can also use tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for suggestions.  AI can be very helpful in that way.

To get you started, here are just a few ideas:

• Pasta Perfection: Dried pasta is a pantry superstar! Pair it with canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and some dried herbs for a simple yet satisfying marinara. Add a can of tuna or chickpeas for extra protein.

• Grain Bowls Galore: Rice, quinoa, couscous – these grains form the base for endless possibilities. Top them with canned beans, roasted vegetables (if you have some lurking in the fridge!), a simple vinaigrette made with pantry staples like olive oil and vinegar, and a sprinkle of your favorite spices.

• Soup's On! Lentils, split peas, and dried beans are fantastic for hearty and nutritious soups. Add some vegetable broth (bouillon cubes or powder count!), canned tomatoes, onions (if you have them), and spices for a comforting bowl.

• Savory Scrambles: Eggs (if you have them) paired with canned corn, black beans, or even leftover cooked rice can make a quick and flavorful breakfast or light meal. A dash of hot sauce from the pantry adds a kick!

• Spice Rack Magic: Don't underestimate the power of your spice rack! A simple can of chickpeas can be transformed into a flavorful curry with the right blend of spices and some coconut milk (canned, of course!).

  
  

Here’s a tip: I always keep Ginger, Garlic, and Onion powder on hand.  They quickly and easily add those wonderful flavors to a dish if you don’t have fresh.

Your Cooking from the Pantry Challenge!

I'm so excited for you to experience the joy and ease of pantry cooking! So, here's your challenge for this week:

Cook ONE meal entirely (or almost entirely) from your pantry.

Get creative! Dig through your shelves, see what treasures you unearth, and transform them into something delicious. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Once you've whipped up your pantry masterpiece, head over to our Appetite for Life Cooking Club (you are a member, right? If not, join us!) and share a photo and a brief description of your dish. Let's inspire each other with the amazing possibilities that lie within our pantries.

I can't wait to see what culinary wonders you all create!

Happy Pantry Cooking!