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| Photo Credit: Women's Health Magazine |
I had it so easy:
- We lived in an apartment complex where it had a large grocery store in it. I can be spontaneous with cooking dinner because I knew I was only a few steps away from getting the ingredients.
- Prices of grocery items there were so low. I can fill up a cart filled with a week's worth of meals for only about $50.
- We also lived a couple of blocks away from a 'wet' market. How wonderful it was to have easy access to fresh fish that was caught literally that morning!
- I had a helper who came in on certain days of the week to assist me in household chores. This meant that I was blessed to have someone do the food preparation for me.
- On really busy nights, there was a cafeteria located also inside the our apartment complex. It only takes one quick phone call and I have someone knocking on our door with a freshly cooked dinner. And it was delicious food. The price? Only $2 per plate!
Now that we live in new city with a higher cost of living, I am starting to appreciate the importance of menu planning so that we can stay within our monthly food budget. I have been a big believer that planning is an integral part of stewardship -- God has blessed me and Robert with so much; and I want to be able to use everything He has given us in ways that give Him honor.
We are currently concluded our 21-day fast. On the beginning of February, the first order of business is to stock our pantry with cooking staples. I will be planning our menu based on what is stocked in the kitchen.
Lifestyle, culture, and dietary preferences determine what makes the 'staple pantry list.' By giving this a lot of thought, here is the list that I came up with.
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sugar
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
- Canned tuna
- Chicken broth
- Jarred spaghetti sauce
- Brown rice
- Whole grain bread
- Whole wheat pasta
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onions
- Butter
- Milk
- Dry cereal
- Eggs
- Cheeses - mozzarella, parmesan, American
- Carrots
- Whole kernel corn
- Sweet peas
- Lemon
- Dried fruits
- Nuts
Share with me:
What is your list of pantry staples?
4 comments
Thanks for writing about this, I'm going to need this soon!
You're welcome Liz! Glad this helped. Most budget-friendly recipes can be done from these staples. You just need to buy meat and fresh veggies from time to time. Are you moving into your own place soon? When are you FINALLY visiting Nashville? I heard it's really pretty here in the spring!
hehe i think i remember answering this question you had on formspring before. one of our pantry staples is canned tomatoes, use anywhere from stews to pasta sauce, tomato soup, or casseroles hehe :)
another staple, altho in the freezer not pantry... is ground beef. it freezes well and is perfect for last minute-anything -- meatballs, hamburgers, omelettes, "giniling" (turo-turo style w/ potatoes and bell pepper!) or arroz ala cubana...etc :)
here are a few of my fave bookmarked links on the topic!
Pantry Staples: Sweet
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-pantry/kitchn-cure-what-every-pantry-needs-sweet-049017
Pantry Staples: Savory
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-pantry/kitchn-cure-what-every-pantry-needs-savory-048909
Pantry Staples: Vegan/Vegetarian
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-pantry/stocking-the-vegetarian-or-vegan-pantry-073562
Pantry Staples: Fridge
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-pantry/weekend-project-stocking-the-fridge-069510
Essential Kitchen Tools
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/kitchen-spring-cure-2009/essential-kitchen-tools-a-roundup-of-basics-082461
:D
Hi Diane!
Love all of the resources you shared! Thank you!!!
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