Download your Perfect Pantry List

I created this little "Perfect Pantry" list awhile ago and thought you all might enjoy it. It's a great tool for regular grocery planning. Click the picture below to download the pdf. Not sure how to start your own Perfect Pantry? Check out my earlier posting on how to do just that!

Stocking your Pantry

Now that you have your pantry organized you need to make sure you have it stocked. The key here is efficiency. You want to make sure you have certain items always on hand so that you can create basic meals without having to make a run to the store. My idea of the Perfect Pantry is one that even when it’s at it’s lowest you have a few things that will allow you to whip up a quick meal. Trust me, there is no such thing as overstocking when it comes to pasta noodles and diced tomatoes! ;-)

It took me awhile to figure out the best way to format this section. I didn’t want to just create a grocery list of items for you. I wanted you to have some context as to WHY you should have those items. That got to be a really LARGE entry so I decided to whittle it down a bit. Basically, I’m going to list a bunch of things I have in my pantry and you can use that as a basis for stocking your own. Everyone has preferences and certain allergies or eating preferences so just ignore anything that offends your palette. Remember, make this your own. This is just a jumping off point. There’s no need to get everything all at once. I like to wait for sales when I’m adding to my essentials. Those cans of tuna will be on sale next week and getting 5 for $3.00 is so much more appealing than 99 cents each.

Of course, there are a few things you should always have in your pantry for Emergencies, and I don’t mean last minute guests here. My mum was always fanatical about having her Emergency Kit in the pantry. She chose a cooler as storage and that seemed to work well. You want to fill it with non=perishable items as well as supplies like flashlights and batteries. The idea here is you just grab it and go. Make sure you choose non-perishables you LIKE. There would be nothing worse than being stuck inside during a huge storm, no electricity, and nothing to eat but Vienna Sausages. That would be hell for me but perhaps you’d love it, if you like Vienna Sausages that is. HEH.

EMERGENCY KIT
• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water.
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods (nuts and dried fruits)
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods (cookies, snack cakes etc)
• TONS of bottled water


Speaking of non-perishables how can you tell what spoils and what doesn’t? I’d always thought that an unopened box of Saltine crackers was everlasting but let me tell you – they are not. ICK. One of the hazards of stocking up on items is that you can sometimes forget you have them and by the time you need them, they’ve gone off. Periodically check your items for expiration dates and signs of age. If in doubt – toss it!

Below is a link to a document I’ve made with my “essentials.” It isn’t just confined to the pantry, it also lists some things I like to have on hand in the fridge as well as the Bar. Hey, a gal’s got to have fun and that includes some impromptu cocktail parties!

Housewifery List of Essentials

The Prepared Pantry - Part 1

Here is the first of a three part series on creating a Prepared Pantry. First up, Setting up your pantry. Part 2 will focus on Pantry Essentials and Part 3 will be all about Keeping it stocked.

Whenever you are ready to create your Prepared Pantry start two lists – one will be for items from the grocery store you want to add to your pantry, the other will be for organizational and decorative (yes, decorative!) items you’ll need to make/buy.


Setting up your Pantry

The pantry. It can be a cabinet in your kitchen, some additional storage in a small kitchen, or a closet in a whole other room. Mine is a re-purposed linen closet in the hallway! No matter where it is it is the heart of the kitchen. Your pantry is essentially a miniature grocery store. It’s the place you go to when you need inspiration and where you go in desperation.

Your pantry should be set up as just that; a grocery store. Group like items to make everything easy to find in a pinch. Short on space? Have a savory shelf and a sweet shelf. If you have unlimited space then you can afford to be a little more detailed. Designate a lower shelf for all of your paper goods such as paper plates, towels and napkins. No matter what type of set up you have you can’t afford to be disorganized.



Organizing your Pantry

Definitely make use of all the low priced organization and storage mechanisms available. Be creative. A desktop letter/file sorter is a great way to sort those packaged gravies and mixes. Use clear boxes to store those items you don’t use frequently. Consider adding an over the door hanging shelf unit for even more storage. Asses the items you have in there now. Are they expired? Are you just never going to use them? Throw them out. You’ll need the room for things you WILL use. Treat yourself to some large clear canisters. Everything that comes in large space-hogging or ill shaped containers can go in these. It’s also a great way to see how low you are running on rice, sugar or flour.



Another great tip to steal from the grocery store is to rotate items. After your shopping trip be sure to move older items to the front before putting in your new finds. This will ensure that your never stuck with an expired can of soup just as you are making a last minute casserole!

It’s spring, and it’s a perfect time to pull everything out of that cabinet and start over. Trust me, your meal times will go much smoother with a well-stocked and well-organized pantry. It sounds like a little thing but it makes a HUGE difference.


Spicing up your Pantry

Lastly, make your pantry fun! Sound crazy? Think about it, you look in there every day, several times a day. Why not make it fun to look at? Paint the shelves different colors, use cheerful patterned shelf paper or wallpaper on the back wall of the cabinet. Buy packaging that you like the looks of. Organize using different colored boxes. Use your imagination. I've taken a shot of my pantry being decorated. Here I've just used some cute wrapping paper and double sided tape. That's it!



I’d love to see pictures of YOUR prepared pantry. :-)

xoxo
audrey