A Well Stocked Pantry

Over the past 3 weeks as I have returned to work full time, I am realizing more and more the value of keeping a well stocked pantry. Having basic supplies on hand makes it so easy to plan a menu or even throw something together at 5:30 if I have forgotten to plan. Don't ask how many times that has happened already! There are - literally - hundreds of posts out there about stocking a pantry, so I don't pretend to be offering something new, but this is what works for our family. Here is a list of what's currently in the pantry that I use most often for dinner. We all have oodles of cereal and kid's snacks available, but not everyone wants to eat that for dinner. Tomorrow I'll share several recipes that can be made mostly from pantry items.

• Rolled oats
• Beans - canned and dry
• Tomatoes - diced, crushed, tomato paste, diced w/ green chilis
• Whole wheat pasta - a variety of shapes from elbow noodles to spaghetti, pasta side mixes
• Panko crumbs
• Rice - brown, long grain, seasoned mixes
• Salad dressing - ranch, honey mustard, several vinaigrettes
• Mole sauce
• Salsa verde
• Adobo chilis
• Diced green chilis
• Chicken gravy mix
• Peanut butter
• Nutella (yummy!!)
• 2 cans of fiesta style corn
• 1 can of sauerkraut
• Baking supplies - white & wheat flour, white & brown sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder, baking soda, powdered milk
• Molasses
• Soy sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Duck sauce
• Stir Fry sauce
• Olives - Kalamata and green
• Roasted peppers
• Sundried tomatoes
  

Notice what's missing? A lot of processed foods! As good a deal as those items are sometimes (especially with coupons), I don't keep much of that in the house.

This is the first post of at least 3 I will have about keeping your home well stocked. I will also share the contents of our freezer and spice rack. I hope to inspire some of you to stock up when you can on healthy options to make yummy meals any night of the week!