How to Stock a Pantry is probably one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner. You might think it is only children who have gone from their parent’s home to learn how to stock a pantry, but in fact, most people wouldn’t be ready if disaster striking at this time. Whether it’s a natural disaster, job loss, or even the possibility of a national quarantine, you want to be ready to feed and protect your family of any necessary.
While there are several different ways to prepare food on a budget, one of the most affordable and flexible is building a pantry on a budget. Your pantry should not only consist of staples such as flour, sugar, and cereals, but it should also be stocked with foods that are on sale, such as canned goods, and inexpensive to produce. You can usually find great deals on items such as these at the produce section of your local grocery store.
Pasta is one of the most popular and easiest foods to stock in a kitchen pantry. The key to making fresh pasta is to purchase good quality, in-season pasta. In order to get the best pasta, try using whole-wheat pasta. This type is healthier than most other types of pasta, and it has a much thicker, fuller flavor. Another cheap but popular pasta staple is pasta sauce. If you aren’t a great fan of the traditional Italian pasta recipes, there are some easy ones you can try such as Fettuccine Alfredo, which uses only eggs.
One of the cheapest and yet most effective ways of increasing the bulk of your groceries is to stock up on coconut milk. Coconut milk is sold in both cartons and in plastic bags in many supermarkets. You can also buy coconut milk in large bottles at Asian food markets. The trick is not to get rid of all of the coconut milk you have bought; you just need to get a container in which you can put some of the liquid. It’s best to put coconut milk in a brown paper grocery bag rather than in a regular grocery bag, which is less likely to attract pests like dust mites or dirt.
Most people think that baked goods are always on hand in their kitchens. But the truth is, if you don’t have an emergency brake, it might be difficult to get ingredients for other foods. Baked items like bread and cookies should be stocked in the pantry, though this depends on the size of the pantry. Don’t forget that canned goods, salsas, crackers, and similar items are also good to have on hand. Make sure you keep your cooking spares on hand too, for instance, tortilla chips and avocados. A well-stocked pantry can help feed everyone in the family, so it’s important to work on getting the most use out of it.
There are two ways of stocking your kitchen pantry: buying pre-packed content or making your own. When you buy pre-packaged content, you have to pay more for them because the company has to cover costs for packaging, production, and shipping. Making your own meals can save money and take a lot of the stress out of shopping. If you opt for making your own canned goods and ingredients, make sure you store them properly and try to buy only what you will need at a given time.
Here are some quick ideas for stocking your pantry with high-nutrient foods: Any foods with high fiber content such as whole grain bread, fresh fruits (with no added sugar), and vegetables should be in your pantry. These kinds of foods are high in fiber and lower in calories, making them good for your diet and good for your wallet. Other good options include lean meats such as turkey, chicken, and fish; baked products such as bread, eggs, and rolls; and canned beans, peas, and other vegetables. You might also want to consider using a food processor or a blender to liquefy some of your favorite recipes. By doing this, you can create creamy foods that will rival the quality and taste of boxed or canned items.
As always, it’s important to avoid spending money unnecessarily. If you are able to buy only a few high-nutrient, low-calorie foods, your savings can be quite substantial. For instance, you might want to limit your purchases of canned items and soup mixes until you see what you can come up with by making your own soups and sauces. Once you get a feel for how much you can save with your first few grocery trips, you can start adding more items as you see fit. With just a little effort, you can come up with healthy meals that will be the envy of everyone on your block!
