What To Stock in the Pantry (red wine, fast food, health, cake)

[SusqueHappy]

Trying some different brands of canned seafood here as well.

The pure oils that were mentioned can be added by the drop to dishes - citrus oils are from the peel and are used in place of fresh zest.

[Bella52]

Nothing new in the pantry here except some whole grain bread I thought would be better for DH. He didn't like it and went out and bought his "soft" white bread.

Now, kitchen gadgets, I've got them all

B4U, I was watching a show last night on the food channel and the chef was using black vinegar. It was the first time I heard about it......he was saying it was like a soy sauce, but sweeter. Interesting!!

[Newdaawn]

I have an unopend bottle of banana liquer that my daughter gave me for Christmas, as I had said I wanted to make Bananas Foster. So far I haven't made it but will for sure soon. There is a site on line - that you can access through Google - that gives tons of food and drink recipes that you make with alcohol.

[greatblueheron]

As noted, use sparingly as you would citrus peel. Add orange oil to hot chocolate, lime oil to plain yogurt etc. I just experiment with them.

Originally Posted by jazzcat22

Yum---mango chutney! What do you do with the citrus oils?

[PJSaturn]

A few months ago, I won a prize at a bridal shower, and it was a box with some spices and sauces from Penzey's Spices in Chicago. Omigosh, are they ever wonderful! Among the items in the box were a BBQ rub for chicken or pork; a salt-free seasoning blend; a seasoned salt blend; a Cajun spice blend; and a couple bottles of unusual types of BBQ sauce. Everything in the box is delicious! When I run out of the stuff, I'll have to go to Chicago and shop in the store there. It must smell heavenly, with all those spices, herbs and sauces! Here's a link to their web site. Penzeys Spices. Over 250 Spices, Herbs and Seasonings. You can search for a Penzey's store near you, or you can shop online.

I've always been disappointed in salt-free seasoning blends before, but the one I have from Penzeys is excellent. I don't miss the salt at all when I use it.

[B4U]

Originally Posted by Bella52

Nothing new in the pantry here except some whole grain bread I thought would be better for DH. He didn't like it and went out and bought his "soft" white bread.

Now, kitchen gadgets, I've got them all

B4U, I was watching a show last night on the food channel and the chef was using black vinegar. It was the first time I heard about it......he was saying it was like a soy sauce, but sweeter. Interesting!!

Oops. Just seeing your post, Bella.
So, what was the chef using it for/in?

[haggardhouseelf]

I discovered little cartons of Fig brand soup a few weeks ag and now I can't seem to get enough of them. I'm thinking of buying them by the case so I can get a case discount! I like to make homemade from scratch dinners for my family, but for myself for lunch I usually just heat up leftovers or make a salad or heat up a bowl of soup. Anyway - everyday since I found these Fig soup's this has been my lunch!

Tomato Soup

I like them because they are organic, not in cans, lower in sodium than most processed foods or prepared soups, and also they just really taste good.

[no kudzu]

I have a young friend who will be married soon to a wonderful young man who has full custody of his 4 year old son. she will be a SAHM. she has asked her mother's friends to please make a list of what we would consider essential pantry items for her new home which has a large pantry.. She already has all the pots and pans and kitchen gadgets and storage items she needs so she is only interested in edible items. She asks us to limit our list to no more than 20 items. What would your list look like? Here's mine. I've grouped some things together so obviously it is more than 20 individual items. She is hoping all the different lists will help her make some good choices when she makes her first major shopping trip.

1. salts- sea, kosher and table
2. pepper- fresh and shaker
3. cans of tomato products- sauce, whole, paste, stewed, dried,
4. condiments- ketchup, mustard -dijon and regular- Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce
5. Pastas- all kinds, shapes and colors
6. standard spices and herbs
7. rice
8. flour, all purpose and self rising, baking soda and powder, sugar-white, brown, confection,cornstarch
9. vinegars-white, apple cider
10. corn meal - she is a good southern girl
11. oils- olive, vegetable and peanut plus small can of crisco
12. bread crumbs
13. dried beans
14. jello, instant puddings, onion soup mix, taco seasoning, salad dressing mixes
15. crackers and healthy snack foods
16. canned soups- for quick lunches and cooking
17. dried fruit and nuts
18. oatmeal and grits and other cereals
19. jars of applesauce, jellies and preserves
20. peanut butter

[jlawrence01]

Personally, when we have a wedding in the family, I buy the newlywed a good spice set from Penzey's Spices to get them started.

Here is a good start:
The Wedding Gift Crate - Penzeys Spices

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

I have a young friend who will be married soon to a wonderful young man who has full custody of his 4 year old son. she will be a SAHM. she has asked her mother's friends to please make a list of what we would consider essential pantry items for her new home which has a large pantry.. She already has all the pots and pans and kitchen gadgets and storage items she needs so she is only interested in edible items. She asks us to limit our list to no more than 20 items. What would your list look like? Here's mine. I've grouped some things together so obviously it is more than 20 individual items. She is hoping all the different lists will help her make some good choices when she makes her first major shopping trip.

1. salts- sea, kosher and table
2. pepper- fresh and shaker
3. cans of tomato products- sauce, whole, paste, stewed, dried,
4. condiments- ketchup, mustard -dijon and regular- Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce
5. Pastas- all kinds, shapes and colors
6. standard spices and herbs
7. rice
8. flour, all purpose and self rising, baking soda and powder, sugar-white, brown, confection,cornstarch
9. vinegars-white, apple cider
10. corn meal - she is a good southern girl
11. oils- olive, vegetable and peanut plus small can of crisco
12. bread crumbs
13. dried beans
14. jello, instant puddings, onion soup mix, taco seasoning, salad dressing mixes
15. crackers and healthy snack foods
16. canned soups- for quick lunches and cooking
17. dried fruit and nuts
18. oatmeal and grits and other cereals
19. jars of applesauce, jellies and preserves
20. peanut butter

I would ditch #14 since spices and herbs are covered in #6 and go with canned/jarred items like beans, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, peppers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and pestos which are great for pasta dishes and salads. I would also add balsamic vinegar which is not only good for dressings but terrific as a marinade. Also the new, healthier low-sodium soups/stocks in cardboard containers are a modern day must-have in my opinion as well (#16).