Pantry Pleasers, what essentials to have in stock in your pantry during Covid-19 Pandemic.
The lesson we've learned these past two weeks? Limitation inspires creativity! We've been treating every day like a champ. I started ordering Hello Fresh about two months ago, again, so it's been a great resource on avoiding the grocery store. But what to keep in your pantry? Well, you are in luck. I had already created an essentials pantry list in my Dorm Room Essential Cookbook as well as Love at First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, both also available on kindle, nook, and in softcover, so what are those essentials to keep on hand in the future or perhaps you may already have them. Don't get ripped off this morning like I did when I bought $50.00 worth of supplies/groceries from Sam's Club and they charged me $40.00 for shipping!
GIVE ME A BREAK! (this last thing we need right now is to take advantage of people!)
So while you are staying home and being creative like myself and my son, here are a few creative ideas on what to stock your pantry with and what to improvise with.
10 Must Have Ingredients for a Stocked Pantry
Baking Staples. I always keep the following basic baking ingredients on hand and restock as needed: ...
Preferred Spices. Spices are the key to making meals flavorful and kicking them up a notch. ...
Necessary Oils. ...
Canned Goods / Stock and Broths. ...
Grains, Pasta, and Legumes. ...
Healthy Snacks. ...
Meat and Seafood. ...(keep in the fridge)
Refrigerated Basics such as cheese, which can also go in the freezer, butter, can also go in the freezer, milk, etc.
*Bonus:
Substitutions:
If you are out of:
Butter try margarine or butter-flavored shortening
All-purpose flour, (try rice flour, wheat flour, almond flour, polenta, unbleached flour)
Dark brown sugar (try light brown sugar)
Whole eggs (try liquid egg substitute or brown eggs)
Oil (try applesauce)
Chocolate (try carob)
Olive Oil (substitute vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, cooking spray)
Lard (substitute for shortening or butter or margarine)
White Rice (try brown rice, risotto,)
Nuts (try water chestnuts)
Sour Cream (substitute for nonfat plain yogurt)
If you are out of
1 Tablespoon baking powder (substitute for 1 teaspoon baking soda and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar)
1 Tablespoon of cornstarch (try 2 Tablespoons of flour)
1 cup of milk (substitute for 1/2 cup of evaporated milk with 1/2 cup of water)
1 cup of buttermilk (try 1 cup of regular milk plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice)
1 cup of sugar (try t cup of honey and then reduce other liquid ingredients in recipe by 1/4 of a cup)
