The Kitchen Series: Stocking your drygoods pantry...

Kitchen Series note: Some things may not be things you would like or use so mark those off and replace with things you do use! Most pantry lists you find out there are either subjective to the writer's use or have too many things on them to be good for you. They all need a little tweaking to get them to where they work for you. This is my take, so take it with a grain of salt and make it your own.


Huh? What is a drygoods pantry? Well it is all of the accumulated stuff you have in your kitchen cabinets and pantry closets. No matter where you keep it or how old some of the stuff is, these items are the basic things you need to feed you and your family. Unexpected bills, job loss or car repair, can mean your food budget is the first to get reduced. Having a well stocked pantry is your key to getting through those times.

I have 2 kinds of items on my pantry list; things that are a must and if I run out of them I buy them on my next store trip and things that I just like to stock and if I run out in a lean time I restock as soon as I have some extra cash. I try not to buy any mixes (ie: cornbread, cake, muffin or boxed pasta mixes) due to the fact that if I have the supplies on hand it is easier to make them from scratch, so you wont see any of those on my list. As the series progresses I will give you some recipes to replace some of the store bought mixes so you don't have to worry if you are out of something.

All of the items I am going to list are my idea of a well stocked pantry...your ideas may be different and you may need to tweak the list. Things in italic are what I consider to be the optional items on my list.

For basic needs:
White Flour (wheat)
Corn Meal
White Sugar (brown and powdered)
Baking soda and powder
Yeast
Corn Starch
Honey
Vanilla
Cocoa Powder
Powdered Milk
Shortening
Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Dry Beans; black, pinto, northern and kidney
Lentils; yellow, green and red
Barley
Rice; basmati, jasmine and other specialty rice
Couscous
Pasta
Oatmeal
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
Tomatoes; diced, crushed or whole
Canned Mushrooms
Tuna
Peanut Butter


So this is the main bulk of the food in my pantry. The list is a easy one and most of the stuff is found in any grocery store. With this list and a few things from the spice pantry and the fridge or freezer you can have a lot of meals ready in no time.

All of these items should be used regularly, so rotating in new packages as you buy them is not a big deal. When you have a minute take a peak in your pantry and check out expiration dates. Get rid of any expired things and replace with new. Anything you bought thinking you would try and have never used should be given away or thrown away if expired.

My basic list is also the list I use to keep a stockpile of. So if I see something on my list that is a great sale, those are the things I really stock up on. Just be careful and not over stock it, I tend to use the idea that if I have enough of something to last me the year then I don't buy any more, even if it is a great deal. Some items don't lend themselves well to stocking so I keep those to a 3-6 month supply.

Next up... Stocking your fridge and freezer. See you soon!

Previous Kitchen Series Posts

  1. The Kitchen Series: Tools I love....

A crafty day....

Last night I burned the last inch of candle I had in my house. I had been trying to de-clutter the vast number of candle holders I had and in the process some how used up all my candles. Since I am in "no spending" mode, I did what any crafty girl does and pulled out the candle/soap craft tote.



After checking the limited wax supply (mostly a dark purple) and digging out all the smaller candle holders, I set to work.



I used scent in Amaretto Cappuccino from Candle & Gift Factory Outlet that I bought the last time I was out in AZ to visit Mom. The smell of it is so heavenly that I always buy it when I am there, but just bought the fragrance oil to add to homemade candles the last time I was there.



After topping off "the well" I have an nice bunch of candles to burn! I wasn't too careful about keeping the color consistent since these are just for me to burn so I ended up with a bit of a two-toned affect on some of them with the top off.

The Official Kitchen Series Post List

To make this easy on people who want to read the whole thing I am starting a post list right from the beginning so I don't have to figure it out later! Each time I add a post I will add the link to this list, so if you think you missed a post check here. They will be listed in the order they were posted. Happy reading!


  1. The Kitchen Series Intro
  2. The Kitchen Series: Tools I love....
  3. The Kitchen Series: Stocking your drygoods pantry.
  4. The Kitchen Series: Stocking your fridge and freezer.
  5. The Kitchen Series: Stocking your spice pantry.
  6. The Kitchen Series: Making your own mixes
  7. The Kitchen Series: Making you own stock.
  8. The Kitchen Series: Organizing your pantry, Part 1
  9. The Kitchen Series: Organizing your panrty, Part 2
  10. The Kitchen Series: Method Cooking



The Kitchen Series: Tools I love....

So today's topic is about a few things I love to use in the kitchen. I will try and post a source for each item if I know where I got it from!


Flexible cutting boards

I use these a ton. I have 4 that I got from Ikea, they come in packs of 2 for $1.79. These are a nice and thick (about a 1/4" thick) and big enough to do some serious chopping on at 14" x 11". I bought these after I cut though my previous flexible cutting board and cut my counter. They work so well that I try and buy a new set every year or so and retire ones that are to cut up as craft surface protectors. They also work great as kids placemats!


Rachael Ray Gusto Grip 7-Inch East/West Knife

I heart this knife. I received it as a b-day present more than 2 years ago and it is the best present I have every gotten (thanks Auntie!) since I use it several times a day. It is easy to hold, slices and dices great and stays sharp. I have never had to sharpen mine and it still is great. It's a bit pricey,(I see it on Amazon for $42.99) but it lasts a long time so it is worth it!

Crockpot
I use my crockpot at least once a week. I have had mine for about 8 years so it is not the exact one pictured. I love being able to put in supper and walk away from it. Just beware if you buy one...most of the newer ones tend to cook much hotter than any one you have had before. Things that would take 8 hours in a old one will most likely take more like 4 in a new one.

KitchenAid® Artisan® 5 Qt. Stand Mixer
This is also a tool I could live without...but really don't want too! I received this as a gift, but know that they are a little pricey (Amazon has them listed at about $300)so this is something most people have to get as a gift or save up for! I use mine to make just about anything and think it looks super cool on a counter.

George Foreman GGR50B Indoor/Outdoor Grill
I know..a odd kitchen tool...but since I live in a condo building that doesn't allow gas or charcoal grills I have one of these. I can still get my grill-on out on the balcony with out getting a ticket from the city!

Food Dehydrator

I used to use this for making jerkey, but recently I got into making much more with this. I now dry sliced potatoes for scalloped potatoes and onion rings for minced onions. It takes a little bit to learn thru trial and error but once you have it is a great tool.

So these are my fave things...what are yours? Leave me a comment on your fave thing! Next time we will talk about stocking your drygoods pantry, so check back soon.

A little mini series.....

I am a little bored, with no work right now so I have been kicking around doing a few little series about different things. The post would ideally show you how to do/plan/stock/whatever something from start to finish. Before I start the series I will post a little intro about what each series will in the beginning cover. It may cover only those things...or it may become even more as I find thing to write about. So stay tuned to see what I have coming up for you in the near future!

So tomorrow will be the first post in my new series about the kitchen.

The first topics will be about:
~ Kitchen tools I love
~ Stocking your dry goods pantry
~ Stocking your fridge and freezer
~ Stocking your spice pantry
~ Recipes using your stocked pantry
~ Why to make your own stock
~ and anything else I can think of

So come back tomorrow as I write about my fave kitchen tools!

5/15 Editing to add that it is taking me a little longer to write (who knew I was so not good at writing?!) so look for a post in this new series only a couple a times a week!

More house......

My bathroom has been one of the rooms I re-did as soon as I could. Luckily the colors of the tile went with the color towels and shower curtain I already had so it was just a matter of a little pale blue paint and some accessories to make it right as rain.

Before


There was quite the mass of towel bars so I took a few out (the one over the WC and one you can't see on the wall across from it) and moved up the towel ring so my towel just brushed the counter top now.

After


A shelf was added to the top of the lightbar to add space for a few plants and decorations.

Redecorating....

Since I have been home so much, with no money to go out and do things I have been plotting a home reorganization and decoration. In July I will have been here for a year, and I am just starting to get things in shape. The kitchen has gotten a bit of a makeover with one wall getting painted a dramatic orange red.
Before After
I am thinking to now extend that color into the living room wall and redo a few things in there to go with those colors.

I did finally recover the awful blue chair into something much cooler!

Before

After
I used a spray paint that is dark brown with a bronze metallic fleck in it for the frame and a upholstery fabric I got a few years ago after a clients reupholstering project was complete.

I still don't know what I am going to do with the living room....or my bedroom for that fact. I have a few ideas for both, but not the funds to make the a reality. I do have some small ideas that I can do with existing stuff so I am thinking of starting those and then see where things go from there.

Inexpensive gift idea....


Do you need a inexpensive gift? Here is the "gift in a jar" meal box I made for my friend R as a thank you for watching my cat while I was on vacation. I'm going to post the "recipes" for making this chili night goodie box.



Painted Desert Chili Mix

1 (1-quart) wide-mouth canning jar

Layer in a 1-quart canning jar:
1/4 cup dried parsley
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe)
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons white cornmeal
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/4 cup small dried white beans
1/2 cup dried kidney beans
1/4 cup small dried black beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
Approximately 1/2 cup dried kidney beans

This recipe seems weird as you keep layering the same things...but you get the pretty look you see in the pic doing it this way since the ingredients are layered, like sand art. Don't worry about getting the layers even. The desert effect comes from the rippled appearance of the spices. One tip is to carefully add each seasoning along the edges of the jar, then fill in the middle of the layer. This way all of the beautiful colors show along all of the edges. After you add the 1st layer of beans push them down a little compressing the spices, but don't shake the jar or you will lose your pretty layers. The last layer of beans you may not be able to put the full 1/2c in. Try pushing down a little more to see if you can fit them, if not leave them out.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Painted Desert Chili
Pour contents of jar into 12-quart pot.
Add:
1 medium diced onion
4 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 large can of tomato paste
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
49 ounces tomato juice
2 pounds ground beef or turkey, browned
Fill remainder of the pot with water. Bring to boil. Let simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.


Taco Seasoning Recipe (this will make enough spice mix for about 2 jars.)
12 tsp Chili Powder
10 tsp Paprika
9 tsp Cumin
6 tsp Onion Powder
5 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months. 7 teaspoons mix equals one 1.25oz package of store bought taco seasoning.




Texas Cornbread Mix

1 Wilton disposable 12” icing bag (without tip cut off) and a twist tie.

For 1 cone:
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup dry powdered milk
1/4 cup butter flavored shortening

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar and cornmeal till it is fine crumbs. Sift in flour, powdered milk, salt and baking powder; mix till completely combined.
To package in cone: fill bag about1/4 of the way and then press down to compact. Keep filling till you have used all the mix by adding a bit then compacting. Bag will be very full when done, so be careful when putting on the twist tie that it is completely closed.
Makes approximately 3 cups of mix

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:
Texas Cornbread
1 container (2 cups) Texas Cornbread Mix
1 egg (slightly beaten)
7 oz (or 3/4 cup + 2tbsp) water
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease one 8-inch square pan, or 8-inch cast iron skillet, or cast iron cornbread mold.
Place cornbread mix into bowl, mix thoroughly. Add egg and water. Hand-beat until smooth, about one minute. DO NOT OVERBEAT!
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for pan or skillet, 15 to 20 minutes for cornbread mold.




Crazy Chocolate Cake Mix

1 (1-quart) wide-mouth canning jar

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Layer into jar. Add cocoa powder and cinnamon then wipe down insides of jar and compact ingredients as much as you can. Add sugar, you may have a little mound on top, put the sealing lid on top and push down till all the sugar goes in, then add screw ring.

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:
Crazy Chocolate Cake
Contents of gift jar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups water
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir cake ingredients together using a wire whisk or fork, making certain that all ingredients are completely mixed together. Bake for 35 minutes.
Frost as desired or serve sprinkled with confectioners sugar with fresh fruit on the side.



Then you can decorate and package you meal however you like. Add a fabric square under the screw ring to add color or just add a ribbon to the jar and call it a day.

Earthquake...in IL???

5.2 earthquake rocks large region of Midwest

So that's what woke me up at 4:37am making me think I was crazy and my bed was not vibrating. They talk about the quake in 2002 and I remember that one clearly.

No jobs....

So I have been hunting and have found that there are no jobs currently in my area, in my field, with my skill set. Yes there are jobs in my field but they are either ones I am not qualified for (ie: not enough experience or wrong experience) or ones that I have done in the past and know I suck at (ie: full commission sales or high pressure sales) and know I will end up failing at. And at the current moment starting a job I know I am not cut out to handle is the last thing I can do...it will put me right over the edge. But I have applied for them...and even they didn't call me back since right now there are a ton of people looking for jobs. I know I am not the only person going thru this as I look at the field related job boards and see 5-10 people all looking for "my" job. My last boss is even looking as the company I was "let go" from has basically gone under.

My frustration and depression levels are at a all time high for as of the end of June my unemployment benefits will run out. I feel completely disillusioned in my field. I worked so hard to get my degree (I am a horrible student with my dyslexia) and I have at the current moment nothing to show for all of my hard work then and since. I am literally hating the fact that I even spent the money (which I am still paying back while unemployed) to now realise that while I am ok at what I do I hate it. I'm scared because my track record shows that I am really bad at picking jobs..every time I find one it is either a lie or something I am really not good at.

So tomorrow I will start what used to be the unthinkable and begin applying at all the places I can find that are hiring. Starbucks, Lowe's and Target will be the first ones. I have to find something cause I have used up all my reserves and have nothing to fall back on. Rob doesn't understand because his family just supports him even though he has been unemployed for a year and still lives at home. Me I have been on my own since I was in college. My family can give me emotional support, but no other help.

I just want to cry...I just want to not have to do this again. I feel like I am just hitting my head on the same fucking wall and it is doing nothing but beating my brain to mush. I'm tired and want to crawl in bed and sleep, just sleep; but I know I can't do that or I will never get back out again.

Still Jobless....

...and starting to get bored. I have been unable to find anything and it is pissing me off. This week I really need to hit it ard because the end of unemployment is going to come faster than it should. We (R and all his familiy) just returned from our Jamaican Vacation and that is making it harder than ever to get back into it. I'm going to have to start doing the unthinkable and start looking out side my field for work. At the moment though that doesn't seem like such a bad idea when I seem to have such bad luck picking jobs in my field.

Wedding stuff has come to a standstill since there is np money to pay for anything. I have been doing some hunting for misc stff and have some good ideas for things we will be needing.

Wedding stuff!

Now that you know about the engagment I can tell you about some of the stuff I have picked out! Wedding date is June 27th, 2009 so I have plenty of time to plan!

The ceremoney site:
My hometown's botanical gardens
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My dress:
It will be ordered online...
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Our finished save the dates:
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I'm Back!

I know, I know. I disappeared for a long time there. Lots of things have happened since my last post in July. Then I was struggling with R being out of town. so let Me kind of do a recap of what has happened since then.

August & September:
Dead.... that was how work was I sat around doing nothing much for 2 months
Relationship.... Strong! we saw each other all of the time and had way too may family (his) obligations to meet.
Weight loss... HA what weight loss?!
After all the apartment hoopla (leaking roof, coming into my apartment when I'm not home) I decided to move and find a cute condo closer to work and closer to R. R's best friend lets me take over his condo as he is looking for a house.

October:
I GOT ENGAGED! yes you read that right he popped the question on our 5 month anniversary at the same restaurant that we went to our first date at. I find a dress I love and start looking at reception halls.
Life continues to be hectic with family obligations. And work starts to pick up.

November:
I took the FIL's to see the garden and reception hall I wanted and had shown R. Work is now crazy and I start working from 7am to 6-7pm. And the family obligations continue.

December:
Work is kicking my ass and I continue to work crazy hours and almost every weekend. We book the reception hall and I am thinking about one hundred other wedding things in any free moment of the day.

AND of course there are those family obligations. Which I now can't handle any more and R and I have a huge fight about what is happening for the Xmas and new years holidays. He tells me that we can do one thing and then goes along with the opposite thing that his family wants to do. After an huge sit down we solve this issue and the family obligations that I have to attend lowers dramatically.

January:
Well the month starts out ok then wham I come down with the flu and when i go back to work after 2 days of hurling I am told the company, because of it's money issues can no longer afford my salary and they are sorry but they will have to let me go. Effective immediately.

So here I sit, back because now my very busy work life has come to a screeching halt and I need something to keep me from going off the deep end. I know that this was for the best, since the boss was really hating me lately for unknown reasons. He had started tormenting me in the way I had seen him do to countless others that he suddenly, overnight decided to hate.

Now I will update my resume and start calling a ton of places...but I think I will take a few days off first to get over this flu and figure out what I want to do. I can't take long at it though since my savings is nothing and unemployment won't cover my bills. But at least till next week when I will hit the pavement hard.

And the cracks in the armor start to show...

My alone time has made me start to think...I'm sure in a very unhealthy way.

But with the inability to speak to him to assure myself that everything is cool all I can do is try and tell myself this is true, that this time it will work. All of the doubts I normally don't have time to even think about have hit me full force today. The almost paralyzing fear that I will screw this relationship up too with my moodiness, inability to hold my temper or to compromise when I feel things should go my way.

The thought that we fell to hard to fast is always in the back of my mind. Making me wonder if this is real, or just all in my mind. How can someone become so important, so ingrained in me in such a short amount of time? How do I know this is real...that what I feel isn't just extreme gratefulness that someone actually wants me,just as I am. How do I trust that he means it when he says it, when everyone else has taken it back, when they learned what I was really like.

Add to that the intimacy issue and you have a train wreck in my mind. My brain races thinking that some how that issue is my fault....or worse yet that is signals that he really doesn't want me as much as he says he does. I don't think I could take it if it was the last one...that would be such a crushing blow to my self esteem.

I know this is just me missing him desperately....but it doesn't help that it is all stuff that is in the back of my mind. My logical brain is saying that if all this stuff is coming out the first break I have from him it means I should slow things down a little.

When I am with him I feel loved...I feel like he would do anything to make me happy. I know I would do the same for him, but I always feel like I am not giving enough...like he is doing more. I'm oh so happy when I am with him...and counting the minutes when I am not.

I don't want to feel all this doubt...but I'm not sure how not too. Why does my brain always track to the unhappy...why can't it just let me be happy?

I just want to cry....

So R left early Saturday morning with the rest of his family on their Mexico trip. I had a really hard time Saturday (since I was still at his house, in his room) till I went to the family picnic that I had to drive back home for. I managed all day sunday by burring myself first in a big target house stuff spending spree(ahhhh retail therapy) and then came home and stuck my nose in the new Harry Potter book until it was time to go to bed.

Today at work there were a few bad time... especially when I realized it was 2 and I had had no calls or texts all day, but for the most part I was just too busy to think about it. After work I went and fed & played with the dogs at his house for a few hours then wrestled my new desk (made by the guys at work) up the stairs with the help of a neighbour. I then spent the rest of the evening putting it together and putting things in it.

Then as I'm sitting here debating going to bed it happens...my phone rings. It's him. He says the phone card only has a few min on it and asks me how F (his best friend who is staying at the house with the dogs) and the dogs are. I say we are all fine, just missing them. He says ok I have to go and I tell him I love him. He says it back, says bye and then hangs up....and that is why I want to cry.

None lost and a few gained...I am not doing well lately!


So total so far:
Week 1: -1.5 lbs
Week 2: -1.5 lbs
Week 3: +2 lbs
Week 4: -2 lbs
Week 5: -.5 lbs
Week 6: +3.5 lbs
Week 7: -1 lb
Week 8: 0 lbs
Week 9: 0 lbs
Total lost: 0 lbs

Oh my... (a few fun things)

Free Online Dating
This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:
ass (1x) (Well shit I think I need to swear more!)


(no really?)

Oh so bored....

Work is dead as a door nail, and has been for a couple of weeks. So I have been doing all the things people do when they are bored at work....blog reading and writing, myspace and other web surfing. Today I just want to leave...to go and have a little mini vacation from everyone and everything. Well ok lets be honest...not everythingjust leave me a book, chocolate and something to drink that will make me happy. Instead I will put on my happy face and go to a cookout tommorrow. FUUUUUN!

I talked to the Bride yesterday for a min and she is going crazy with it only being 8 days till the wedding. As of yet her MOH has not picked up her dress and brought it to be altered. Yes I know crazy huh that 8 days before and she hasn't got her dress yet. If I was the Bride I would be telling her she was out of the wedding. I mean come on, we ordered these things in December and were told that we would have to pay the 2nd half on them in march....it is now July. How hard is it to come up with the money in 6 months?!

Happy 4th of July!

Yesterday was spent being actively lazy....meaning I really did nothing, but I wasn't at home.

Tuesday night R came and stayed at my house in the city for the first time. The Cat didn't bother him as much as he thought it would so I hope this can become a more regular thing, since the privacy at his house is a little lacking for my taste.

Then in the morning we were up and out to go to the Elmwood Park parade that was a 1/2 hour late in starting so it took forever to get done with. While we waited I got to play with R's brother's new puppy, a Chug (a chuawua (sp?) pug mix), who is just too cute for words. After a short beer run we ended up at R's brother's house (he has the pool) for the family cook out. After much eating and swimming we struck out to the Elmwood Park Freedom Fest to see the fireworks. The fireworks were awesome lasting 30 non-stop minutes. The food I tried was good, but really not good for me at all. After that we went back to R's house and I came to work today from there so I didn't have to get up as early.

Tonight we have a cook demonstration to go to that is being put on by a friend of his that is in culinary school. Hopefully he makes something really good! Saturday we have another family cook out to go to,so I will have more time to not eat well this weekend.

In other news....

Last weekends cook out with the Bride (see right) & Groom went really well. They really seemed to like R and R loved them. We ended up going to see a AAA semi-pro football game of the team groom plays on (but he messed up his knee so he was doing the play-by-play announcing) that took forever to get started and over with. After the whole cake thing, I was a little worried about how the weekend was going to go, but it went really well. R's step-dad did a little bit of picking...which seems to be SOP, that I couldn't handle so I made him go to town with R and leave me alone for a while.

Now I think I best get to work...since I haven't done any yet!

May Challenge (only a little late)

No time for a really long thing...life is still making me crazy...but atleast I didn't gain anything again!


So total so far:
Week 1: -1.5 lbs
Week 2: -1.5 lbs
Week 3: +2 lbs
Week 4: -2 lbs
Week 5: -.5 lbs
Week 6: +3.5 lbs
Week 7: -1 lb
Week 8: 0 lbs
Total lost: 0 lbs