A Well-Organized Pantry, Part 2 of 3

If you'd like to read part 1, you can find it here.

For part 2, I'd like to begin with looking at a
WELL-STOCKED PANTRY.

What's in a well-stocked pantry, you may ask?

It's not so much what's in it, such as items or brands,
but more about how 'well-stocked' it is.

my overstuffed pantry

The concept is this:
If you keep your pantry stocked with the items you regularly use, you will have more than enough to regularly put together dinners & desserts with ease.
Not only that, your grocery bill will decrease!
It's not because you are buying less, it's because you are paying less.
When you don't keep a stocked pantry, you have to pay  the current shelf price for the needed supplies rather than simply refreshing your existing supply when items go on sale.

Every well-stocked pantry won't look exactly alike, but here are the basics in my pantry:

CANNED:
fruit {pineapple, peaches, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, fruit pie filling, applesauce}
veggies {green beans, carrots, whole-kernel corn, creamed corn, mixed veg, peas, mushrooms}
beans {pork 'n beans, chili, kidney, red, black, pinto, white northern}
soups {various: chicken noodle, tomato, ravioli - also cream of chicken, mushroom & celery}
tomatoes {diced, chili-ready, rotel, stewed, sauce, paste}
meat {tuna, salmon, vienna sausages}
milk {evaporated & sweetened condensed}
other {broth, green chilies, black olives}

PASTA/GRAINS:
elbow mac, thin spaghetti, angel hair, lasagna noodles
{or whatever variety I'm in the mood for}
ramen noodles, bread crumbs, popcorn
white & brown rice, old-fashioned oats, instant oatmeal packets, grits, cereal

NUTS:
pecans, peanuts, almonds, walnuts

BAKING SUPPLIES:
flour, corn meal, biscuit mix, sugar, artificial sweetener, brown sugar,
baking powder/soda, yeast, cornstarch, cocoa, jello & pudding mix
chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, cupcake liners, box cake/brownie mix, tub icing

OILS:
canola, EVOO {extra-virgin olive oil}, coconut oil, shortening, cooking spray

SAUCES & SYRUPS:
spaghetti, alfredo, enchilada, salsa, Louisiana hot sauce, A1, Heinz 57, teriyaki, soy, worcestershire, BBQ, horseradish, mustard, mayo, Miracle Whip, ketchup, various salad dressings {ranch, honey mustard, italian}, maple syrup, corn syrup, molasses, honey

OTHER:
juices, white vinegar, soda, drink mix {Crystal Light}, tea, coffee, Nesquik, hot chocolate
hazelnut spread, marshmallows, marshmallow cream, peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix
pickles, pickle relish, green olives, croutons, stuffing mix
various crackers {saltines, butter, graham}, potato & tortilla chips, cookies, granola bars
tortillas, taco shells, taco seasoning, brown gravy packets
bread, bagels, buns

With these items always on hand, it's a rare occasion for me to be out of the usual necessary ingredients for any number of dishes.
It's also especially handy when we have unexpected guests ... or we're invited to an impromptu pitch-in game night or get-together.
Instead of scrambling around with no idea of what to prepare, I can go to the pantry & get cookin'.

Here are a couple of my stand-by favorites:

Peach Cobbler
1   30 oz. can sliced peaches in syrup
Pour into 9x13 baking pan.

In mixing bowl, stir together:
1 c. self-rising flour, 1 c. sugar, 1 c. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla

Pour over peaches evenly.
Dot with 2 pats of butter, divided here & there.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown.




I didn't have a pic of my own peach cobbler to add, so this one is from Easy Southern Cooking.  It looks just like mine.


Dump Cake
1 yellow butter cake mix
1 can cherry pie filling
1 lg can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. butter, melted
1 c. pecans, optional

Layer ingredients in order listed in a 9x13 pan.  Bake at 325 for 1 hour.

photo taken from dumpcake.com