Let’s talk pantries.
Let’s talk meal planning.
Let’s talk bulk bins.
I am a total sucker for the Whole Foods bulk bins. They are such a magical place. Three colors of quinoa, five types of lentils, chocolate covered everything, and amaaaazing trail mixes that I inevitably eat out of the bag on the way home – don’t mind if I do. On a given day, I can convince myself to buy almost any of it in the name of keeping a well-stocked pantry or trying something new.
Well, guess what? I don’t even have a pantry. (Does anyone in their 20s have an actual pantry? If so, don’t tell me about it; I’ll be super jealous.) What I have is two kitchen cabinets dedicated to pantry items. Aaaand they are bursting at the seams. Not to mention the freezer drawers I’ve packed with frozen fruits and veggies never to be heard from again.
Does anyone else have this problem?
The reason is that I like to follow recipes. Trying something new is all well and good, but I usually follow a recipe while I’m doing it, whether it’s someone else’s or one I’ve cobbled together ahead of time myself. And after I’ve made that delicious salad that calls for 2 tablespoons of goji berries, the other 2 cups that I bought often sit there for… a long time. Because who would buy just 2 tablespoons of something from a bulk bin? Not this girl. Come on – they’re called “bulk” for a reason.
I’m always envious of the bloggers that seem to throw together flavorful meals based on what they have lying around, but I’m a planner by nature. And I just haven’t been able to let go of the planning enough to use up what I have in my pantry.
I also tend to plan my meals around which fresh fruits and veggies I want to eat or need to use up. That avocado is going to be a waste of $0.99 in a few days, whereas the bag of dried black beans that my last roommate left me (uhh… 10 months ago?) will still be perfectly fine. And I’ve wasted so many avocados, berries, and other delicious and expensive produce over the years that I’m now vigilant about getting through them.
So I decided recently, as I was digging through my cabinet for cashews and on the way found peanuts, pine nuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and almonds whole, sliced, and slivered, none of which I’d touched in the past month, that I might need to go on a brief pantry bender to relieve my groaning cabinets and teach myself how to cook with what I have, not what I want.
This seems like a life skill I need to develop.
So to start, I cleaned out my “pantry.” Here’s what I found:
The aforementioned nut stockpile. Note that I have two bags of almost every kind of nut… clearly I lose track of what I’ve already loaded up on.
Grains. Three colors of rice, two colors of quinoa (which I guess is technically a seed?), a tiny bit each of two kinds of couscous, spelt berries, wheat berries, and farro.
Legumes. Most of these I do use up fairly regularly.
And finally, canned pumpkin. I have an issue with overstocking on seasonal items. Don’t even ask me how many bags of cranberries are in my freezer.
That’s not all I have, but I don’t want to get into the multitude of flours, sugars, chocolates, and freezer items. Though I need to use those up, too!
So this week, I’m going to do a little pantry series. Instead of buying new ingredients to follow recipes I’ve pinned or planned out, I’ll whip up some meals to share based on what I already have in stock.
This is probably more for myself than anyone else (especially since I just signed up for my first CSA this summer and am slightly terrified about getting a huge load of mystery produce every week!). But I hope it will inspire you to try out new combinations of things that have been lurking in your cabinets, as well as convince you (and myself) that the most delicious meals are not always well-planned. I’ve already surprised myself by loving a few of the haphazard meals I’ve thrown together.
So, wish me luck… and stay tuned for my first pantry meal coming up tomorrow!
I am a meal planner too! While sometimes it’s fine throwing something together with what I have in the pantry, I love just buying things fresh like produce and what not. So based on what looks good at the store, I’ll meal plan around that! :)
It looks like we’re pretty much in the same boat, except I actually do have a pantry which only makes the problem WORSE! With more space, more stockpiling of everything. (BTW, I see nothing wrong with having pumpkin in April… I use it in baked goods year round.) I’m excited to see what you come up with and hope that it inspires me to clean out my cupboards a little.
I do wish you luck. I go on a pantry/freezer clear out once or twice a year, and I rather enjoy the challenge of it. Pumpkin is great in soups, but, I always keep a can around for pumpkin bread (which turns into muffins as well that freeze quite wonderfully – and I’d use some of those nuts in them, on pumpkin pancakes). It will be fun and tasty to see what you come up with.
I am so NOT a meal planner! I wish I was. I am excited to see what you whip up this week :) This is how I usually cook and it works out for me. Have fun!!!
I will have to channel you while I’m cooking!
Pantry? Not in my apartment! There’s barely enough room for my clothes let alone a cupboard strictly for my beans and nuts. I have a total of 4 cupboards and 2 of them are jammed packed with jars of lentils, nuts, rice, etc. I should really do a clean up..!
I feel ya. I’ve actually had to start keeping some dishes in the hall closet with my towels, etc. I’ll know it’s serious when food items start ending up in there too…
My pantry items have overflowed from the pantry to a work table in the kitchen that has an extra oven on it. I found I was knocking jars of this and that out of the pantry while looking for other items. They are much safer in their new home! My Mother grew up in the Depression and her kitchen cabinets were chock full of everything you can imagine. When I was short on funds, I’d go over to “Mom’s Grocery Store” and get a few items! It made both of us happy! While going through our freezer to find the tin of Matcha, I discovered one little persimmon waiting to be made into bread. OMGosh, how long has it been since I actually cleaned that thing out? Looks like another project for my To Do list!
Oh my gosh, jars and bottles have been falling out of my pantry, too, although I didn’t even think about that while writing this post. I actually broke a huge (and expensive) jar of green tea the other day when I knocked it out of the cabinet. One more good reason to do a little pantry cleanse! Also, “Mom’s grocery store” – love it :)
I am definitely one of those pantry cooks! I usually have to walk or bike to the grocery store, so making do with what I have is a must when I’m feeling lazy :) I also just don’t have much storage space in my kitchen – one big reason my roomie and I will probably look for a new place next month.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with! I’d suggest things like grain salads & sides :) Ashley at EdiblePerspective.com has a lot of recipes featuring gluten free grains if you need inspiration!
I probably should not tell you this, but I am in my 20’s AND my apartment has a pantry!! I was seriously so excited about it when I got the place, and now that I have it I really do not know what I would do without it!! I could definitely get better about keeping it organized, though! :/
It might help to pick up some storage jars for your grains, nuts,and other bulk bin items. Once you have designated amount of space, its easier to abstain from buying tons of extra because you know the general amount you need will fit in your jars. As for all the nuts you have, you should try making a big batch of granola or energy bars. They will use a lot of what’s sitting around and they are easy to share with others ;-)
Great suggestions, Andrea!
It might help to pick up some storage jars for your grains, nuts,and other bulk bin items. Once you have a designated amount of space, its easier to abstain from buying tons of extra because you know the general amount you need will fit in your jars. As for all the nuts you have, you should try making a big batch of granola or energy bars. They will use a lot of what’s sitting around and they are easy to share with others ;-)
You’re making me want to go to Whole Foods and hang out near the bulk bins, pacing back and forth, filling bag after bag! All sorts of goodies in your pantry – you can never have too much pumpkin puree!
I seem to go through periods of having a really organized pantry and then somehow life gets busy and it gets a little messy ;)
You are like a pantry hoarder! :) I have a similar problem but not quite as bad. I’m interested to see what you come up with!
OH! Do I ever have to clean out my pantry! That is such a good idea to make a meal after!
Can’t wait to meet you at blend this year!
I have the exact same can of pumpkin butter in my pantry! But spiced pumpkin muffins or cake just sounds…heavy when it’s already getting hot here in the Southwest. I, too, am trying to be a better pantry cook—I am sucker for seeing a recipe I like online and then stopping at the market on my way home, dropping $20 on ingredients when I have cupboards full of pantry items. Aside from the draconian measure of staying off the internet, I’ve found that taking some time on Sunday evening, looking through the pantry and fridge, and planning meals out for each weekday based on what’s in there helps me!
I agree about the pumpkin, I’m feeling kind of uninspired to use it. Have to check the expiration date to see if it can make it to the fall! Thanks for the tip – a once a week planning session based off the pantry sounds like a great idea!
I agree with the comment about putting nuts, seeds, legumes into jars. I do that and it does help keep things a bit under control, maybe kinda…
I not only have a pantry that is basically all my “vegan supplies” but I also have two cupboards that I’ve taken over. We also have two refrigerators and two freezers. One for me, one for the family.
Guess that’s what happens when you’re a vegan living w/4 omnivores.
love it…I did a pantry/freezer cleanse last month and it feels so good…like such an accomplishment using up all those items. I can’t wait to see what you come up!