Sensible Tips on Stocking your Pantry

I have been thinking a lot lately about whether or not to keep up with my regular weekly posts here on Marilena’s Kitchen.  I realize that this unprecedented time of change has brought with it a great deal of anxiety and fear as we slowly start to adapt to new schedules and new restrictions in our daily life.

So, after I noticed a substantial surge in searches for recipes in my blog this week alone, I decided that every now and then I will still be popping into your inbox to share a few ideas and suggestions; perhaps not always about recipes, but hopefully always about things which you might all find useful.

Tips on Stocking your Pantry

During uncertain times like the one we are living right now stocking up on essential food supplies is on everyone’s mind. Preparing in a sensible, but smart way, gives us a sense of security and the feeling that we are in control.  There is, however, a fine line between buying enough to last us two weeks, and hoarding which can result in overspending and eventually running out of space.

• Dry Storage Staples

1. Dried and canned (low salt) beans, such as cannellini, pinto, navy and garbanzo beans, lentils.
2. Grains such as rice (short grain, arborio, long grain, basmati, brown), barley, farro, wheat berries, steal-cut oats, quinoa
3. Extra virgin olive oil and vinegars (wine, balsamic and apple cider)
4. Canned tomatoes, passata and tomato paste
5. Dry pasta in your favorite shapes
6. Jarred condiments and sauces (olives, roasted peppers, pickles, sun-dried tomatoes, tahini sauce, mustard, soy sauce)
7. All-purpose flour, almond flour, yeast and baking essentials (sugars, baking powder, baking soda)
8. Coffee and tea, jams and spreads, raw honey
9. Cereal, crackers, crisp breads, panko bread crumbs, tortillas, corn chips, cereal bars
10. Canned tuna, canned wild salmon, stock, nuts and seeds, nut butters, organic popcorn

• Dairy, Eggs, and Deli

1. Regular and long-life milk, nut milks, yogurt, kefir
2. Half and Half, cream (freezable), butter (freezable), buttermilk
3. Hard cheese (like Parmesan and Cheddar) in blocks to grate or slice later, shredded cheese (freezable), Feta in brine, Mozzarella in brine
4. Bacon and ham (freezable)

• Vegetables

1. Vegetables with a long fridge lifespan:  carrots, celery, cabbage, leeks, green onions, lemons, ginger, garlic
2. Freezable vegetables:  peppers, zucchini, peas, corn, squash, spinach & kale, broccoli, cauliflower, scallions. These you can buy fresh, chop, and freeze to use in cooking; or, buy frozen.
3. Avoid:  purchasing too many vegetables with high water content, like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, salad greens – they have very short shelf life.

• Fruits

1. Fresh:  apples, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines (they can live up to three weeks in the refrigerator)
2. Frozen:  berries, peaches, pineapple, mangoes (use for smoothies)
3. Dried fruit
4. Avoid:  canned fruit, as they are usually loaded with sugar

• Protein

1. Chicken:  butterfly chicken breasts, portion them according to your needs, and store them flat inside zip-top freezer bags. Store bone-in chicken thighs the same way. Avoid purchasing whole chickens because they take up too much space.
2. Ground Beef:  divide the ground beef in 1-lb. portions and store them flat inside 1-gallon zip-top bags in the freezer.
3. Lamb & Pork:  choose chops instead of whole lamb legs or pork loins, which take up valuable freezer space.
4. Fish:  individual portions of good quality frozen fish and wild shrimp are good choices for long storage. Do not freeze fresh fish that has been previously frozen and thawed.

Please remember that when we go shopping, certain food items might be on shortage.  This is only temporary, as the supply is trying to catch up with the increased demand.  Get only what you need and be thoughtful to others. If you are a senior, take advantage of the special, early shopping hours, when shelves are re-stocked.  Check on elderly neighbors, offer to do their food shopping.  Let’s try to find creative ways to deal with the new situation and remain positive. This too shall pass!

Thank you for reading. Take care of yourselves and one another!