Pantry/Freezer - Lotsa stuff, lotsa nuthin'

[JudiB]

I'm not a very good planner. So often I look around in my pantry and freezer, and they're STUFFED with "stuff".... odd thises and thats. I enjoy combining things and coming up with something. I really enjoy paring down the stuff in there... probably so I can go to the Farmer's Market with a good heart. LOL

Right now I'm challenging myself to NOT shop, to make do, and come up with something brilliant.

[Isabella Maja]

Here's what I say. If it's been it there long enough & you still haven't used it, then make a list of everything in there & swap it with a friend who can help!
(That would be us).

We probably all have this same scenario.

Then there are certain foods we think we are going to eat, but just don't.
Toss them if they are expired too long. Donate them if they are still useful.

For instance: The 7 boxes of cake mix on my shelf. I don't even like cake!
But I bought them to help out a friend once. She was having a huge luncheon & needed a simple dessert. I told her let's make cupcakes. Ok, she said. Sigh. She made a kick ass lunch, but bought cookies at Sam's for dessert. Says everyone loves them. Ugh. And I'm stuck with 7 boxes of cake mix.

I was going to donate them to the food bank and now see they are expired.
I doubt that they will rise at this point anyway, so they're getting tossed.

But I'm with you . . . . use that stuff now! So whatcha got?

[kcdixiecat]

LOL I am so bad about this. When we first moved down here I became obsessed with barbecued shrimp. I could never quite get the hang of the whole seasoning thing ..so I kept buying seasoning packets for it. I bet I have 10 packages of the stuff ..all different brands. Let's see...several packages of spaghetti..I'm bad to get in the store and think "hmmm do I have spaghetti or not?..better buy some"...get home and there are 3 unopened packages. For some reason...I have 3 unopened boxes of corn starch...3 bags of unopened coconut...2 cans of green chiles that I bought last fall to use with something...and never did...the list goes on and on. C'mon over...we can swap.

[JudiB]

LOL, I think ya'll have hit on something.... a potluck/swap meet. :)

I was hoping that I had a can of black beans... but I don't. I have (for some odd reason) Bush's red kidney beans... (why on earth did I buy that?) and a can of rotel tomatoes... so I'm thinking about combining those and jazzing it up with cumin, chili powder and sauteed trinity.... There's all kinds of stuff in the pantry. Canned tomatoes, pickled garlic (??) jarred beets, odd veggies in cans... ?? WHY do I buy this stuff? lol

My freezer is an odd assortment of different sausages, cajun smoked, chirizo, (no sweet italian, dang it!)... several bags of left over shredded mozzerrella cheeses... some all ready cooked stuff... oh some yummy potstickers and spring rolls I bought at the Hong Kong market... yummy... not swappin' THAT, LOL!!

I have some whole wheat pita... can you make a pizza thingee with pita? (all that cheese and sausage) lol

Ok... this is helping me, thanks! :)

[kcdixiecat]

LOL I had 2 jars of pickled beets! Two cans of rotel..and I have a can of black beans. I'll trade you some frozen pizza dough and a can of black beans for some of your mozzarella.

Hey, I'll trade you a couple of good weinie dogs for some trashbags if you have any extra. I'm going to have to break down and go to the store for danged trashbags...grrr

[jodyrah]

Judi, I make a dip/salsa using:

1 can rotel(I use extra spicy) if yours is regular add some minced fresh jalapenos for heat
1 can black eyed peas (sub. your kidney beans) drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drain/rinse
1 small can black olives, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 onion minced
juice of 1 lime
fresh chopped cilantro
3-4 T olive oil
Greek seasoning to taste

Funny thing is I only buy this canned stuff to make this dip. It tastes better if you put it in the frig. for at least an hour.

[kcdixiecat]

LOL Judi, I have the fresh cilantro in my fridge..and the limes and even found the Greek seasoning in the cabinet...we may be able to come up with a meal between our two kitchens.


Judi, I make a dip/salsa using:

1 can rotel(I use extra spicy) if yours is regular add some minced fresh jalapenos for heat
1 can black eyed peas (sub. your kidney beans) drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drain/rinse
1 small can black olives, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 onion minced
juice of 1 lime
fresh chopped cilantro
3-4 T olive oil
Greek seasoning to taste

Funny thing is I only buy this canned stuff to make this dip. It tastes better if you put it in the frig. for at least an hour.

[justagirl]

I eschew grocery stores so I love having a stocked pantry and freezer. I love to cook and just come up with stuff, so for me it's fun. But I do have a few things in the pantry that were left when others were using my house as a temporary home...I dont think ANYONE would want any of that though! LOL

A jar of Matzo balls? WTF? Guess I could make chicken soup and anticipate getting sick. lol


What I need to consiously work on is cooking for one maybe two meals. I make so much food at a time that I still have left overs two weeks later...talk about getting sick!

[Jeeves]

Beatcha to it, JAG! I cleaned out the spice/herb section of my pantry last week and got rid of tons of useless crap. The wine/likker section was no problem.....empty, as usual. I'm going to go with fresh stuff as much as possible from now on. The dried, bottled herbs and spices are ok, but I don't cook enuf anymore and they go flat. Besides, it's more fun to hunt for seasonings at the various markets. Barbara told us about one in Mandeville on Florida Blvd. that we're going to explore soon.

[kcdixiecat]

Oh JAG..I'm the same way. I truly don't mind going grocery shopping..if I just had someone to put it away for me. I try to keep the kitchen stocked so I only have to go for milk, bread..etc....but today is one of those days that nothing in the freezer or pantry even looks moderately interesting. It's such a pretty day that I'm going to go find something for Doug to burn on the grill...then when I get home..we're going to crank the blues up...and have margaritas or something..lol..out on the patio.

It's funny..I guess you're always a mom..but I just looked outside and saw how beautiful it is...I opened the windows...and told the weinies they needed to get outside and enjoy the weather..pushed them out the door. I can remember turning the video games off on Caleb and pushing him outside on days like this. Sigh......he just called to ask me AGAIN how to do his bed linens. Yep, this is the brainiac child with all of the academic scholarships...hmmm I keep wondering when common sense kicks in.

[jodyrah]

I eschew grocery stores so I love having a stocked pantry and freezer. I love to cook and just come up with stuff, so for me it's fun. But I do have a few things in the pantry that were left when others were using my house as a temporary home...I dont think ANYONE would want any of that though! LOL

A jar of Matzo balls? WTF? Guess I could make chicken soup and anticipate getting sick. lol


What I need to consiously work on is cooking for one maybe two meals. I make so much food at a time that I still have left overs two weeks later...talk about getting sick!

I cryovac leftovers into individual servings. When my son was in college, I'd bring him stacks of frozen meals. He'd drop a frrozen bag in boiling water and 10 min. later have dinner.

[Jeeves]

.....I became obsessed with barbecued shrimp. I could never quite get the hang of the whole seasoning thing......

Cat! Somewhere in my document file mess I have a recipe, allegedly from one of the Defelice family of Pascal Manale. I'll PM it to you
so you will never have this problem again! http://images103.fotki.com/v426/photos/7/77640/753362/laugh-vi.gif

[kcdixiecat]

Cat! Somewhere in my document file mess I have a recipe, allegedly from one of the Defelice family of Pascal Manale. I'll PM it to you
so you will never have this problem again! http://images103.fotki.com/v426/photos/7/77640/753362/laugh-vi.gif

I'll love you forever if you'll do that. I think it's my favorite way to have shrimp.:D

[jodyrah]

KC, go to mrbsbistro.com for their bbq shrimp recipe. Bacco and emerils.com also have bbq shrimp recipes online. BTW, most rest. offer several recipes from their menus on their websites.

[jodyrah]

I forgot to list in the dip/salsa recipe : 1 small can black olives, chopped. I just made some and I used more like 3-4T olive oil. Hope this didn't mess you up.

[justagirl]

hmmm I keep wondering when common sense kicks in.

Totally off the subject, but my best friend from High School had a 4.0 from Harvard, but when I asked her about getting glasses, she informed me "I thought everyone saw blurry." Good luck with the common sense kicking in!

Oh, btw, my black eyed peas are awesome!

[JudiB]

Ok, this is GREAT... thanks everyone! LOL in a few days, after we've chowed down on some of this stuff, I will make another list of various and sundry things in the pantry/freezer.

Tonight's menu:

Several appetizers:
Guacomole
Bean Salsa
Hummus
(above served with whole wheat pita/tostitos

French bread pizza with smoked sausage, (rendered), mozzarella cheese, fresh mushrooms and red peppers & black olives

Grilled Artichokes


I had made the hummus a few days ago, (everytime I make it it's better than the last time, I'm learning, lol). I had a beautiful LARGE avacado from Intn. Market, I only used half, the other half will go in salads.

Jodyrah, thanks so much for the bean salsa suggestion, it's sitting in the fridge now. (we eat late). I didn't have cilantro, but I did have fresh parsley. We aren't big fans of cilantro.

I decided to make french bread pizza because I have some french bread, and it doesn't last too long.

I took advantage of Dorignac's artichoke sale yesterday, (89 cents a piece), and stuffed four for the fridge and parboiled & marinated two in olive oil, garlic and white wine vinegar.

The pizza stuff is all prepped and ready for assembly. When Tom gets home he'll throw the artichokes on the grill and I'll assemble and pop the pizza in the broiler.... all the while we'll be munching on these great appetizers.

I love to cook. :)

[JudiB]

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/5053/img0460anl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Isabella Maja]

When I said SWAP, I meant swap the lists! not the food!
But that's not a bad idea either. Sort of like a Festivus swap!

So I meant swap lists . . . or just list your stuff here & we'll come up with a way to use that stuff! Looks like it's already happening! :cool:

[Dilfan]

I was going to donate them to the food bank and now see they are expired.
I doubt that they will rise at this point anyway, so they're getting tossed.


Isabella,
Why not try making a batch and see if they're okay. If so, with all of the schools having fairs right now, I bet they'd love donations of cupcakes for sale or snacks. Or, you could possibly take them to a nursing home or someplace like St. Michaels.
Just a couple of thoughts, since I hate to waste......:)

[Isabella Maja]

Isabella,
Why not try making a batch and see if they're okay. If so, with all of the schools having fairs right now, I bet they'd love donations of cupcakes for sale or snacks. Or, you could possibly take them to a nursing home or someplace like St. Michaels.
Just a couple of thoughts, since I hate to waste......:)

Dawlin, I hate to waste too, which is why they are still there!

I'm thinking the baking powder in the mix might not rise.
But they were stored properly & I keep my house very cool.
You're right, they might still be ok.

One thing I thought they might be good for is some people make something like a cobbler using a cake mix.

Fruit (fresh or canned I think), dry cake mix on top and then a stick of butter pats all over the top.

Seriously, if any of you want them, you can have them.
I'm doing a major house changeover right now & have to keep up the pace with the workers - which is not easy. No time for cooking experiments right now!

[Dilfan]

Dawlin, I hate to waste too, which is why they are still there!

I'm thinking the baking powder in the mix might not rise.
But they were stored properly & I keep my house very cool.
You're right, they might still be ok.

One thing I thought they might be good for is some people make something like a cobbler using a cake mix.

Fruit (fresh or canned I think), dry cake mix on top and then a stick of butter pats all over the top.

Seriously, if any of you want them, you can have them.
I'm doing a major house changeover right now & have to keep up the pace with the workers - which is not easy. No time for cooking experiments right now!

Hmmmmm, bribe the workers with cupcakes and or cobbler!!:eek:

[Isabella Maja]

Hmmmmm, bribe the workers with cupcakes and or cobbler!!:eek:

You're too funny, but not too far off.
Last year when I had the outside of my house painted, I found out on the first day that the guys just went to Circle K, BK, or McD's for lunch. Ate fast then took a little siesta on my porch for about 20 - 30 min. I had no problem with a little siesta at all, I wasn't paying them by the hour anyway, and frankly, I think it makes for better work.

However, I do have a problem with what they were eating . . . what the heck kinda fuel is that for the body?

So I told the owner of the company that I would be providing lunch everyday.

Usually it was well seasoned baked chicken, rice and beans and salad with homemade dressing. A few times it was garlic stuffed roast with sauteed onions, rice & beans and salad. Once or twice, soft corn tacos, beans & rice & salad. No dessert! At 3pm, Cafe con Leche and a good hi quality cookie.

There were usually 5 - 6 guys and it was funny, but they never needed a siesta after eating these meals. They were grateful to have a good homecooked meal - typical & familiar - most of these guys were from Honduras & single. They worked very hard & did a great job.

I knew they were happy while they were on my job!

Unfortunately, right now the workers are me & my mate . . . cake would not be a good bribe for me. The other "real" workers are not patiently waiting for us to do our part, and keep reminding us to complete our end of the prep. We've decided to rent a storage unit & just empty out 5 rooms so they can get to work. I must be crazy, but the flip side is it is the way to stay sane.

However, you're right on . . . . and I am bribing myself!
I'm going to take a break at 3pm and go to the new Brazilian restaurant down the street. It's called Country Taste (yeah, I know! :rolleyes:) but I've eaten there twice since they opened on Wed and I'm really looking forward to going back!

[Schuarta]

My wife is a worrier about food which may have been "around" too long, so we tend to use things far before they could reach the end of their storage life.

This morning she came to me noting... "you know you still have that spinach dip in the fridge!". "Yes?" I replied. It was still sealed, and we bought it shopping on Saturday (2 days ago).

We do have a legitamate fridge problem, though. When we moved into the house (1st occupants, 2/17/07) there were 3 cans of Coke (regular, not diet) already in the fridge. A thousand beverage cans, of beer and soda, have passed through the fridge since then. Yet no one has drank those Cokes??? What should we do with them?

[JudiB]

A thousand beverage cans, of beer and soda, have passed through the fridge since then. Yet no one has drank those Cokes??? What should we do with them?

Shake 'em real hard and give them to someone you really dislike. :cool:

JUST KIDDING!!!! Throw those suckers OUT.

Isa - I love that story, and it's so typical of you!! :)

[Dilfan]

We've decided to rent a storage unit & just empty out 5 rooms so they can get to work. I must be crazy, but the flip side is it is the way to stay sane.


I've been through the renovation thing a couple of times and it is a very stressful situation. It's really easy to fixate on one issue and overlook everything else (kinda like can't see the forest for the trees), and then when you realize what you have been doing, you get more stressed. I only wish they would have had PODS when I was renovating! I would have gotten two: One for house furnishings and the other set up with AC, fridge, TV, and easy chair. Stock the fridge with adult beverages and edible goodies, and isolate myself from all the mayhem!!!:)

[DivaKitty]

My freezer amazingly still has space since I cleared it out for Gustav. Some frozen peas and edemame. Kashi waffles, some andouille and a few labeled bags of leftovers (I too cook for an army.) My fridge is back to it's packed out capacity, but I am still missing a few things like horseradish and Creole mustard. Prior to Gustav I had tried to use up my abundant pantry items, so prior to evacuating I re-stocked. The things that tend to collect dust are the canned fruits. I also had visions of post hurricane Frito boats on the porch with the neighbors, so I have several cans of Hormel Chili w/o Beans. Also lots of tuna and a giant can of salmon.
Thanks for this post, its got me thinking about using stuff up again.

[PNG]

LOL! We have a rule about this. Every so often we stop going to the store and we eat everything that we have in the refrigerator and freezer until there is nothing left. Usually takes a few days to complete this process.

[JudiB]

Great rule, PNG! lol... but.... a few days? It would take a whole lot longer than that for me.

My problem is that when my kids were teens, and in the house, not only was I cooking for them, but for their friends. Leftovers didn't stay in the fridge long, my kids and their friends would raid it at all times of the day and night.

After the youngest went to college, my husband called me over to the freezer and opened it and said, don't buy another thing for six months! I tried, but I think I like cooking more than I like eating. hahahaha... well, eventually Katrina took care of that. In fact, we didn't replace the freezer after the storm. I 'make do' with the one on the fridge. It's packed. :rolleyes:

[kcdixiecat]

Oh, how I remember those days. I'd plan on taking leftovers for lunch the next day...open the fridge and it would be gone. Being so far away from him now...I kind of miss those days. I never knew who would be asleep in my family room come Saturday morning. There was always a houseful of kids.

Great rule, PNG! lol... but.... a few days? It would take a whole lot longer than that for me.

My problem is that when my kids were teens, and in the house, not only was I cooking for them, but for their friends. Leftovers didn't stay in the fridge long, my kids and their friends would raid it at all times of the day and night.

After the youngest went to college, my husband called me over to the freezer and opened it and said, don't buy another thing for six months! I tried, but I think I like cooking more than I like eating. hahahaha... well, eventually Katrina took care of that. In fact, we didn't replace the freezer after the storm. I 'make do' with the one on the fridge. It's packed. :rolleyes:

[PNG]

We have so much food in our freezers that belongs to other people that we do not have much room for our own. The pantry takes a while to empty. The last time we cleaned it out, the last two items were a bag of wine gums and a pine cone. The pine cone is still there, but I ate the wine gums myself. I have no idea where the pine cone is from. It belongs to my Sweetie.

[kcdixiecat]

We have so much food in our freezers that belongs to other people that we do not have much room for our own. The pantry takes a while to empty. The last time we cleaned it out, the last two items were a bag of wine gums and a pine cone. The pine cone is still there, but I ate the wine gums myself. I have no idea where the pine cone is from. It belongs to my Sweetie.

what is a wine gum?

[PNG]

Wine gums are a type of chewy candy loved in many parts of the world. Like most great foods, they are not well known in the States. I like Bassett's Sour Wine Gums the best. Maynards are my second favorite so far. There are many brands and types of wine gums.

[Isabella Maja]

Great rule, PNG! lol... but.... a few days? It would take a whole lot longer than that for me.

My problem is that when my kids were teens, and in the house, not only was I cooking for them, but for their friends. Leftovers didn't stay in the fridge long, my kids and their friends would raid it at all times of the day and night.

After the youngest went to college, my husband called me over to the freezer and opened it and said, don't buy another thing for six months! I tried, but I think I like cooking more than I like eating. hahahaha... well, eventually Katrina took care of that. In fact, we didn't replace the freezer after the storm. I 'make do' with the one on the fridge. It's packed. :rolleyes:


Hey Judi, how bout JAG & I come over & raid your fridge periodically? :whip:
:)

This thread has been very motivating!
I have been buying very little lately, just fresh veg/fruit & protein.

Making lots of meals with what we have in the pantry.
It feels good emptying the shelves and there's lots left to go.

I made lasagna - haven't done that in quite a while. Mmmmm.
What a great dish for this cold snap we've been in.

I think I'll make lentils tomorrow.

[cstoehr]

We have so much food in our freezers that belongs to other people that we do not have much room for our own. The pantry takes a while to empty. The last time we cleaned it out, the last two items were a bag of wine gums and a pine cone. The pine cone is still there, but I ate the wine gums myself. I have no idea where the pine cone is from. It belongs to my Sweetie.


Did ya'll get busy under a pine tree and she keep a momento?::covri: