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.