A Grimm Pantry
There are many good sites on the internet discussing methods for stocking and managing a pantry. The information is as varied as the writers, most making some very good points. My basic resource in such matters is still Amy Dacyczyn editor of "The Tightwad Gazette". She discusses a method of shopping for the best buys (as well as growing and preserving garden produce), then planning meals based on what you have on hand. With this method, whether you plan tomorrow's meal tonight or plan a weeks' worth of menus, or a months' worth, you are always working with foods obtained at the least expensive price.
I like to plan about a week at a time, doing some cooking and prepping on Sunday. I chop onions, bake a loaf or two of bread along with a meat or sausage loaf, and boil some rice. If the weather is favorable for grilling I like to prep some hamburger patties, pork steaks or chicken, and several potatoes. Left-overs from any meat can be used in a Mexican casserole or seasoned as taco meat. And left-over 'just about anything' can be used in a hearty meat and vegetable stew. Extra potatoes baked on the grill can be chopped and fried with onions for a quick hash brown side dish to accompany breakfast as supper.
I try to think in terms of "what could I do with left-overs of this?" when I'm planning several meals at a time. Extra sausage loaf can be served with hash browns and eggs for an evening breakfast. A large roast will make stew, tacos and/or hash. Several pounds of browned hamburger turns into as many different dishes as there are web sites with recipes.
Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
3 tablespoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
Mix all ingredients together. Add an equal amount by volume of mesa.
Mix thoroughly.
Use 3-5 T per pound of meat (or to taste)
Proper Stocked Pantry
A Grimm pantry is one that is stocked to make life easier and to provide a buffer in case of "the unexpected". I'm not a survivalist, prepared to live out of my pantry for a year when the economy crashes around my ears. I am, however, a devoted fan of "Backwoods Home Magazine" magazine, "Mother Earth News" magazine and several blogs and web sites that take being truly prepared very seriously. I am also aware that unplanned events ranging from power outages lasting several days (2012 ) to fuel shortages (1979) and travel halting snow storms (1999) can occur where I live. I've experienced them.
Lately I've been reading and following growing international concerns related to the impact our current drought conditions will impose on the cost of food around the world. Following these stories with a full pantry feels a little safer than thinking a jump in prices, or the inability to get to a store for a few days would be a real hardship on my family.
Of course the pantry is just a part of the picture. A garden, a canner and a few canning jars give me that same feeling. But that is another story.
Stocking a Grimm pantry begins with a brainstorming secession where everybody in the home makes a quick list of all the things they really like to eat. Remember that when you are brainstorming "anything goes". There is no critiquing during the list making.
Our list included fried chicken, pizza, tacos, mashed potatoes, and cheesecake. This list also had the unexpected result of reminding me that it had been a while since we had eaten some of our favorite meals. I hung the list where I can glance at it when needing a dinner suggestion so I can avoid getting into a rut.
Now think about the meals that might revolve around or include the foods on your list. Fried chicken at my house requires milk gravy, potatoes and corn. Tacos need rice and beans. If your list includes ice cream sundaes you'll need whipped cream and chopped nuts, and of course, a vegetable.
This is the time to critique the list a bit. Be sure it reflects the way you actually do cook and eat. Think about breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks and treats. Also consider what you would do in the case of a disaster. You may not usually use powdered milk, but in the case of an extended power outage it would sure be nice to have.
The next step is to find a "master" list that you want to work from. There are many pantry stocking lists on the internet. Look at several of them and choose one that seems sensible to you. At the end of this article I have included the list I like to work from.
My pantry is stocked for a full year, but a month's supply will still give you a sense of accomplishment and a nice buffer. If space is a real issue, look for unused areas such as beneath a bed or behind a door. Better yet, do a clean out, organize simplify session and free up some space in a closet or several drawers in a chest. Move a few seldom or never used kitchen appliances and utensils out (donate or discard), and replace them with inexpensive shelves or baskets for extra pantry items.
Now, compare your list with the complete pantry list you've selected and make changes and corrections based on your own family's needs and patterns. Finally, you can make a shopping list.
Break your shopping list down into ten short lists. Every month do your regular shopping and also purchase the items on one of your 'short' lists. If you can afford to buy more at one time, great! But one tenth at a time will have your pantry meeting your expectations in less than a year.
I use a system (also at the end of this article) that I learned from Amy Dacyczyn's book "The Complete Tightwad Gazette"' 1998,Random House Publishing Group to track the items in my pantry and insure that I use the items regularly so that I am constantly rotating my stock. I also use Amy's advice concerning meal preparation. We eat from our pantry. We don't say "what do you want for dinner? I'll run to the store and get something", rather we go to the pantry (and freezer) to see what we have on hand, then cook from that.
If you find that you are stocking your pantry with a lot of processed foods consider making the move to more "real food". Real food can be replenished from your garden, your backyard flock and local farmers who share your interest in quality food. With the help of a few canning skills, and some simple dehydrating devices real food can be made quick and convenient to use.
Pantry Stocking List/ A full year's supply
| BAKING EXTRAS: Cocoa, coconut, nuts, chocolate chips, etc. |
| BAKING MIXES: Cake mix, muffin mix, etc. And Bisquick brand or similar product. Store these in airtight containers, or freeze them. |
| BEANS: Dry beans, peas, legumes, 100 pounds per person |
| CANNED GOODS: Form vegies and fruit to meats (ham, tuna, sardines) |
| CHEESE: 5 pounds per person. Whole cheese can be sliced or grated and frozen. |
| CONDIMENTS: Mustard, catsup, mayo, relish, Worcestershire, hot sauce |
| DRY MILK: 100 pounds per person, or supplement with canned milk and shelf stable milk. |
| FLOUR: 50 pounds per person. Store in air tight containers, or freeze and be sure to rotate it regularly |
| GRAINS: oats, corn meal, cream of wheat. Freeze to keep fresh |
| JAMS AND JELLIES: Lots of variety |
| JELLO: gelatin and pudding products |
| JUICES: Only buy 100% juice products. |
| NUTS: 2 pounds per person; dry roasted or frozen fresh |
| OILS: Olive, or vegetable.12 pounds per person |
| PASTA: 5-10 pounds per person |
| PEANUT BUTTER:10 pounds per person |
| READY DINNERS: there are many available today that even include heaters. Get what your family will eat (pasta, Mexican food, Oriental tend to taste best to us). Think about several days to a week without power, or evenings when cooking sounds like too much work. |
| RICE: 5-10 pounds per person |
| SALT: pickling, table, Kosher or sea salt. Think about preserving, seasoning and cleaning. 5 pounds per person |
| SOUPS: dry or canned. Think about soups that are good in recipes as well as family favorites. Don't forget crackers. |
| SPICES AND HERBS: |
| STAPLES: Baking powder, soda, corn starch, baking soda (baking soda is good for cleaning as well) |
| SUGAR: 100 pounds per person |
| SUGARS: white, brown, powdered. 100 pounds per person. |
| SWEETNERS: Honey, Karo, molasses, etc. |
| TOMATOES/ TOMATO PRODUCTS: whole, salsa, paste, sauce |
| VEGETABLES: frozen and dried |
| VINAGER: Plain and apple cider type. Think pickles, cleaning, 1 gallon per person |
| YEAST: can be frozen 4 pounds |
| Baked/Baking | Cake Mixes | How often to you bake? I use about 1 each week. |
| Baked/Baking | Flour Massa | I like to make tortillas and tamales. |
| Baked/Baking | Flour Wheat | 5 lbs. lasts bout 3 months for me |
| Baked/Baking | Flour White | I use quite a bit of flour, and would use more if extreme conditions occurred. I keep 10 lbs. per month |
| Condiments | Dressing 1000 | Don't use much but keep on hand for company. |
| Condiments | Dressing BC | My favorite |
| Condiments | Dressing F | I like this for coating meat and seasoning vegies in roasts. |
| Condiments | Dressing Packet Italian | I use these for seasoning. |
| Condiments | Dressing Ranch | Bob's favorite. |
| Condiments | Ketchup | A bottle will last us about a month |
| Condiments | Mayo | You can make mayo fairly quickly, but I keep |
| Condiments | Mustard Yellow | A condiment and a cooking ingredient |
| Condiments | Olives Black | We love them, and use several can each month. |
| Condiments | Onions Fr Fried | I keep a can for topping casseroles. |
| Condiments | Pickles Dill | As well as other vegies pickled |
| Condiments | Relish Dill | Great in tuna salad |
| Condiments | Salt Seasoned | I mix my own and use frequently |
| Condiments | Sauce Casso Dip | Use as dip and in recipes |
| Condiments | Vinegar | This is multi use product is a cooking ingredient, a cleaning product and a pickling agent. I keep 2 gallons per month |
| Condiments | Worcestershire | a bottle of this will last us a year |
| Dry Goods | Bleach | Bleach is important to have in case of difficult times. Used correctly it can help sanitize water for food use. It also disinfects surfaces as well as cleaning laundry. I keep 1 gal for each month |
| Dry Goods | Detergent | I think you simply should observe your own use for a couple of months, then store 25% over your estimated need |
| Dry Goods | Hygiene (deodorant, soap..) | This is, of course a long and highly individualized list. Stock up when your favorite products are on sale, then remember that baking soda or salt can substitute for toothpaste; castile soap works for shampoo etc., etc., etc. |
| Dry Goods | Mending | If you don't sew, do keep a container of basic mending needs in your pantry "just in case". |
| Dry Goods | Pan Spray | I make pan spray from 1 part olive oil and6 parts vodka in a spritz bottle. Shake well before use. |
| Dry Goods | Paper Plates | I keep some on hand. |
| Dry Goods | Paper Products | I try not to use many paper towels or napkins preferring cloth that can be reused, but stock to suit your own expected uses. |
| Food Storage | Pickle Lime | Make pickles from any 'firm' vegies you have access to. |
| Food Storage | Pickle Mix | Make pickles from any 'firm' vegies you have access to. |
| Food Storage | Pickle Spice | Make pickles from any 'firm' vegies you have access to. |
| Food Storage | Salt Canning | Make pickles from any 'firm' vegies you have access to. |
| Food Storage | Salt Ice Cream | |
| Food Storage | Sure Jell | Make jelly from many fruits and fruit juices |
| Fruit | Pumpkin | Great for pies and breads. Also a good addition to muffins. |
| Grain | Grits | One of our favorite starches for breakfast and supper. |
| Grain | Oats | I much prefer "real" oats. Use for baking, breading and breakfast. |
| Grain | Pasta | I like to make noodles, but always keep several kinds of pasta on hand for quick meals. |
| Juice | Juices not Tomato | Only 100% juices. You can always water them down yourself if you wish |
| Juice | Tomato Juice | I use a lot of tomato juice in cooking as well as to drink. |
| Meat | Hash Corned Beef | A great quick supper with eggs and toast. |
| Meat | Peanut Butter | So nutritious and versatile. |
| Meat | Sardines | A great source of calcium, and a handy lunch. |
| Meat | Tuna | Don't over so the tuna due to mercury concerns, but still a staple at our house. |
| Milk | Milk Evap | So good to have on hand when fresh milk is not available. |
| Milk | Milk Powdered | Can be added to everything from meatloaf to soup for an extra calcium/nutrition boost. |
| Nuts | Mixed Canned | A great source of filling nutritious protein. |
| Nuts | Nuts halves and chopped | Use for baking and for snacking. |
| Oil | Oil Corn | I use most of my corn oil by adding a teaspoon full to my dogs food every other day or so. |
| Oil | Oil Lard | I bake all my pie dough with lard, and occasionally fry in it as well. |
| Oil | Oil Olive | The bulk of my cooking oil is olive oil. |
| Safety | Candles n Matches | Keep them handy for emergencies, and for nice candle lit dinners. |
| Safety | Medicine Chest | This too, is a separate and lengthy list. My 'must haves' include hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, betadine, Vaseline, dressings, tape and a few OTC medications. |
| Sauce | Alfrado | I keep a few jars on hand for quick meals. |
| Sauce | Sloppy Joe sauce | Another handy "quickie" whether home canned or store bought. |
| Sauce | Spaghetti | |
| Seasoning | Spice Basil | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Bay | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Cayenne | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Celery | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice chili | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice cinnamon | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice clove | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Cumin | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Dill | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Flavoring Almond | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Flavoring butter | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Flavoring Maple | |
| Seasoning | Spice Garlic | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Ginger | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Lemon pepper | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Mustard | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Nutmeg | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Onion powder | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Oregano | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Paprika | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice pepper | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice rosemary | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Sage | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice tarragon | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Thyme | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Spice Vanilla | Fresh herbs can be dried or frozen. Spices and herbs I buy only in the amount I expect to use in 6 month or less due to freshness concerns |
| Seasoning | Tomato Bouillon | Great to add to soups and sauces. |
| Soup | Chili | I usually can my own in both pints and quarts. |
| Soup | Chili 1 Gal size | I keep one on hand for unexpected company. |
| Soup | Soups | Think about soups that are good as ingredients in recipes. |
| Staple | Baking Soda | I use quite a bit of soda because I clean as well as cook with it. |
| Staple | Coffee | A small jar of instant and several cans of ground. |
| Staple | Corn husks | For tamales |
| Starch | Corn Meal | For corn bread, cornmeal mush and for breading fish, etc. |
| starch | Corn Starch | For baking |
| Sweetening | Honey | Both for eating and cooking. |
| Sweetening | Sugar Brown | Primarily for baking. |
| Sweetening | Sugar Granulated | Baking and sweetening. |
| Sweetening | Sugar Pwd | Baking and sweetening. |
| Sweets | Candy Hard | |
| Sweets | Jam n Jelly | I like to have lots of variety. |
| Sweets | Jell-O | Old fashioned salads and deserts are surprisingly good. |
| Sweets | Marsh Mellows | Tiny for cocoa and large for toasting. |
| Sweets | Sugar White | Baking and sweetening. |
| Sweets | Syrup Corn | Baking and sweetening. |
| Sweets | Syrup Pancake | Or just make it with sugar, water and maple flavoring. |
| Sweets | Syrup Snow Cone | We like to make sno-cones in the summer. |
| Vegie | Asparagus | Frozen is best, but we like canned as well |
| Vegie | Beans Baked | Great side dish |
| Vegie | Beans black | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Beans chili | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Beans Dry | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Beans Pinto | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Beans Refried | Or simply mash chili beans with a bit of butter and garlic |
| Vegie | Beets | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Butter Beans | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Corn | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Corn Creamed | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Green French Cut Beans | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Greens Spinach, Turnip, etc. | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Kraut | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Lima Beans | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Mixed Vegies | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Mushrooms | |
| Vegie | Peas Black Eyed | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Peas Sweet | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Potato Flakes | Handy for thickening and a quick side dish with a bit of butter and cheese. |
| Vegie | Salsa | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Tomato Sauce | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Tomatoes Diced | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Tomatoes Paste | Store bought |
| Vegie | Tomatoes w/chilies | Store bought or home canned |
| Vegie | Water Chestnuts | Nice addition to quick stir fry dishes. |
Non Food Items
| CANDLES AND MATCHES |
| CLEANING SUPPLIES |
| FIRST AID SUPPLIES |
| GROOMING SUPPLIES |
| MEDICINE CHEST |
| MISC: String, rope, batteries, etc |
| OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS |
| PAPER PRODUCTS |
| PERSONAL PRODUCTS |
| SEWING KIT |
