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Articles, How-To's and Interviews -
Personal Finances
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Written by DivaTribe
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Having a well-stocked pantry makes cooking easier and more enjoyable,
opens up possibilities when you're faced with "what's for dinner?" and
can help you stick to a food budget. After all, the more you eat in,
the less you're spending in restaurants. DivaTribe has put together
this list to help you create and maintain a pantry. Use it as a guide;
feel free to modify it to suit your own tastes.
Dry and Canned Goods
- white rice
- pastas: spaghetti, rigatoni - go for a variety
- couscous
- canned beans: black, pinto, kidney, other
- refried beans
- canned tuna, canned chicken
- chicken and vegetable broth
- canned tomatoes - diced or whole
- tomato paste
- pasta sauce
- cream of mushroom/chicken soup
- diced green chiles
- bread crumbs
- brown sugar
- cocoa
- sugar
- fresh garlic
- dried herbs and seasonings
- black pepper
- baking soda, baking powder
- corn starch
- flour
- salt
- Bisquick
- Nonfat powdered milk
- Potatoes: Russet and red
- Onions: Red and white
- Pam cooking spray (if you're lightening up)
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Liquids
- vinegars: red wine, balsamic
- olive oil
- dark sesame oil
- soy sauce
- salsa
- honey
- canola or other vegetable oil
- Cooking wine (Sherry, Marsala)
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For Variety
- Jarred Olives: Pimento stuffed green, black Kalamata
- Pine nuts, sesame seeds (they keep well in freezer)
- Capers
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In the Refrigerator
- eggs
- cheese - Jack, cheddar, mozzarella
- butter
- plain yogurt and/or sour cream
- milk
- tortillas
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In the Freezer
- frozen vegetables: spinach, mixed, other
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ground turkey, ground beef
- orange and apple juice concentrate
Foods that Don't Freeze Well
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Food Subsitutions:
When You Don't Have The Right Ingredients
Note that you can shred cheese and store it in the freezer in freezer
safe containers or bags, in 1-2 cup portions. You can also make your
own spaghetti sauce and freeze it. When you see a good price on bread,
bagels or tortillas, buy extra and freeze some. If you have room to
grow a few herbs, either indoors or out, try parsley, basil, oregano,
cilantro or chives.
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