Here's a list of some of amazing spice blends and sauces to inspire you. These building blocks -- boxed stock and bone broth and bouillon powders, cubes, and pastes -- are the foundation to all the cooking you want to do all season long. From simple soups to complex sauce work, from stews and braises to risottos or pilafs, having a mix of flavors can be really useful.
I buy chicken and vegetable flavors for lighter dishes and beef and veal for sauces or slow-cooked meals. There is nothing worse than baking powder or soda that no longer lift, or yeast that won't proof. And rancid nuts and pest-infested flour are the worst. Check all the "best by" dates on your key baking supplies and be sure that this year when the bug hits and you want to make that cake or those cookies, you are using ingredients that won't let you down.
Sure, a peanut butter sandwich is a classic lunch, and peanut butter on crackers or celery sticks or apple slices is a healthy snack. But there are also all kinds of fabulous nut butters out there, so this year stock up on some variety in your pantry, and bring in not just peanut, but pistachio, cashew, and almond butters, and a variety of jams and jellies to please everyone in your household.
The king of cheeses makes everything it touches better, especially for fall and winter cooking. So, invest in a large wedge or two of the good stuff -- Parmigiano Reggiano -- and store it properly. From a flurry of finely grated cheese on your popcorn, to shreds on your pasta, to a rind bobbing in your soup to flavor it, you will turn to this magic ingredient again and again all season long. Parm freezes well, so carve into chunks the size you will use up a couple of weeks at a time, then wrap well in plastic then foil and pop in a freezer bag to grab new ones as needed.
Almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are all great choices, but don't be afraid to go with cashews or hazelnuts, too. Fresh nuts are loaded with natural oils that deteriorate with time, so store them in the fridge or freezer. Nut Butters: Peanut butter is a natural to have on hand, and is a good source of easy protein, especially for kids or when you are on the go. But don't overlook other nut butters like almond butter, which makes for a great change, or tahini sesame paste, which can be a wonderful addition to homemade hummus or salad dressings.
Healthier Snacks: One thing that can be difficult if you aren't used to working from home or hosting impromptu homeschooling is the constant access to snacks. In combination with boredom, having lots of sweets and junk foods on hand can create a constant temptation.
Pretzels and popcorn are healthier choices than chips for salty snacking, and think about squares of dark chocolate or fruit leathers instead of candy. Shelf-Stable Milk: Shelf-stable milk, whether true dairy or a plant-based milk, is a good thing to have on hand in place of refrigerated, although once you open a package, you have to refrigerate it.
Be sure to read and follow package directions. Evaporated milk in cans can be a good substitute for half and half in your coffee. Frozen Vegetables : Without grocery store access, you can still prepare for a well-rounded diet with plenty of vegetables by taking advantage of the frozen food aisle. From basic frozens like broccoli or peas, to beta-carotene rich carrots and squashes, and homemade staples like frozen chopped onion, having a well-stocked freezer will help ensure that you maintain a diet rich in plants.
Since you will likely be missing fresh lettuces after your first few days, be sure to have a variety of leafy greens as well, like frozen spinach, kale, or collards. Get recipes using frozen vegetables. Frozen Fruit: Some fruits freeze better than others, but having frozen fruit means you are just a blender away from smoothies; and there is no better time to learn how to make homemade pies and jam than when you are home all day.
Get recipes using frozen fruit. Frozen Bread: Best breads to freeze are whole unsliced loaves of sourdough, loaves with fruit and nuts, and English Muffins or bagels for sandwiches and breakfast. Specialty breads like Ezekiel bread are stored in the freezer anyway. Cheese: When properly wrapped , hard and aged cheeses like Parmesan, Cheddar and Swiss will last a good while in your fridge, as will cured meats like ham, bacon, and salami.
Eggs: Eggs store very well in the fridge and can be used for every meal of the day. From your breakfast scramble , to your lunchtime quiche, to your fried rice at dinnertime , and many baking projects in between. A great source of protein, you can keep some raw for cooking and some hard-boiled for snacks or easy egg salad. Dried fruits are terrific for snacks and fiber.
Butter: If you are going to be baking and cooking, you do not want to run out of butter! Look for the brands that make half-sticks, and store in the freezer, taking out what you need as you need it.
Medicines: Sure, not part of your pantry, but worth reiterating so you don't forget it. You should ensure that you have a two-week supply of any medications or supplements that you take on a regular basis.
If you have children, stock up on essentials like diapers, formula, and other supplies; including some canned and bottled products like Pediasure and Pedialyte in case they get sick and need easy protein sources or electrolyte replacement.
And have your basic preferred flu and cold relief meds on hand in case you get a regular seasonal illness. Finally, recognize that if you do get stuck at home for a couple of weeks, you will probably not be as active as you would normally be, so unless you have at-home exercise equipment, be mindful of your daily intake and be wary of boredom snacking.
Try and be sure you are moving as much as you can, walking around, stretching or doing yoga, dancing around the room, or trying an app or online exercise video can help reduce stress and keep you healthy. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.
On-shelf availability at supermarkets appears to be trending downward, too, as it decreased from Data from Inmar Intelligence suggests that the panic buying mindset seen earlier last year is once again driving people to load up their carts, Grocery Dive reported. However, rather than running short, food suppliers are preparing by stocking up on inventory items and focusing on top-selling products, CNN noted. While shoppers may not be able to find some of their favorite products, grocers say that there are still plenty of options.
Every day, get fresh ideas on how to save and make money and achieve your financial goals. Sponsored Links by Zergnet. Sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest financial news and trending topics. For our full Privacy Policy, click here. Advertiser Disclosure. By Josephine Nesbit October 20, Make Your Money Work for You.
About the Author Josephine Nesbit. Josephine Nesbit is a freelance writer specializing in real estate and personal finance. Her work has appeared in print and online publications such as Fox Business and Scotsman Guide.
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