What do you keep in the cupboard as staples?

[Charley]

Just wondering what you keep in the cupboard for days that you don't want to go grocery shopping, but want to cook a cold weather meal.

I usually have the fixings for chili....tomato juice, frozen hamburger or ground venison, chili powder, black pepper, salt, brown sugar, and green peppers.

For soups and stews....I usually have frozen mixed veggies, potatoes (canned and fresh), green peppers and onions (frozen and fresh), seasonings, frozen stew meat or hamburger or chicken, flour, gravy mixes, chicken and beef stock, vegetable boullion, and worchestershire sauce...

Just thinking of stocking up and wondering what everyone else stocks up on. :lol:

 

[Marty]

For winter, I stock up on lots of canned foods because we never know when the power will be going out around here. Ravioli, spaghetti, chicken and dumplins and canned stew will be flooding the cabinets. I will also start now buying canned vegetables by the case. Corn, peas, green beans etc.

I will also buy some canned chili and lots of soups by the case too.

In my freezer, I will stock up on those crock pot banquet dinners.

 

[jayne]

I am one of those people who hates to shop at the last minute. I always want to have just about anything available at home for anything I'd like to make. Usually what I do is take something out of the freezer on my way out to work in the morning, then make it when I get home. Or plan a little better ahead and put stuff in the crock pot in the morning. Here's what I usually have on hand:

FREEZER (all of it bought on sale):

Chicken

Hamburger

Hamburger patties

Steaks

Beef roast

Pork roast

Country style pork ribs (no bones)

Ham

Small turkey

Fish fillets

PANTRY:

Cans: tomato sauce, paste, and diced

veggies of all types

tuna (home canned)

soups for casseroles: cream of mushroom, cream of celery, tomato

Dry: flours (white, wheat, rye)

rolled oats

all the baking things like soda, baking powder, etc.

nuts: walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts (OK I'm a nut freak)

baking extras: dried cranberries, choc chips, coconut, etc.

boxes of different flavored jello and pudding

lots of different herbs and spices, including chicken and beef soup base, dried mushrooms

dry beans and peas

Wet: olive oil, canola oil, cider vinegar, vanilla, corn syrup, maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil, etc.

FRIDGE:

Milk

Eggs from our own chickens

Cheese: feta, cheddar, pepper jack, swiss, cream, mozarella/provolone, parmesan (OK, we're cheese freaks too, but the hubby is from Wisconsin)

Bottled stuff for cooking like: bbq sauce, teriaki sauce, sezchuan sauce, oyster sauce, ginger soy sauce, etc.

Real butter (no margarine)

Veggies: carrots and potatoes (from our garden), onions (lots), red peppers, celery (a MUST), mushrooms

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot here, but this is a good start. I am really interested to hear what others have to say. Sometimes I feel like I am in a rut and like to get new ideas! Bring it on!

Jayne

 

[Jill]

For the cupboard, rice, pasta and pasta mixes, canned soups, canned veggies and fruits, canned beans, jars of speghetti sauce, peanut butter, jellies. In the freezer, frozen chicken breasts, hamburger, lasagna, pizza, etc.

 

[Buckskin gal]

My pantry and freezer is similar to Jaynes. I really like going to Costco once every month or two to buy in quantity for I hate shopping. Always buy their fresh frozen veggies such as corn. peas and stir fry veggies because they are soooo good. Stock up on thier cheeses for lasagna and casseroles. Always have Prego sauce, tomato sauce, and canned tomatos on hand for cooking stews and casserols. Buy thier canned mushrooms by the box, their albocore tuna is wonderful. The frozen foods are all wonderful for stocking up on. Oh yea, I have to get their walnuts and pecans for baking because they are the very best flavor! Mary

 

[Sterling]

Well if I stock up too much most of it goes to pot. I go to the grocery store about every 3 days for fresh veggies, fruit and everyday staples. I usually keep mostly dry goods on hand such as flour, pasta, Ramen noodles soups, brown sugar, baking powder...etc.... Some cans including beans, veggies, white chicken fillet, vienna sausages.

I think I must be a very picky person when it comes to food. I don't do leftovers if left for over 2 days in the fridge. Got sick off of chili once that was a couple of days old and swore I'd never do that again! I don't keep a lot of meats in the freezer either...I like them fairly fresh.