Pantry is bare desperation dinners (ingredients, chicken, pancakes, beef)

[silibran]

I do know how tempting it is to go out to eat when there is nothing much in the house to prepare. But, surely you have had to decide to just make something, even though the somethings you have to work with are pretty scanty. We decided to eat in a couple of nights ago, even though we haven’t shopped in over a week.

I made biscuits and topped them with creamed canned salmon. It was actually good! But I consider that a desperation meal. What do you fix when you need to eat in, but the pantry is pretty bare? Do you have a strategy you care to share? Do you have foods you always have on hand for whatever presents itself?

I keep canned beans, tomatoes, canned fish and eggs around. And of course, I always have coffee.

All you good cooks, share your tactics.

[JrzDefector]

Refried beans and cheese quesadillas. I always keep mexican blend cheese in the fridge and refried black beans in the cabinet.

If you have salsa or bbq sauce, it's pretty darn yummy. And it's ALWAYS filling.

Anything with eggs or peanut butter.

I always have the following in the fridge: lemon/lime, eggs, parmesan, mexican blend cheese
And I always have the following in my pantry: tortillas, rice, ramen noodles, canned beans

[evening sun]

Corned beef ( canned) melted over potatoes & onions. I always keep a can of corned beef in pantry. Also beans & cheese. Eggs are good for frittata or omelette, use & incorporate, whatever leftover veg or meats you have




corned beef recipe:
http://www.scotlands-enchanting-king...e-stovies.html

[Brian_M]

I always, ALWAYS, have frozen soup on hand. Rarely do I have fewer than 2 kinds, normal is 4 kinds of soup (and a few meals of each). Ditto with Chili and Spaghetti sauce. They're just a constant, so I always do multiples when preparing them. I also tend to have ready-to-cook meals that were previously prepared (cabbage rolls, lasagna, chicken pot pie, etc...) and are in the freezer, just need an hour or so in the oven from frozen.

I live in the boonies, going out to eat is a 3 hour ordeal (an hour driving each way).

[Threestep2]

The pantry is never bare.

[Missy2U]

I always have Buddig Beef in the freezer so if I'm desperate, it's Creamed Chip Beef on Toast.


We always have spaghetti noodles in the pantry, and we always have cheese, so I can also do a spaghetti casserole if need be.


I always have the ingredients for pancakes.


Finally, a peanut butter sandwich is sometimes just what the Dr. ordered.

[saibot]

I almost always have these on hand:

Tortillas, cheese, black beans, and salsa = quesadillas or burritos

Bread, cheese, tuna, mayo = tuna melts

Eggs, onions, bell peppers, cheese = omelets

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Threestep

The pantry is never bare.

Yeah, here too.

Grilled cheese and soup.
Pancakes/waffles.
BLT.
Chef's salad.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by Threestep

The pantry is never bare.

LOL. This. Even when it is "bare" such as before trips, there is a lot of stuff in it.

But I'll play.

DH used to eat protein from a can at work, so when he retired I ended up with canned meat. Being frugal, I do my best to make it work.

Canned chicken, quinoa (costco bag, always there....), and black beans. With lots of spices, canned ortega chilis and olives it could work. Normally I add fresh chilis and cheese.

Tuna on crackers.

Bean soup.

Rice and creamed chicken (never made this but it sounds like it may taste good).

[gentlearts]

I always have spaghetti and jars of sauce.