Today we’ve partnered with WOLF to share some easy meals you can make with a well-stocked pantry. A stocked pantry takes some work every few months, but then I have everything to make weeknight meals even if I haven’t had time to pick up groceries. Since everything is non perishable it lasts and I can “shop my pantry” when I am brainstorming weekly meal ideas. We try to go to the Farmers Market once a week to supplement and pick up fresh produce or else fill in with grocery delivery when we get too busy. But even when I don’t feel like I have it all together I can usually scrounge together a decent meal with dry goods from the pantry and a few items that keep well in the fridge. Since the ingredients we have on hand vary, we play a little fast and loose with the recipe. Wolf’s “Reclaim Your Kitchen” initiative is awesome because it’s all about inspiring people to get into their kitchens, sharing easy meals, and providing tips for new cooks. So, we designed this practical and easy cheat sheet to help you reclaim your kitchen and recreate our favorite pantry meals below. As long as you have all the basic gear and ingredients on hand, these recipes are no-brainers! Here are some of my favorite meals when there is “nothing to eat.”
The GREEN Salad. Sometimes I’m just craving a salad and other times I just want the satisfaction that you can only get by watching your children consume green vegetables. Here is what you need for a last-minute salad.
Leafy Greens- I usually keep spinach on hand because it keeps well, and you can pretty much add it to anything and my kids will still eat it. I buy the pre-rinsed kind because if it’s easy I am more likely to eat it.
Acini di pepe- We buy this stuff in bulk. It’s just pasta in little balls, but it’s easy to add to a salad or soup to make it more hefty. It keeps well on the shelf.
Almonds- We buy this in bulk and you can add them straight or if I have a little more time I toast them or candy them (so good in salads!) I also add almonds to my kids’ lunches when they need more protein and healthy fats, and we’re out of other proteins.
Olives- These are one of the few things I buy canned. It really helps my kids get excited about salads or veggie trays.
Parmesan Cheese- This stuff is great because it keeps so well. I always keep some in the fridge.
Vinaigrette- Any good olive oil and vinegar will do. I’m partial to Balsamic.
The PASTA! Carbs are pretty much the best. Here is an easy tasty version of our favorite pasta.
Fennel Seed -A chef friend taught me to add toasted fennel into every pasta/tomato sauce and it’s my favorite secret ingredient.
Canned Tomatoes – Cans of tomatoes are so good in soups or sauces.
Acini di pepe- My kids love this pasta!
Spinach-I throw this in everything.
Parmesan Cheese-Use a microplane and top each serving with a nice dose.
The SOUP. This meal takes about as long to make as it takes to boil the broth. We always add eggs in for extra protein.
Broth- This keeps well and I always buy it in large quantities on my big trips to the grocery store.
Veggies – This soup is perfect for the veggies that haven’t gone bad yet, but aren’t quite fresh enough for a salad. Just chop them thin so they cook fast. Our favorites are carrots, celery, zucchini, and bell peppers because they keep well.
Acini di pepe – This makes the soup a little more robust.
Spinach- This is to pack in extra greens.
Egg- These are great to add in as the soup is boiling. Crack and drop them in for 3-4 minutes for a soft-boiled egg.
What are your favorite go-to weeknight meals?
Photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day
This post was brought to you by Wolf.
Michelle
October 26, 2016
That’s so helpful, thank you!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Luisa
October 26, 2016
Thanks for all the ideas! That brothy soup with veggies and pasta is definitely a keeper.
Natalie
October 26, 2016
My favourite pantry dish is a good chilli, you can make it with so many dry/canned goods that you really don’t need to get that much stuff. I also love a good thai red curry soup, because you can do with with so many different veg and its always delish
– Natalie
http://www.workovereasy.com
Giulia Malano
October 27, 2016
Amazing post!!
http://julesonthemoon.blogspot.it/