Building up your pantry and staying within a budget

My Grandmother, was a brilliant cook, and if you showed an interest in the kitchen, she was more than happy to pass on her knowledge. One of the main things that she taught me, is that it was essential to have a comprehensive pantry, filled with all of the basic items of non perishable or slow perishable foods. These could be used to put together a meal, when the wallet was empty and so were our tummies.
I'm going to put together a list of items that you'll always find in my pantry. and I can promise you, that you'll always be able to put a meal together.
Also I thought I'd mention that long gone are the days when the pantry consisted of a large cupboard. These days a pantry must include your handy freezer.
Please find me in the staples forum for a list of some of my pantry items and some of the meals I can make with them.
I will also pass on some of my own strategies for keeping within a budget while shopping, and always coming out with change.
By the way, Thanks littlemissjen for putting this up, I hope I can help you along. I hope there are many more out there willing to share their own experiences in feeding the family.

I think that's a brilliant idea i'm a shocker for buying items as i need them so when i go to make something from a recipe i'm always having to write a shopping list of things i need lol

Look forward to seeing it mumje

BUILDING UP YOUR PANTRY AND STAYING WITHIN BUDGET.

Having a well stocked pantry is essential for my kitchen. If anything i over stock. Having said that it has got me out of a jam more than a few times. Especially when im short on coin.

My must haves would be, pasta, rice, tin tomatoes, stock ( chicken, beef and vegetable), a few tins of soup ( although i prefer home made, they are always good for an easy meal ), flour, sugar, eggs, butter, olive oil, tin tuna, lentils, chickpeas and also a couple packs of frozen veggies ( again I prefer fresh, but they do come in handy).

One of my families favourite meals, and one that is definately a frequent flyer is my ' tuna and tomato casserole with rice .' Meets all the pre requisits. Healthy, cheap, makes heaps, can freeze well, and is really yum.

I will be adding this to the fish and seafood forum for those who would like to try it.

Happy cooking

LittleMissJen.