As we’ve seen recently, there are some potential supply chain issues going on that could get worse. Now, don’t look at me like I’m “some crazy prepper” because it’s really not that crazy when you think about it. We have a lot going on in the world right now and woah, the anxiety that accompanies it can be crippling. One of the ways that I’ve approached that anxiety is to be prepared for anything that could come our way with a working pantry. This means I’m always cycling through things and nothing sits too long to possibly go bad.
We talked a bit about what I’d buy first (like right now) on Instagram with the potential impending supply chain disruption, but I wanted to keep that all in one place. I’ll also come back and add a larger, more in depth “PREP” list of other things to start to get on hand just in case because there was a lot of interest in that too!
What I’d Buy Right Now
Baking Items
Have you ever heard people say “get your flour and sugar”? Well that rings true here too. And you want to make sure you have some recipes readily available as well, so grab one of my favorite cookbooks or print things out from the internet.
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Cacao/cocoa
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Good Himalayan Sea Salt
- Unsalted Butter (you can freeze this)
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Honey
In this “short list” case, we’re not prepping for worst case scenario. This is all stuff you will actually WANT to eat. That’s why you won’t see anything on my short list that my family doesn’t regularly consume or cook with.
Kid Foods & Snacks
I like to keep 4-5 of every single thing that my kids like to eat. You don’t have to buy it all at once, each week, buy 2-3 of a few things and put them back. Remember, this is the short list of what to keep on hand in your working pantry, so it’s things they love, things they’ve eaten in the past, things that you either have room for in the freezer or that are shelf stable. You already know what your kids like, just have a few extra on hand. This has saved me from a toddler meltdown multiple times too when we run out, but I have extras in the basement.
- Squeezies
- Canned/packed tuna
- Cereals
- Steel cut oats
- Regular oats (can make granola with this)
- Chips
- Crackers of any kind
- Nuts (multiple kinds they like)
- Beef Jerky
- Organic hot dots (freezer)
- Chicken nuggets (freezer)
Working Pantry Items for Meals You Love
This is going to be specific for you and your family. For us, it would be things like ingredients for:
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Shepherds Pie
- Chili
- Tacos
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Flatbreads
Personal Care Products
- Tooth brushes
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Razors
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Diapers
- Wipes
Vitamins and Supplements
If you or your family gets sick, you want to make sure you have everything on hand that you’ll need in your working pantry. This includes your day to day vitamins that will keep you from getting sick. Check out this blog post for the full wellness guide and what we take on a daily basis. In short, things to have on hand are:
That’s the bare minimum when it comes to supplements, check out the Wellness Kit Guide for more.
Recipes to Make with What You’ve Got in Your Working Pantry
- Scones are a great thing to learn how to make with your baking goods. You can make them sweet or savory, add frozen fruit, dried bacon bits. Whip up an icing or a sauce to dip them in and you’ve got breakfast! This is an Herbed Cheddar Scone recipe, but you can adapt it to be sweet too.
- Chicken pot pie: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/favorite-chicken-potpie/
- Shepherd’s Pie: This shepherd’s pie can be made with or without a crust. Sometimes we make it in a large pyrex and then scoop at it throughout the week for lunches or snacks. I personally love it with a crust because it makes it feel more “put together”, but it does make less food. https://www.thewholesomedish.com/the-best-classic-shepherds-pie/
- Chicken and Noodles made with Bone Broth: https://www.inspiredtaste.net/37475/homemade-chicken-noodle-soup-recipe/
- Fluffy Pancakes from Scratch. These are great for making in one big batch and then freezing if you need something that the kids can easily pop into the toaster for breakfast. Serve with fruit compote, maple syrup or tip with honey. https://www.inspiredtaste.net/24593/essential-pancake-recipe/
- Banana Muffins: Not sure what to do with those squishy bananas? I’ve had so much trouble finding a good banana bread recipe that actually bakes well. The last three times, mine has turned out to be so gooey, and that’s with me trying 3-4 different recipes. Ask my mom, she cringes at the thought of banana bread now after all of our bad experiences recently haha! https://www.inspiredtaste.net/12071/banana-chip-muffins-recipe/
- Corn Bread: You’ll need to keep cornmeal on hand for this one, so make sure you add it to your Stock Up List. https://www.inspiredtaste.net/12071/banana-chip-muffins-recipe/
- Chili: This can be made with ground beef or just with beans if you don’t have meat on hand. Use bone broth to give you that extra bump of nutrients: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/beef-and-bean-chili-107079
- Dutch Baby Bake: Have lots of eggs on hand for whatever reason? Make a Ditch baby. These are so good and can be served sweet with syrup or savory with added onions, dill and sourcream. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-dutch-baby-pancake-227629
- Grilled Cheese: Quick tip: Instead of putting butter on the outside of the bread, use a little mayo to get that perfectly brown, crispy exterior.
- Tuna Melts/Sandwiches: You can keep tuna on hand in packets or cans. It keeps well on the shelf and is easy to grab if you need a protein boost.
- Spaghetti: This one is simple. Noodles. Sauce. Maybe some cheese and done!
- Beef Stew: https://damndelicious.net/2020/02/29/best-ever-beef-stew/
- Beef Roast: https://www.cookingclassy.com/slow-cooker-pot-roast/
Emergency Items I’d Buy Next
Coming Soon…
One Comment
Pingback: