pantry

Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe

August 28, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Make Lentil Soup in the Instant Pot in minutes and enjoy a delicious, hearty soup that is naturally vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free. It's also a great pantry meal option!

instant pot lentil soup in white bowl with title text "Instant Pot Lentil Soup"

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Lentils are a fantastic source of protein and insanely budget-friendly. A 16 ounce bag of dried lentils costs just $.98 in my neck of the woods. They keep in the pantry for up to a year, and cook up in 15 minutes in the Instant Pot or 45 minutes on the stove.

white bowl filled with dried brown lentils

When it comes to cooking lentils, the kind of lentil to choose depends on how you want to cook them. Green and brown lentils hold their shape really well and are perfect for cooking in stews and soups. Brown lentils are the most commonly found variety in the US.

Yellow and red lentils cook more quickly and are better served in salads or pureed in curries. And the best part, lentils are naturally gluten-free, and pack 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving.

Ingredients

Lentils: We will use dried lentils for this recipe, and I recommend using brown or green lentils. They hold their shape really well even in soup. You will need a 1-pound bag or two-ish cups of lentils.

Vegetable Broth: We will need 40 ounces of liquid total for this recipe. You can use a 32 ounce carton of vegetable broth and 8 ounces of water or use a vegetable base and water to prepare 40 ounces of broth.

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Southern Pimento Cheese

August 14, 2020 by Sarah 4 Comments

Southern Pimento cheese is a go-to appetizer for picnics and family gatherings around here. Not only is it super easy to make, it is a great budget-friendly option to feed a crowd.

southern pimento cheese spread in a white bowl sitting on a white platter with carrots and celery

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Southern Pimento Cheese has been a staple in my house my whole life. My dad grew up in Texas and has been putting his own spin on this simple dish for as long as I can remember.

Some will argue that Pimento (or Pimiento, they're both acceptable and mean the same thing) Cheese should contain cream cheese, but I disagree. The simple, affordable ingredients really do allow for the flavors of each component to come through.

Ingredients

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: It is really important to shred the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in a powder to prevent it from clumping, and it really affects the flavor. Take the time to shred it either by using a box grater or a food processor. I call for Sharp Cheddar because you want cheese with a lot of flavor, but Extra Sharp is too overpowering.

Diced Pimientos: These will come in a jar and be in the pickle/olive section of your grocery store. If you can't find diced, you can get a jar of whole or sliced and chop them yourself.

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Casserole Dinners Using Pantry Ingredients

April 2, 2020 by Sarah 2 Comments

Casserole dinners are the best way to use ingredients from your pantry and freezer in a complete, one pot (or pan) meal.

collage image of casserole dinners with title text "Pantry and Freezer Casserole Dinners"

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What is a Casserole?

At its core, a casserole dinner is a dish that is a complete meal in one and is typically served in the same dish it was baked or cooked in.

First, you have a protein. This can be ground meat, diced or canned chicken, any other meat chopped into bite-size pieces or even beans.

Then, you have a starch or carbohydrate. This is usually rice or noodles of some kind.

Next, you have any variety of vegetables. I love to use frozen vegetables because they hold up the the baking and they are cheaper than fresh and easy to store.

Last, you need some kind of sauce to bring it all together. This can be canned soup, broth, gravy, or even cheese. The possibilities really are endless.

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How to Stock Your Pantry on a Budget

March 23, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Building a pantry of dried and canned goods shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. Using these tips, I'll teach you how to stock your pantry on a budget!

glass jars filled with dried lentils, rice and beans sitting on shelf with title text "how to stock your pantry on a budget"

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Stocking up your pantry can very quickly get expensive if you aren’t careful. But, there are a few things you can do to help keep your food bill down without having to sacrifice or go without. I’ve put together a few tips on how to stock your pantry on a budget to help you save money.

Shop Discount Stores

Aldi and Ruler Foods are fantastic places to get food cheaply but they are by no means the only discount stores that exist. In fact, many of them are local stores with clever names like Stuff and Things. Your local dollar store is also a fantastic place to stock up on canned foods. But, make sure you check the expiration date on everything you buy from discount stores before you put them in your basket. You don’t want to buy anything nearing its expiration.

It also helps to know what you already have on hand, so use my free Pantry and Freezer Inventory printables to keep track of what you have in your pantry and what you need to buy.

Buy in Bulk

When possible you can save a considerable amount of money by buying in bulk. Specifically, buying canned foods and dry foods in large quantities can wind up costing less than half the price per ounce as smaller portions. Check the price per unit to see the difference.

If you don't have a need for 20 pounds of flour or rice, you can still shop from the bulk bin aisle of your grocery store. You can bring glass jars with you and fill them with as much or as little as you need.

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