On Hand (A Well-Stocked Pantry)
Teton Family Magazine | Winter 2010
View article as published, starting on page 24 >
The On Hand of the title does not refer to tattoos, manicures, jewelry or even the intricate henna designs applied to women’s hands for Hindu festivals. This On Hand is a reference to the manner a household is organized for both convenience and economy. When you are the one who provides the household with daily comfort and nourishment, it’s good to have ease and options.
What is in your pantry and cupboards, your root cellar, refrigerator and freezer that allows you more independence from daily trips to the grocery store? That’s what’s on hand. When you or your kids or your partner arrive home from a challenging day, do you have an array of choices for some nutritious snacks that fill the immediate need of rumbling stomachs and edgy tempers? On hand you might have a bowl full of dried apricots and whole almonds or sliced apples and pecan halves. It’s relief in an instant.
Planning ahead can allow your life to be more pleasurable and less driven, to use a pun. There are many times when it would be great to stay home, rather than get in your auto and fight the weather, time and traffic because there is nothing on hand for dinner. If you think long term, then you can free up your short term.
Some days the circumstances might be the complete opposite. Out in the world, if the day has been filled with long work hours and too many errands, adding a trip to the market might be just too much. Knowing that the ingredients for a delicious risotto are waiting at home could save you from that half hour detour. A glass of wine while you stir the risotto could put you back on top of the world.
It’s aroma therapy to fill your home with the smells of home cooked slow food. Many cooking projects work perfectly in tandem with a day at home while you are focused on other chores. Whether it’s desk work or house cleaning, it can be great to take breaks and do some cooking or baking. Moving back and forth between the computer and the kitchen gives parts of your brain time to expand and absorb, your legs and back have a chance to stretch. Pounding on bread dough is a fabulous stress reliever. By the end of the day, there will be a meal of tasty soup and warm bread fit for kings or your own family.
It’s a bit of a trick these days, as the pace of life continually seems to quicken and the responsibilities mount, to find relief. Or even to get far enough outside oneself to realize how deeply ingrained one is in the routine. If any of this sounds familiar, then take a breath. Ponder how it feels and how you might create more flexibility. Take a load off your shoulders, even bit by bit, and find some pleasure. Maybe some of these ideas are for you. Maybe this format will lead you to solutions of your own. Make sure that what helps you is on hand.
Thoughts on Stocking Up
Stocking up is like a savings account. Each time you grocery shop, purchase some food item to save for a rainy day. Build up your larder bit by bit and it won’t feel overwhelming.
The Pantry
Unbleached & Whole wheat flour
Corn meal
Rolled oats
Baking soda & Baking powder
Non-instant powdered milk
Yeast
Spices & Herbs
Vegetable oil & Olive oil for cooking
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic, apple cider & rice vinegar
Rice vinegar
Soy sauce
Granulated & powdered sugar
Brown sugar
Honey
Molasses
Pecans, walnuts & almonds
Chocolate chips & baking squares
Raisins, dried apricot & dried cranberries
Jams and jellies
Peanut butter
Dried figs
Dried tomatoes
Dried mushrooms
Pasta, in several shapes
Rice – brown , white, sushi, risotto
Quinoa, barley, kasha
Beans and legumes, canned and dried
Boxed or canned broth – chicken, vegetable, beef
Tuna
Clams & Clam broth
Nori and other sea weeds
Olives
Canned tomatoes, sauce and paste
Root Cellar
In modern housing, it’s hard to find a traditional root cellar. They were spaces, dark and cool, where produce like potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, apples, pumpkins, squashes and even cabbages were stored in the fall harvest time. They were protected from freezing and cold enough that foods kept for weeks and even months. Any space like a basement, a closet or lower corner cupboard would work well if is cool, dark and dry.
Buying seasonally and in bulk is a thrifty approach. Cases of apples or other fruits are less expensive per item. Large bags of onions, potatoes and carrots are often available at harvest time from farmers or farm markets.
Recipes
Risotto with Porcini and Sun Dried Tomatoes »
Hearty Barley Soup »
Scones »
Miso Soup »
Baked Apples & Sausage with Baked Potatoes »
Linguine with Clam Sauce »
Cheese Popovers »
Olive Oil Bread »
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