Check out my progress on Pantry Clean-Out
With my monthly rent recently paid and my bank account tragically bereft of funds, I have decided to embark on a new project, Operation: Pantry Clean-Out.
Currently, my pantry has an overabundance of a few Broccoli Hut essentials, namely nut butters and canned beans. You see, I’ve developed a bad habit of buying certain items at the store out of routine, not necessarily out of need. Week in and week out, I make my usual loop around the store, nonchalantly tossing the usual products in the cart. As much as I’d like to believe that you can never have too many cans of chickpeas, it’s simply not true. My budget and my cupboard space just can’t handle it all.
Accordingly, I am making an attempt to clean out the pantry over the next few weeks. Aside from produce and assorted perishables, I’m going to keep grocery purchases to a minimum.
Do you ever have pantry overflow? Which items do you tend to overbuy?
Let the clean-out begin!
For breakfast, I had my favorite cinnamon raisin Ezekiel-cottage cheese combo. So easy, so delicious.
Today’s lunch was another sweet hummus experiment. This time, I included pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and almond butter in the mix.
Dinner was an Ellie recipe, Fried Rice with Scallions, Edamame, and Tofu.
My tweaks:
-I used a whole egg for 1 serving as opposed to the half-egg that accurate scaling would have required. It’s just not convenient to divide a whole egg.
-My ingredient ratios were a little off, mostly because I used much more tofu than called for in the recipe. What can I say? I like tofu…a lot.
-I added sesame seeds, just for giggles.
I’ve never made fried rice before, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I loved the bright mix of colors in this dish, and the only thing that might have made it better would be a little toasted sesame oil on top:)
The recipe is available online: Fried Rice with Scallions, Edamame, and Tofu
Alright, I am off to relax. Good night, lovelies.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I am in the exact same position with food except I have to be out of my dorm in a month… yikes! I have mostly beans and grains to use up. And I got the waffle coupons in the mail today, thank you so much!
I LOVE fried rice. Good choice!
I tend to buy too much flour, pumpkin cans and spices.
I over buy produce items. I don’t know why I always buy 2 bunches of kale when I tend to only eat 1 bunch. You live and you learn.
Ahh, the pantry clean-out. I need to do that very soon LOL!
Mmm, all of your food looks amazing and super tasty
I need to do a pantry clean up – pronto. Last time I did one was September.
I love homemade fried rice – so delicious and simple!
Sweet maple pumpkin hummus sounds FABULOUS! I must try!! And I think the pantry cleanout sounds like a great idea. I always seem to have access grains, beans & tomato sauce. And yayy for fried rice. I made some last week and am in love. Enjoy your Friday
For the longest time, I would buy cans of multiple kinds of beans every time I went to Whole Foods. I finally put the breaks on until I finished everything, and I’m proud to say I’m down to one can of lentils and one can of kidney beans. Soon, I’ll get to restock! I miss the variety, but I’ve gotten good at creating recipes or adapting them for the beans I need to use up.
Ellie’s recipe is our favorite fried rice, I make it monthly around here and we all love it! My son loves anything asian and with sou sauce in it so he really likes this dish.
And funny you mentioned it, I always add a drizzle of sesame oil to our fried ride in the pan as it is done, definitely adds a touch, and tons of flavor!
Ana
Funny…I buy those same beans no matter what EVERY time I am at WF which is like twice a week….except when I hit the frugal time (like what you are going through).
I will never be unable to make hummus.