here is the answer to the requests for my pantry essentials list I published last year~

My friend Craig Kettles of C Designs~  has the perfect pantry

I posted this list last year,one of my FaceBook fans requested it. I think that going through your pantry before the holidays is the perfect way to assure that you will have everything at your fingertips when you need it, and that all your guests, friends and family, will be well cared for. So here it is.

Using clear jars can create a pretty & useful panty

Pantry must haves

Tomatoes crushed and sundried

Organic Marinara Sauce

Pimento-jarred

Beans- white, black, pinto

Artichokes

Capers

Tuna and Salmon

Dijon mustard

Salsa

Pasta

Rice

Couscous

Polenta- cornmeal

Broth, veggie, chicken

Flavored oils, garlic, sesame, lemon

Olives

Balsamic vinegar

Soy Sauce

Soba noodles

Nuts, walnuts and almonds

Salts, truffle, garlic

Crackers

Popcorn- microwave

Tortilla chips

Honey, flavored with truffles

Jam, raspberry, fig, apricot, lemon curds

Baking section, flour, sugar, baking powder,corn starch, vanilla, spices such as cinnamon, and chocolate chips, graham crackers

Dried spices, parsley, basil, curry powder

Must haves in the fridge and freezers

Fridge-eggs, parm cheese,soft cheese, fresh garlic, and onion, salad/lettuce, white wine

Freezer- veggies, chicken, ground beef, turkey or buffalo

Quick Appetizers

Olives

Popcorn with truffle flavored salt

Baked artichoke spread, artichoke, parm cheese, garlic salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil serve w/crackers

White and black bean salad, with pimento, stir in salsa

Salsa and chips

Parm cheese with honey and crackers

Parm cheese with jam and crackers

Salmon with capers with dried parsley, and lemon oil and crackers

Artichoke and egg, fritta

Soft cheese with salsa ( pineapple or mango) and crackers

Quick Dinners

Pasta, lemon flavored olive oil, and crushed nuts, with dried basil

Pasta, sun dried tomato and chopped olives, and parm

3 Bean soup with balsamic vinegar reduction.

Couscous with tomato and artichoke and pimento, almonds, with dried basil, with a pinch of cinnamon, served with baked basil, garlic salt and mustard rubbed chicken.

Chicken with rice, sliced almonds, dried basil and chicken stock.

Chicken and tortilla chips with salsa and rice, chicken broth

Curry Chicken and rice soup

Soba noodles and soy sesame sauce, frozen edamame

Baked Polenta, with marinara sauce, parm cheese

Chili, with turkey, beans, tomatoes, garlic, and chicken stock. serve with tortilla chips and salsa

I serve all these with a simple salad with balsamic vinegar and light oil, salt and pepper.

Having a well organized and well stocked pantry gives me the tools to make entertaining easy and stress free, it allows me to think creatively while saving time and money, something that is essential in these hard times. So gather your friends and party in the pantry...