With the lock down being extended and we being in one of the hot spot areas, it is not possible to go out even during the time we are allowed to go and get essentials.
More than being not able to go out, it is the mind set that makes us feel safer if we stay at home.
Wasting even a morsel of food or even 50 grams of any ingredient is considered a huge loss.Every bit of essentials we have must be used with utmost care and make to stretch for a longer period.
So with tips from mom who follows certain methods to make pantry essentials last longer, I too have started following them.
These tips will not only be helpful now but can be followed throughout to avoid food wastage.
So here are the tips to make Pantry supplies last longer
- Buy rice in bulk and store in a clean , dry bin.Mom usually puts in a small bundle made of a cotton cloth which has some neem leaves. If neem leaves are not available, red chilies can be used. This prevents the rice from attracting ants and other small insects.
- The same can be done for other ingredients like pulses, dals etc.
- Dry roast white rava, wheat rava. Spread on a plate to cool and then store in a container. This way the rava will stay fresh longer and will not have the stale smell / taste even when stored for a long time.
- Sesame seeds can also be dry roasted, cooled and stored.
- Rice flour too can be slightly roasted, cooled and stored.
- If there is space in the fridge store [filter] coffee powder in it. Keeps the coffee powder fresh and retains the aroma.
- If you are running low on coffee powder, try this easy Sukku Kapi recipe [Dry ginger concoction] or this Sukku Malli Kapi [ Dry ginger-coriander seeds ‘coffee’]that not only tastes good but is also caffeine free and good for digestion as well!
- I soak whole legumes like peas,kidney beans, channa etc ,separately for 6 hours minimum, drain and transfer to zip lock bags. I store them in the freezer so that when I need to make any gravy / curry I can just pull out a pack and defrost it!
- You can also cook the soaked legumes before freezing. I store after soaking as I feel it tastes better when stored after just soaking.
- Coconut prices are sky rocketing! So I grate coconuts and store in small containers and use as needed.
- If you forgot to freeze grated coconut and the fresh coconut becomes Copra / Kopra, use it to prepare this delicious Kobbari pudi recipethat can be mixed with hot rice and had as the first dish of the lunch menu!
- Lemon juice is poured into ice cube trays and frozen. The frozen cubes are then transferred and stored in zip lock bags.You can also add a couple of mint leaves into the tray and then add lemon juice and freeze.
- Onion and tomato can be made into tomato – onion paste and used in curries and gravies. This paste can be frozen / refrigerated.
- If you have a big bunch of curry leaves. dry curry leaves in the microwave and store in containers. Once added to the dish while cooking, the dried curry leaves will be as fresh as new.
- As soon as you but green chillies, wash and pat dry. Remove the small stalk[ top part] of the chili , transfer to a container and store in the fridge.
- Use the ‘First in- First out’ rule when using stuffs stored in the fridge / freezer. Arrange the new food stuff at the back so that we will pull it out last and use up the earlier frozen / stored food kept in the front line.
How to use up / re-purpose left over fruits and vegetables / leftover dishes.
- Overripe bananas can be used in baking or Mangalore buns recipe. This sweet poori tastes delicious and the kids will love it!
- Bits and pieces of fruits can be added to custard and served chilled as colorful and tasty fruit custard.
- If you have one or two vegetables of each variety and cant really use it up , prepare this simple vegetable stock recipe and use it up when preparing soups.
- If there is left over coconut chutney / tomato onion chutney from the breakfast, use it up in the lunch preparations. They can be added to sambar / kootu / kuzhambu recipes.
- Left over paratha / chapathi can be turned into Noodles Chapathi or something similar to this paneer parotta.
- Make idli upma from the breakfast’s leftover idli.
- Use up leftover rice in preparing some flavored rice varieties or prepare these sundried rice crisps.
- Orange peels can be used in this tasty Orange peel Gojju recipe!
Here is the list of Indian masalas and spice powders that are best when prepared in small batches and stored
These spice mixes are used in preparing some of the basic dishes.
[riview id=1290 num=2000 orderby=title order=asc showtitle=always lightbox=0]These powders that can be mixed with rice and makes a tasty and nutricious dish. This is to be had drizzled with a little ghee / sesame oil over hot steamed rice.
[riview id=1291 num=2000 orderby=title order=asc showtitle=always lightbox=0]Here are the Recipes that you can refer to plan your meal.
Most of them use pantry staples and less of vegetables / vegetables that are easily available
[riview id=1292 num=2000 orderby=title order=asc showtitle=always lightbox=0]Though it is lock down time, and we are all stressed and worried about the current situation, the kids at home might want a little treat, right! So here is a collection of Simple / quick desserts that everyone will love!
[riview id=1293 num=2000 orderby=title order=asc showtitle=always lightbox=0]Here are some Alternate beverages / caffeine free drinks that you can have during the day instead of the regular tea / Coffee
[riview id=1294 num=2000 orderby=title order=asc showtitle=always lightbox=0]For more recipe ideas check out the dishes on my menu..
Do let me know if this post was helpful…