I spent fifty bucks on groceries on Saturday before I "reported for duty" at this little farm. Some salad stuff, chicken breasts, some cheese and whole wheat tortillas, some granola and milk, a couple of bananas, an avocado and a nice bottle of Malbec from Argentina. Things like that. I tried to steer clear of junk food but I did pick up some microwave popcorn. My sister gave me a dozen fresh from the farm eggs that she gets from a neighbor.
So, five days later the chicken and all the vegetables are gone except half a large onion and half an avocado. I'd been having the granola and banana for breakfast but today I made myself scrambled eggs and rolled them in a tortilla with a little cheese and avocado. It was delicious. But I didn't know what to do for my evening repast.
I mentioned this to of my daughters and she told me I should make a "pantry meal" using only foods that are already in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer. She said it's kind of like Pantry Week where you just raid your cupboards and use what you have for the whole week. How smart is that? I guess it's a popular concept so I don't know where the heck I've been!
We buy our own foods when we housesit although the homeowners always encourage us to use what's here, as well. Since this isn't my house I had no idea what was in the pantry. I figured it was worth a look. I found lots of stuff including several varieties of beans, some diced tomatoes, and canned chili peppers.
Since I had some onion I chopped it coarsely and sauteed it in a little olive oil.
Then I added:
1 can black beans (drained & rinsed)
1 can garbanzo beans (drained & rinsed)
1 can of red beans (with chili peppers, onion, cumin & garlic)
1 can diced tomatoes (Italian style) (That's all there was)
1 can mild green chili peppers.
Oh, and I added some chopped garlic with the onions. Seasoned the mixture with lots of chili powder and pepper and let it simmer for about half an hour.
Meanwhile, I cut two of the whole wheat tortillas in wedges, brushed them with olive oil and sprinkled them with sea salt. Baked at 350 degrees for about fifteen minutes, turning once.
I sprinkled my veggie chili with some of the shredded cheese and it was really, really delicious. It was thick and hearty and full of flavor. The crispy tortillas were a nice complement.
I've got enough for three or four more bowls of chili plus the tortilla chips. I'll bet it'll be even better tomorrow after those flavors have a chance to get all cozy. Mmmm, good.
11 comments:
Great pantry meal! I try to cook from my pantry and freezer really heavily at the beginning of the year. Sort of a clearing and cleaning out.
That's such a good idea, Pam...I'm going to do it a lot more when I get back home.
I should have been doing this years ago! What an excellent idea. I think we could subsist for a year off of what is in our pantry and yet, at least once a week we're out buying more food. I know there are things in the pantry I intended to actually cook at some point and they're still sitting their. Thanksgiving stuff alone I didn't use last November would probably make an incredible meal.
My goal - this weekend: one pantry meal.
Nicely written, too. ;)
Thanks!
I did try to comment here yesterday but something went wrong. Your chili looks fabulous!
Well, Erica, that is so cool that you've decided to do a pantry meal...it's kinda fun, actually. And thanks for stopping!
Bag Lady - I wonder what happened. Maybe I was editing it or something. Sometimes after I've published a post I see a typo or some other boo-boo and go in to fix it, keeping my fingers crossed that nobody has noticed - heh, heh.
I wasn't able to leave a comment on the previous post either. It seems better now. I love the idea of pantry week although I sometimes apply the idea to the freezer in the fridge. If I can't get another thing in, it's time to become creative and cook.
I would think the idea of Pantry Week includes the fridge and freezer...at least that's how I'm interpreting it, Ms Sparrow. Good ideas, for sure.
Yum.
You make me wish I cooked!
Okay, now I seriously want a big bowl of some hearty, beany chili for dinner tonight! Thanks for the inspiration, I'm off to get that started.
Bookwitch - Yum is right. I actually froze a serving, too.
KK...this isn't cooking...it's throwing stuff together out of cans!
Hannah - Compared to the delicious food you're always making, this is kid stuff!
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