Stocking Your Pantry (Phase: 3 The Minimalist Pantry)

If you have been following this three part series of articles on our blog, then you know that our primary goal is to help you stock your pantry with the most basic ingredients necessary to feed your family, hence the name the 'minimalist pantry'. The eventual goal would be for you to expand your pantry by including a few items at a time that you and your family enjoy so that you can prepare nutritious and delicious meals without breaking the bank. As I have shown and will continue to demonstrate, the most economical way to feed both yourself and your family is to prepare meals at home.

In phase one of the minimalist pantry we focused on the basic dry goods that need to be in every pantry. In phase two, we concentrated on which canned items compliment the basic dry goods purchased in phase one, thereby giving you and your family more options when preparing meals at home. In this third installment of the minimalist pantry, we will focus on rounding out the inventory of your pantry with the necessary items to broaden the number and types of recipes you can prepare.

Dry Goods (Total Cost $16.54)

Dry goods are those items that tend to be the building blocks of many recipes. As the term implies, these items are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration. That means they typically have expiration dates that last months or even possibly years which makes them good items to stock up on when they are on sale at your local supermarket.

Active Dry Yeast – A necessity in the pantry, active dry yeast has been used by generations of both homemakers and professional bakers. If you are going to make any of your own breads or bread products you need to have some in your pantry. For the minimalist pantry, I recommend purchasing the 4oz jar as opposed the 0.25oz (1/4oz) packets. The packets are more convenient as they come pre-measured, and If you do not do much baking, the packets may be the right choice for you. However, purchasing the jar is almost 50% cheaper ounce per ounce. The downside to the jar is that once it is open it has to be refrigerated, but it has a refrigerated life of about 12 months. If you buy the jar like I do and your recipe calls for 'one packet of yeast', no problem as 2 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast is equal to ¼oz packet.(Red Star 0.25oz packets $1.55 or $2.06 per ounce, Red Star 4oz Jar $4.62 or $1.15 per ounce)

Baking Soda – You may also see it called bread soda or bicarbonate of soda in recipes that originate outside the United States. Like baking powder, it is used in non-yeast bread and bread products such as cakes, pancakes and batters. It can be substituted for baking powder, but an additional acid of some variety must be added to the recipe. Like baking powder it is shelf stable and cheap and there is no reason not to have it in the pantry as you will need it to make many baked goods. (Great Value Baking Soda 16oz container $0.54)

Cornstarch – An optional item in phase 1, cornstarch is primarily used as a thickening agent in liquid preparations such as soups, stews, sauces, and gravies. It is also used as a light coating for meats and chicken that are pan fried and or added to stews or American Chinese dishes. When combined with all-purpose flour, it makes a good homemade cake or pastry flour. (See article 'All About Flour') It is one of those items that we consider a necessity in the minimalist kitchen for both it's versatility and price. (Argo Cornstarch 16oz container $1.42)

Powdered Bouillon – Some people do not care for them, but they are another minimalist pantry staple. Powdered bouillons can be used to give a soup, sauce, stew or pot of beans added flavor. Shelf stable, it is easy and quick to use to whip up some stock or broth If you do not have any canned broth in your pantry. One 35oz container contains 182 (1 teaspoon) servings that make one cup (8oz of broth) for a combined total of 11.3 gallons of broth or stock for less than $5.00 (about $0.44 per gallon). That alone should be a reason to keep them in your pantry. Powdered bouillons can be high in sodium (salt) so you need to take that into consideration when adding it to your recipes or if you have special dietary needs. You can find out more information on powdered bouillons in my article 'Restaurants Use Them, So Should You?' We recommend you buy one of each. (Knorr Chicken or Beef Bouillon 35.3oz container $4.98 at Walmart, Total cost for 2 $9.96)

Beverages (Total Cost $4.88)

Another food item that really wreaks havoc on your food budget is carbonated beverages. Even when they are purchased on sale they are quite expensive compared to other beverage options. Don't get me wrong I used to love to drink diet soda. In fact, I used to drink about 6 to 8 12oz cans a day. I considered them my one 'treat' until I sat down and figured out how much they actually cost when compared to other options. It costs $0.24 to make a gallon of unsweetened tea, if you add ¾ cup of sugar it costs and additional $0.06 (0.01 per ounce of sugar) for a total of $0.30 for a gallon of sweet tea. Another alternative to soft drinks are powdered drink mixes (Kool-Aid). It costs $0.46 to make a gallon of Kool-Aid (that includes the $0.06 for the ¾ cup of sugar). If you can buy your Kool-Aid on sale you can reduce the cost to $0.26 per gallon.

Just for perspective a 12-pack (144 total ounces) of 'Sam's Cola' (Walmart brand) costs $2.68, you can make a gallon of tea (128 ounces) for $0.30, and a gallon of Kool-Aid for $0.46. Therefore, a gallon of tea is 89% cheaper than a 12-pack of soft drinks and a gallon of Kool-Aid is 83% cheaper. Another way to look at it is you could make 9 gallons of tea or 6 gallons of Kool-Aid for the price of a 12-pack of store brand soft drinks.

Just so you know I am not picking on soft drinks alone, I have a family member that continues to buy the gallon container of Red Diamond tea for $2.48. Personally, I think this is even more wasteful because they already like iced tea, but refuse to make their own. Heck, I can make 8 gallons of tea at home for each gallon she purchases at the supermarket.

Tea Bags – Ice Tea is a staple here in the southern United States and it was my go to replacement for carbonated beverages and we make it one gallon at a time. You want to buy the 'Family' size tea bags, it is far easier to use them to make a gallon of tea (takes 4) then it is to buy the small tea bags. I have tried them all and the Great Value tastes just the same as the Lipton, Luzianne, Red Diamond and other brands for less money. My family used to swear by Lipton brand, but no one could tell the difference when I switched to the store brand. When it comes to tea, it is the brewing process that makes the biggest difference, not the brand. (Great Value Iced Tea Bags 48 count $2.88)

Kool-Aid – The powdered flavored drink that remains as popular among kids today as it did in the 1960's when I grew up sells for $0.20 per packet (takes 2 packets to make a gallon). If you can buy the store brand you can generally get it for even cheaper, but these are becoming harder to find. Several times a year, the Kool-Aid brand goes on sale for 10 for $1.00 (50% off) and we stock up on them. These are a great alternative to carbonated beverages as they come in variety of flavors and are really inexpensive, and they are caffeine free. Buy 10 to start (it's only $2.00), if you can get them on sell buy as many as you want, the packets are shelf stable and never seem to go bad. I also use them to make my on own homemade Gatorade, check out my article on how you can do the same 'Make Your own Sports Drink'. (Kool-Aid 0.22oz packets $0.20ea at Walmart, Total cost for 10 packets $2.00)

Sauces And Flavorings (Total Cost $7.30)

Sauces and flavorings help to add body and depth to your recipes. You can do without them, but your food and baked items will not be as enjoyable. If you like Asian inspired foods, you definitely need to have some soy sauce in your pantry. However, we recommend that you have at least one bottle of each of the following in your pantry inventory.

Lemon Juice – I use it primarily for marinades and as a citric acid dip for vegetables and fruits that I want to keep from changing color when preparing to can them. (Great Value Lemon Juice 32oz bottle $2.48)

Soy Sauce – If you like Asian cuisine of any type, then you will need this in your pantry inventory. Used in just about every Asian inspired and Caribbean dish I make, we go through a lot at our house. It is also an important component in my teriyaki jerky. Shelf stable, it does not have to be refrigerated after opening. (Great Value Soy Sauce 15oz bottle $1.88)

Worcestershire Sauce – Another of those condiments that you just need to have. I use it to add depth to sauces, stocks, stews and soups. I actually make my own and will post that recipe on the blog one day in the near future. (Great Value Worcestershire Sauce 10oz bottle $1.00)

Vanilla Extract – If you are going to make cookies, cakes or other sweets you are going to need to purchase some vanilla extract. I buy the Mexican 'Molina' brand because it is 75% cheaper than the cheapest competitor and the quality is good. (Molina Vanilla Extract 8.4oz bottle $1.94 at Walmart)

Dressings (Total Cost $4.42)

You cannot make a sandwich or grill a hamburger or hot dog without some form of dressing. In this instance I am referring to the basic sandwich dressings mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. If you have one bottle of each of these you could actually make your own salad dressings which is another category altogether. You may notice that barbecue sauce has not been included in the minimalist pantry list. As barbecue sauce is easily made from ketchup and mustard as well as the spices included in phase 1 of the minimalist pantry I have not included it here.Rather I have listed it in the optional category.

Ketchup – Tomato ketchup Is the All-American condiment. They are so many uses for ketchup that to list them all would be pointless. Just know you should have some. Save your money and buy the store brand unless you can find it on sale, they all taste the same. (Great Value Ketchup 24oz bottle $1.08)

Mayonnaise – You just cannot make a sandwich with mayonnaise (or 'Miracle Whip' type dressing), well I guess you could, but what would be the point. Mayonnaise is probably the most commonly used condiment or dressing in the American household. Besides sandwiches you need it for chicken, tuna or potato salad. Mix it with some milk and herbs and spices and you can make your own Ranch dressing. The bottom line is you need it in your pantry. Save your money and buy the store brand unless you can find it on sale, they all taste the same. (Great Value Mayonnaise 15oz bottle $2.36)

Mustard – All natural yellow mustard, who can eat a hot dog without it. In addition to hot dogs and sandwiches, yellow mustard is used to make a number of individual sauces including vinaigrettes for salads, marinades and of course barbecue sauce. Save your money and buy the store brand unless you can find it on sale, they all taste the same. (Great Value Yellow Mustard 14oz bottle $0.98)

Optional Items (Total Cost $5.68)

Ramen Noodles – A college friend of mine once called these “broke people food.” When I was in college I definitely ate my share of these cheap noodles (Maruchan brand for a $0.20 per package) that you find at your local supermarket. They are definitely cheap, but weak of flavor, and their nutritional value is minimal. If you are tempted to buy ramen noodles then I suggest visit your local Korean, Japanese, or Chinese market and check out the choices there, at least you will find a multitude of different brands of ramen noodles that have a variety of flavors and heat levels. The only time I use these anymore (the Maruchan brand) is when I want the noodles to add to my own soup base. That is to say I open the package and throw out everything except the noodles. (Maruchan Ramen Noodles 3oz package $0.20ea, or 12-pack for $2.00 at Walmart)

Hot Sauce – I have listed this as an option for the minimalist pantry, but we always have at least one bottle in the pantry. Made from a combination of red peppers and vinegar most of them taste pretty similar. Generally, I prefer Louisiana Hot Sauce, but for the price you cannot beat Valentina Mexican Hot Sauce. If you have the spare money, buy one and keep it in your pantry. (Valentina Mexican Hot Sauce 34oz bottle $2.00 at Walmart)

Barbecue Sauce – This is an optional dressing to have in your pantry. We keep several bottles in our pantry, but only purchase it when it is on sale for $0.88 for a 12oz bottle. I suggest you buy original or plain style BBQ sauce, then you can add your own additional flavors from items in your pantry such as honey, chipotle peppers, liquid smoke, apple sauce etc. Having a plain sauce is like having a blank canvas to experiment with. (Kraft Original BBQ Sauce 17.5oz bottle $1.68)

Conclusion

For about $40.00 (Total cost $38.82 with the optional items) you can complete phase 3 of the minimalist pantry ($100.00 for all three phases) and begin to create a pantry that will allow you to provide nutritious and delicious meals for you and your family. As I mentioned earlier in the article, this is a minimalist pantry, it is just a start. Many of the dry good items you will only need to buy once or twice month, as for the herbs and spices they should last one or two months. Each month, or each time you get paid restock your minimums, and maybe add one or two additional items. These are my personal recommendations, if you have additional money and wish to purchase a few additional spices or dry goods then go for it. The purpose of this article to to show you the bare minimums you need to get started.

The plan for this subject was to break it down into three articles (Phase 1, 2, and 3) each with my recommendations for the most basic items needed to stock your pantry to maximize your food dollars. Each phase builds on the proceeding one allowing you to slowly build up your pantry inventory over time. My goal was to make stocking your pantry as useful and as painless as possible. You can complete one phase each per pay period, or if you have the spare cash spend $100.00 and do it all at one time. Remember, use these articles or a guideline, adjust the particular items in your pantry to fit your family's individual needs or dietary requirements.

If you are looking to find additional ways to stretch your food dollars, be sure and check out some of my other articles on the subject on our blog. And as always, if you have enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and don't forget to send us a friend request on Facebook and Google+ so that you will not miss out on any of our new articles.

Related Articles On Our Blog:

The Minimalist Pantry (Phase 1)

The Minimalist Pantry (Phase 2)

Additional Articles For Saving Money On Our Blog:

Buying More With Less: Strategies To Stretch Your Food Dollar

Spices: Save Up To 80% By Shopping At Your Local Ethnic Supermarket

Stocking Your Pantry (Phase 2: The Minimalist Pantry)

If you have been following any of our blog posts here, you know that our primary goal is to teach how to stretch their food dollars so that they can provide nutritious and delicious meals without breaking the bank. As I have shown and will continue to demonstrate, the most economical way to feed both yourself and your family is to prepare meals at home. Preparing meals at home and or making them from scratch requires both time and an assortment of ingredients. Stocking your pantry with all the products necessary to feed your family can be quite costly if you tried to purchase all the ingredients you would need at one time. For anyone living paycheck to paycheck (I have been there) keeping a well stocked pantry may seem like a daunting task, but I assure you it is not.

The goal of this article is to list some of the items in my pantry that I use most often to make meals for myself and my family that are listed on this blog. In this article (part 2 of 3) we will discuss my minimalist pantry phase 2 stocking your pantry with canned goods and expanding on phase 1 with some additional dry goods.

Canned Goods (Total Cost $22.26)

Canned goods should be an important part of your pantry inventory. Items such as diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans etc., are items we keep in stock in our pantry. A pantry kept stocked with your families favorite canned goods increases the number of quick, easy and nutritious meals in your recipe arsenal. Canned goods can make cooking meals at home a little easier, and modern canning technology helps to lock in the flavor and nutrition of canned vegetables. Like dry goods, canned items are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration and generally have a shelf like for 12 months.

Diced Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes come in all sizes, but if you can only buy one, then get the petite diced and stay away from the flavored types such as 'Italian' or 'Southwest' as pre-seasoned tomatoes are not as versatile. As you expand your pantry, you can try the pre-seasoned varieties. Buy 3 to get started. (Great Value Diced Tomatoes 14.5oz $0.72, Total Cost for 3 cans $2.16)

Tomato Sauce – I use it to make spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, chili, soups, enchilada sauce, curries and so much more. For the minimalist pantry I recommend the smaller 8oz cans again we are going for cost and versatility. My local 'Dollar Tree' has the 32oz can for a dollar (equivalent to $0.25 per can) which I have several in my pantry. However, as mentioned earlier, the 8oz cans are more flexible. Buy 6 to get started. (Great Value Tomato Sauce 8oz $0.33, Total Cost for 6 cans $1.98)

Whole Kernel Corn, Sweet Green Peas, Carrots, Green Beans – Primarily served as a side dishes, they can be added to soups, stews, fried rice, and cornbread just to name a few. I recommend the 14.5oz cans, my local Walmart sells them in the 8oz can as well, however, it is only $0.14 cheaper and there is 6.5oz less of the vegetable. You get almost twice the amount of the 8oz can for only $0.14, that's a no brainier for me. There are a few other options such as 'Diced new Potatoes' and 'Mixed-Vegetables', however the five I mentioned here are my go to for the minimalist pantry. Buy 3 of each to get started. (Great Value Assorted Vegetables 15oz $0.68, Total Cost for 12 cans $8.16)

Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce – Normally I tell you to stay away from pre-made sauces and seasoning mixes as it is usually cheaper to make your own; canned spaghetti is the one exception. It is actually cheaper to buy the canned spaghetti sauce than it is to make it from scratch and they come in a variety of flavors 'Traditional', 'Four Cheese', 'Meat', 'Italian Sausage' to name a few. No need to buy additional pizza sauce as these make good pizza sauces as well. Buy 3 to get started. (Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce 26oz $1.00, Total Cost for 3 cans $3.00)

Canned Tuna – Another good source of protein that is shelf stable, tuna can be used in salad's, casseroles, or eaten plain out of the can. I recommend you purchase tuna packed in water and not oil as it is a healthier option. The 5oz containers make them portable and you can carry one if your backpack or keep in your work locker as an emergency lunch. (Great Value Canned Tuna 5oz 4-pack $2.96)

Canned Chicken – Another good source of protein that is shelf stable, like tuna, chicken can be used in salad's, casseroles, or eaten plain out of the can. I recommend you purchase tuna packed in water and not oil as it is a healthier option. The 5oz containers make them portable and you can carry one if your backpack or leave in your work locker or desk as an emergency lunch. (Butterfield Farms Canned Chicken 6oz $1.00, at Dollar Tree, Garden Valley Canned Chicken 5oz $1.48 at Walmart, Total Cost for 4 cans $4.00)

When it comes to canned goods, we purchase the least expensive regardless of brand and this is my recommendation for the minimalist pantry. Store brands are usually 10 to 20% cheaper, but watch for sales or price matching which will often allow you to buy name brands at substantial savings. As always keep in mind, just because I recommend a certain vegetable, you do not have to purchase it. Buy what you and your family like. Having canned goods in your pantry that no one will eat costs you money and takes up valuable pantry space.

Dry Goods (Total Cost $6.09)

If you read my article on phase 1, then you know dry goods are non-canned shelf stable items that tend to be the building blocks of many recipes. As the term implies, these items are shelf stable when unopened and do not require refrigeration.

Peanut Butter – Crunchy or Smooth, body builders have known for years that peanut butter is a good source of protein. It can be used as a dip for veggies, used to make creamy sauces for many Asian dishes, spread on toast like butter and sprinkled with sugar, bake delicious cookies or simply make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You get an extra 8oz if you buy the 40oz jar as opposed to two 16oz jars for only a $0.01 more, however the 16oz container is more portable. For the minimalist pantry we recommend you buy one jar of the 40oz peanut butter as it does not require refrigeration even after opening. (Great Value Peanut Butter 16oz $2.18, 40oz $4.37)

Jelly – Concord grape jelly is the most popular flavor available, and while it does require refrigeration after opening, an unopened jar should be included in your pantry's inventory. Not only is jelly a necessary breakfast condiment, you cannot have a PB&J without the jelly. I recommend the 32oz jar as it is only $0.04 more than the 18oz jar, 16 more ounces for four pennies...go figure. Anyway, purchase whatever flavor your family likes best. Jams, preserves, and marmalades cost more so we recommened for the minimalist pantry that you stick with jelly (no pun intended). Buy one to get started. (Great Value Concord Grape or Apple 32oz $1.72)

The items listed under the optional category in the above graphic are just that. They are not included in the $30.00 phase 2 budget, but if you have the additional money to purchase these items they are quite useful to have in your pantry.

Conclusion (Total Cost Minimalist Pantry Phase 2 $28.35)

For about $30.00 you can complete phase 2 of the minimalist pantry for a total investment so far of $60.00 towards creating a pantry that will allow you to provide nutritious and delicious meals for you and your family. As I mentioned earlier in the article, this is a minimalist pantry, it is just a start. Unlike dry goods, canned items tend to get used more often and you may need to replace them each time you get paid. Of course this depends on how much you cook from your pantry. You may have to buy canned items more often but if you are cooking from your pantry, the money you save by doing so as opposed to eating out will allow you to stretch your precious food dollars. Each month, or each time you get paid restock your minimums as necessary, and maybe add one or two additional items.

This article is part 2 of a 3 part series on our recommendations for stocking a minimalist pantry to maximize your food dollar. Fast food restaurants are convenient but they destroy your food budget. For almost the cost of a meal for 4 or 5 people at a fast food restaurant, you could begin to stock your pantry with the items you need to cook homemade meals from scratch.

You will note that this article does not cover refrigerated items. Refrigerated items are not part of your pantry (jelly being the exception). In our next article I will focus on the final items necessary to complete your starter pantry.

If you are looking to find additional ways to stretch your food dollars, be sure and check out some of my other articles on the subject on our blog. And as always, if you have enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and don't forget to send us a friend request on Facebook and Google+ so that you will not miss out on any of our new articles.

Related Articles On our Blog:

Stocking Your Pantry (Phase 1: The Minimalist Pantry)

Stocking Your Pantry (Phase 3: The Minimalist Pantry)


Additional Money Saving Articles On our Blog:

Buying More With Less: Strategies To Stretch Your Food Dollar.

Spices: Save Up To80% By Shopping At Your Local Ethnic Supermarket.

Cheap Ground BeefCan Be Just as Healthy as Lean.

Stocking Your Pantry (Phase 1: The Minimalist Pantry)

If you have been following any of our blog posts here, you know that our primary goal is to teach you how to stretch your food dollars so that you can prepare nutritious and delicious meals without breaking the bank. As I have shown and will continue to demonstrate, the most economical way to feed both yourself and your family is to prepare meals at home. Preparing meals at home and or making them from scratch requires both time and an assortment of ingredients. Stocking your pantry with all the products necessary to feed your family can be quite costly if you tried to purchase all the ingredients you would need at one time. For anyone living paycheck to paycheck (I have been there) keeping a well stocked pantry may seem like a daunting task, but I assure you it is not.

The goal of this article is to list some of the items in my pantry that I use most often to make meals for myself and my family that are listed on this blog. I like to call this my minimalist pantry or phase 1 because these are the most basic and versatile items you will need to provide proper nutrition for you and your family. You will note that this article does not cover refrigerated items as refrigerated items are not part of your pantry. I

Dry Goods (Total Cost $9.86)

Dry goods are those items that tend to be the building blocks of many recipes. As the term implies, these items are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration. That means they typically have expiration dates that last months or even possibly years which makes them good items to stock up on when they are on sale at your local supermarket.

Flour – Buy all-purpose (AP) flour, it is as the name implies the work horse of all flours. It can be used as a thickener for soups and casseroles, in addition, it works well for baking a wide variety of breads, cakes and cookies. In the minimalist pantry, this is the only flour you need. If a recipe calls for self rising flour, you can make your own by adding 1 ¼ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to one cup of all-purpose flour. (Great Value AP flour 5lbs $1.72)

Corn Meal – More of a staple here in the south, however if you want to make corn bread or corn muffins it is a necessity. Corn meal can also be used to add texture to pizza crusts and as a dusting agent on baking sheets to keep fresh hearth breads from sticking to the pan. (Great Value corn meal 5lbs $2.36)

Baking Powder – If you want your cakes and certain breads (especially corn bread) to rise you will need this. Buy the store brand, it is generally the least expensive, and they are all the same. You will also need this if you have a recipe that calls for self-rising flour. (Great Value baking powder 8.2oz $1.28)

Sugar – There are a wide variety of sugars, but the only one you need is granulated sugar (you know the white stuff). You can substitute equal amounts of white sugar for brown in all recipes. When baking cookies with white sugar, they may be more crispy, and the flavor profile is sightly different than brown sugar, as brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added in for flavor. (Great Value granulated sugar 4lbs $1.48)

Iodized Salt – Forget kosher, sea salt, and other fancy salts. When money constraints only allow one, iodized salt (table salt) is the only one you need. Kosher and sea salt, are larger grained, therefore, if a recipe calls for kosher salt substitute about ½ as much iodized salt, and about ¾ as much for sea salt. Remember, you can always add more salt during your final tasting before serving, but you cannot remove it if you add to much. When using substitutions, error on the side of caution. (Great Value iodized salt 26oz $0.54)

Old Fashioned Oats – Good old oatmeal. It is so cheap it should be in everyone's pantry. If money gets tight you may get tired of eating it, but if you have sugar, salt and milk you can have a filing breakfast anytime. It also makes great cookies. (Great Value Old Fashioned Oats 42oz $2.48)

Grains & Pasta (Total Cost $5.47)

When meat is in limited supply, grains and pastas help to stretch your food dollar significantly. These low cost carbohydrates when combined with a minimal amount of meat (protein) can provide a satisfying meal for you and your family. In some countries, grains and pastas contribute to the majority of the nations food consumption.

Long Grain Rice – Rice is a staple in our house and we generally keep at least 10lbs on hand at all times. You do not need that much when you are first starting your pantry, but whenever you can get it on sale buy what you can afford. Rice is one of the most versatile staples you will find in your pantry. You can eat it for breakfast, as a side dish, as a one dish meal (Homemade Rice-A-Roni or Homemade Hamburger Helper), fried rice, or even as a dessert. There are many different variates of rice, but long grain is the only one you need. (Great Value Long Grain Rice 5lbs $2.50)

Elbow Macaroni – Dried pasta's are cheap, but if you can only buy one, elbow macaroni is the most versatile. You can use it in cold pasta salads, make homemade hamburger helper and macaroni and cheese. Bake it in a casserole or serve it with spaghetti sauce and chili. If you have children or grandchildren around the house, do not underestimate the lowly elbow macaroni. (Great Value Elbow Macaroni 2lbs $1.97)

Thin Spaghetti – If there is enough room in your budget, thin spaghetti is another extremely versatile dried pasta. Most often served with spaghetti sauce, it can be used in place of a number of dried pasta's such as vermicelli, angel hair, and even linguine. (Great Value Thin Spaghetti 1lbs $1.00)

Spices and Herbs (Total Cost $6.64, $4.40 without chili powder)

Spices help turn your food from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Over the centuries, empires have been created and destroyed due to the spice trade. Previously in this article I listed salt and sugar in the dry good section, but they are also considered spices. Although the old proverb states "variety is the spice of life", we are going to keep our variety of spices to a minimum. Shop smart and save. Many of these can be found in your local dollar store for, you guessed it $1.00, sometimes however they are cheaper at your local supermarket.

Black Pepper – Pepper and salt are the two most commonly used spices in just about every cuisine in the world. While whole pepper corns are more versatile if you have a pepper mill, for the minimalist pantry you should buy already ground black pepper. (5^th Season Black Pepper 1.5oz $0.88)

Red Pepper Flakes – This one is almost optional, but if you like a little heat or kick with your meals, then you will need to have some on hand. (5^th Season Red Pepper Flakes 1.75oz $0.88)

Onion and Garlic Powder – I list these because I use them in almost all of my recipes to give depth to soups, stews and marinades. (5^th Season Onion and Garlic Powder 3.25oz $0.88)

Chili Powder – This is a must have for me, as I prepare a lot of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. If you live in the south then chili powder is a defiantly part of the minimalist pantry. (Great Value Chili Powder 2.5oz $2.24)

Italian Seasoning Blend – I generally like to make my own, but that means you need 4 or 5 different herbs and spices. Because of the low cost, buy one to keep in your pantry to make spaghetti or home made pizza sauce in addition to flavoring soups and casseroles. (5^th Season Italian Seasoning 0.97oz $0.88)

Look closely at the labels (weight or amount of seasoning), sometimes paying $0.50 to a $1.00 more will get you twice the amount of seasoning. Over time you will begin to expand the number and amount of spices in your pantry generally one or two at a time. When you begin to do so explore shopping at your local ethnic supermarkets to stretch your food dollar by up to 80% (see link below).

Bean and Legumes (Total Cost $4.38)

The protein of the poor. That statement really sounds depressing, but dried beans have been a protein staple of the impoverished for thousands of years for a multiple of reasons. They are shelf stable, portable, easy to cook, relatively healthy, and best of all inexpensive. In fact, more than 100 years ago before America became a country beef eaters, beans were one of the primary foods that fueled the expansion of the America. Personally, I love beans and legumes and I do not think you have to many in your pantry.

Dried Pinto Beans – The most commonly eaten bean in the United States, it was in fact the bean that helped win the West. I like to keep at least 10lbs in pantry at all times, but for the minimalist pantry 2lbs will do. I use beans to double the volume of my chili, and there are few meals better than pinto beans and cornbread. If you can buy them in bulk at your local Hispanic market you will reap significant savings. (Great Value Dried Pinto Beans 1lb $0.82, 2lbs = $1.64)

Dried Red or Kidney Beans – A little more expensive than pinto beans, they are my second favorite. They can be used interchangeably with pinto beans in most recipes, however if you are going to make 'Red Beans and Rice' you need red beans. (Great Value Dried Pinto Beans 1lb $1.22)

Dried Black Eyed Peas – More of a southern pantry staple, my family enjoys these with corn bread in place of pinto beans. Can be served as a side dish or as a filler in soups. You could do without but for the price add them. (Great Value Dried Pinto Beans 1lb $1.52)

Oils and Vinegars (Total Cost $3.54)

Canola Oil – You need one good oil, at my Walmart Canola and Vegetable oil cost the same. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends using canola oil as opposed to vegetable oil as it has half the saturated fat of vegetable oil. Other oils might be better for you, but canola is the best choice for the minimalist pantry. (Great Value Canola Oil 48oz $2.32)

White Distilled Vinegar – It is the all-purpose vinegar. Used in marinades, salad dressings, sauces, and pickling vegetables as well as a cleaning agent. White vinegar can be used in place of apple cider, and sherry vinegars, and best of all, it is cheap. (Great Value Distilled Vinegar 32oz $1.22)

The items listed under the optional category in the above graphic are just that. They are not included in the $30.00 phase 1 budget, but if you have the additional money to purchase these items they are quite useful to have in your pantry.

Conclusion (Total Cost Minimalist Pantry $29.89, or $27.65 w/o chili powder)

For about $30.00 you can begin to create a pantry that will allow you to provide nutritious and delicious meals for you and your family. As I mentioned earlier in the article, this is a minimalist pantry, it is just a start. Many of the dry good items you will only need to buy once or twice month, as for the herbs and spices they should last one or two months. Each month, or each time you get paid restock your minimums, and maybe add one or two additional items. These are my personal recommendations, if you have additional money and wish to purchase a few additional spices or dry good that's fine. The purpose of this article to to show you the bare minimums you need to get started.

The plan for this subject is to break it down into three articles (Phase 1, 2, and 3) each with my recommendations for stocking your pantry to maximize your food dollar. Fast food restaurants are convenient but they destroy your food budget. For almost the cost of a meal for 4 or 5 people at a fast food restaurant, you could begin to stock your pantry with the items you need to cook homemade meals from scratch. In our next article (The Minimalist Pantry Phase 2), I will focus on some of the more versatile canned goods that you should keep in your pantry, as well as some additional items.

If you are looking to find additional ways to stretch your food dollars, be sure and check out some of my other articles on the subject on our blog. And as always, if you have enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and don't forget to send us on friend request on Facebook and Google+ so that you will not miss out on any of our new articles.

The Culinary You Pantry

We have a whole room 12'x14' dedicated as our pantry that has shelves on all four walls, The inventory in our pantry was built up over the last few years as we desired to become more self-sufficient after a family illness reduced our income by 35%. We attempt to keep 1 to 3 months of dry and canned goods in our pantry in case I was to lose my job or was hurt and was off work for a limited time. You can see just some of the scope of canning we do from the vegetable garden.

Related Articles On our Blog:

The Minimalist Pantry (Phase 2): Canned Goodness

The Minimalist Pantry (Phase3): Finishing Up


Additional Money Saving Articles On our Blog:

Buying More With Less: Strategies To Stretch Your Food Dollar.

Spices: Save Up To 80% By Shopping At Your Local Ethnic Supermarket.

Cheap Ground Beef Can Be Just as Healthy as Lean.