I am in the process of redoing my kitchen.  And, part of that redo includes add some additional cupboards and eliminating others.

One part of the remodel involves a new pantry.  This, of course, means moving the old pantry.  And, with the old pantry comes checking for expiration dates on old cans.  But, more to the point, what should I stock in my pantry?

There are, of course, the basic staples such as toilet paper and Kleenex as I buy these in large quantities.  But what about cream of mushroom soup?  Or evaporated milk?  While these are things that I use from time to time, they are not things that I consider to be “staples”.

Staples should consist of the things that I use regularly in my house hold.  Sugar, flour, salt, butter, etc.    But, unless I am an Italian, any recipe needing tomato paste or stewed tomato s is going involve an assortment of other  ingredients.  And all of these ingredients will  need to be purchased including the tomato paste and stewed tomato s.

So, I will need to make a trip to Meijer (regional grocery chain) to purchase what I need so why have specialty items in the pantry?

From now on, the pantry will only carry items that are purchased in bulk,  are non-Meijer specialties, or are staples.