By Karen Burns-Booth of Lavender and Lovage
I am known for my large store cupboard, larder, pantry and multiple freezers.
Whilst many people are embracing a minimalist lifestyle, and are madly de-cluttering their homes, as is the new trend, I am firmly resisting such a measure.
It’s just that I live in a rural location with the nearest shops and post office being several miles away; and, those are small local news agents shops, not large supermarkets.
I am very lucky that the nearest farm shop (which is excellent) is only two miles away, but again, two miles away when there’s a howling gale or two foot of snow is two miles too far.
When you live in a rural location, it’s so important to have back-up stores – something that people who live in towns tend to forget.
So, my back up stores are pretty much what most people’s basic store cupboard might be, but with a little extra!
I thought it might be handy to list what I find invaluable to have in my pantry, it’s not a definitive list by any means, and I am sure I will forget lots of things, but nevertheless, it’s my basic back-up of stores needed for living in the country.
The rural larder and pantry
- Tinned chopped tomatoes
- Tinned kidney beans
- Tinned sweetcorn
- Tinned tuna
- Tinned salmon
- Corned Beef
- Tinned chopped ham and pork
- Tinned soups
- Tinned steak
- Baked beans
- Mixed beans, such as cannellini beans, black beans etc
- Tinned lentils
- Tinned fruit
- Custard powder
- Assorted jams (Usually home-made)
- Assorted chutney and pickles/relishes (Usually home-made)
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Soy sauce
- Brown sauce
- Tomato sauce
- Assorted stock cubes
- Packet soups
- Microwave packet rice
- Tea and coffee
- Cocoa
- Porridge oats
- Dried lentils & assorted pulses
- Rice
- Tomato puree
- Sugar – white, light brown & dark brown
- Flour – plain white, self-raising white, plain wholemeal
- Bread Flour – assorted types
- Yeast – dried quick action
- Pasta – assorted packets
- Cooking oil (Olive oil and rapeseed oil)
- Vinegar (malt and wine vinegar)
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Marmite
- Golden syrup & black treacle
- Dried mixed fruit
- Nuts, seeds and grains
- Condensed milk & evaporated milk
- Mustard powder
- Mayonnaise
- Salad Cream
- Salt & pepper
- Dried milk powder
- Assorted Dried Herbs & Spices (Such as: Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Bay, Cumin, Coriander, Ginger, Chilli, Turmeric, Garam Masala, Mixed Spice are essential)
- Curry Powders
- Fresh garlic
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Biscuits
- Crisps
The Rural fridge and freezer
- Whole chicken & chicken portions
- Fish
- Fish fingers
- Minced beef
- Frozen vegetables
- Bread
- Sausages
- Bacon
- Home-made pies and casseroles etc
- Chops (Lamb and Pork)
- Oven Chips
- Milk
- Eggs – my own free-range eggs (I have hens)
- Butter
- Cheddar cheese – Mature, great for cooking
- Parmesan cheese or similar hard Italian cheese
- Stork margarine or other cooking fat
- Trex – white vegetable fat
- Salad
- Tomatoes
- Cooked vacuum packed beetroot
- Cucumber
As I mentioned before, the list is by no means definitive, but with a back-up store like that, you can cook and bake all manner of tasty family meals such as: cakes, biscuits, pies, tarts, casseroles, Spag Bol, curries, breakfasts, on toast supper dishes, Toad-in-the Hole, a Sunday roast, cottage pie, steamed puddings, cold desserts, soups, stew and dumplings, scones, pancakes, sandwiches and toasties, fish cakes, salads, flans and pasta bakes…..the list is endless.