Rural Store Cupboard & Freezer Essentials

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.

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