by Cherrine Banks

Created on: September 01, 2008   Last Updated: September 16, 2011

It is important to have an organized pantry. For instance, there should be cabinets for bowls, cups, dishes, glasses,and plates used for daily meals within easy reach and an area for special event items on the top shelves. Your pans and pots should be group by order (smallest into the largest to maintain space). Also, small items such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters may be kept in a kitchen pantry. While kitchen items, pans, pots, and shelves are needed to organize a pantry the most crucial supplies are the non-perishable foods. You can not ecxchange black pepper for a sweet recipe like apple pie.

As a guideline, the following is a quick list of standard food items we should keep in our kitchen pantry as we organize:

• A for Applesauce-More menus are suggesting that we substitute meals with it.
• B for Beans-Both canned and dried come in handy (black and kidney are ideal).
• C for Cereal-A bowl for breakfast is great with bananas, raisins, and strawberries.
• D for Dried fruit-Prunes tend to be the most popular.
• E for Extracts-Almond, lemon, orange, vanilla-I use them mostly for cakes.
• F for Flour-All purpose is my favorite for breads and cakes).
• G for Gelatin-Can be a good snack (cherry, lemon, and strawberry are favorites).
• H for Hominy Grits-Provides a fulfilling meal on cool mornings before school/work.
• I for Iodine salt.
• L for Lemon and Limes (fresh)-Great for juices, tea, or water.
• M for Milk-Boxed, evaporated, or powdered-You never know about power/electricity problems.
• N for Nuts-Almonds, peanut, pecans, or walnuts-a small amount can make a difference.
• O for Oils-Canola, olive, peanut are favorites depending on the recipe.
• P for Pasta-Great with chicken, meat, or alone with a touch of seasonings with olive oil. 
• R for Rice-Its cheap, quick to prepare, and keeps your full.
• S for Soup-Its best during the fall/winter but handy when too busy/tired to cook.
• T for Tuna-A favorite food since inexpensive and tasty with pasta, salads, or sandwiches).
• V for Vinegar-Great for salads.
• W for Water-Natural disasters/power outages happen so a ratio of 4:1-4 gallons per 1 person.
• Y for Yeast-Use for baking bread, cookies, or cakes.

Remember, you may want to increase or decrease this list but an organized kitchen pantry saves time and money so keep a detailed list and check off the items before grocery shopping. For the household items such as a coffee pot, the list will provide a guideline for when its best to replace an item once it becomes scratched or tarnished from everyday family use.

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