Happy Friday to you!  I am writing this post in advance as I’m not taking my laptop to my mini vacation in Toronto for the U2 concert.  I will fill you in on Monday with an update on how it went.

I was asked by a reader about posting some ideas on how to organize a pantry!  I thought it was a timely idea as I have been thinking about pantry design for the new house.

Now of course you will likely have more ideas, so let me know what you consider to be the most crucial tips that you cannot live without when it comes to organizing your pantry.

1.  Shelf Assignments

Plan pantry use by categorizing into prime and non-prime storage. If possible, prime storage at eye level should be for the most often-used items. Further categorize storage by item. For example, use one shelf for baking items, another for tomato canned goods and another for pasta and rice.

2.  See the Label. Watch Expiry

This is self explanatory, however keep a rotation of oldest to newest to ensure you are eating the oldest food first.  Do make a note if you remove the packaging by labeling the best before date for the product.

3.  Reduce Dead Space

Be sure these shelves don’t have too much “dead space”. Dead space is unused space. This space can be found even above what you are storing.  Adjust the shelf up or down a few inches to create the ability to stack the like cans. This will make a tremendous difference – and get all canned foods on one shelf rather than scattered throughout the pantry.

4.  See Through Containers

This is one of my favorites. Find canisters or other holders for noodles, flour, sugar, rice, popcorn, or other foods that come in flimsy plastic or paper bags. I used to store the bag of rice right in the open bag, which always lead to spills, not to mention the possibility of insect infestation! Now I use canisters, empty coffee cans, glass jars and other containers to hold these items.

5.  Use Lower Shelves

Whether you want to create a “kid friendly” shelf or just use it to store heavier items such as soda bottles or water bottles – this is a great way to maximize your use of space.

6.  Clean Regularly

This is common sense but often forgotten.  Be sure to wipe the shelves down regularly and keep the dirt and grime to a minimum.  The time you spend cleaning your pantry will help you find stuff you didn’t know you had and hopefully reduce costs on your grocery bill as you are more in tune with the products you have.

Well there you have it,  a fun post to hopefully help you keep the pantry presentable.  I will be sure to show off my pantry once it gets built!  Have an awesome Friday and a great weekend.  See ya on Monday.

Take care

zesty

Happy Friday!!

You’re bound to do some baking this holiday season.  So for that I give to you:  “Zesty’s Top 8 Essential Baking Ingredients”

Here is a list of necessities I put together after trying to bake the other night and realizing I had expired baking powder and no brown sugar.  Oh dear I said… off to the store I go – or better yet lets lie down on the couch and have some chips!

1. Flour

Instead of relying on just one kind of flour, lately I have been buying two small bags, both all purpose flour and cake & pastry flour.  Pastry flour has a finer texture and a high starch content.

I never buy the large bags of flour even when they are on sale as I find we don’t use them enough around here and after the bag has been unsealed, flour only keeps for six to eight months.

2. Sugar

For me, I like to have all the necessary ammo for sugars… White, brown and icing sugar should be on hand at all times.  Pretty much every baked good calls for good old sugar of some sort.

3. Spices

There’s a reason why holiday baking has a distinct aroma and that’s because of holiday spices. I find that ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are essential spices for this time of year. be sure your spices are fresh before you start baking… nothing worse than a flat package of cinnamon.

4. Chocolate

Stock up on chocolate — if you can resist eating up your inventory. I suggest buying bittersweet, semi-sweet and unsweetened baking squares in advance, but to hold off on the more tempting varieties.

I recommend buying milk and white chocolate as required — otherwise they might get eaten before you need them. I am also a fan of chocolate chips. High quality semi-sweet chocolate chips are always good to have on hand for last-minute cookies.

5. Baking powder and Baking soda

Baking powder and baking soda help make dough rise and are essential components in the science of baking. Make sure to check the expiration on these babies or you will have a flat biscuit like I did one time when my baking powder had expired.

6. Nuts and dried fruits

A variety of tasty extras elevate humdrum holiday recipes to family favourites. Dried fruit such as raisins, apricots, currants and cranberries to keep things interesting.

And don’t forget the nuts. Almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts are mainstays in many a festive dish, but feel free to substitute your favorites. You can buy nuts early and store them in the freezer until needed.

7. Vanilla

Pure vanilla extract is far superior in flavor, There really is no comparison to artificial, which is synthetically produced and one-dimensional.

8. Butter

Like it or not – there is nothing like the real thing.  Always have butter on hand as it freezes really well.  Don’t skimp and try to cut calories.  You are baking.  Use the real deal.  you will be rewarded in the end. Take a page from Megan over at Megan’s Munchies – everything in moderation.  Enjoy the butter!

Now that you are stocked and ready to go, it’s time to break out your favourite recipes, pre-heat the oven and kick off the holiday season with a day of baking. Your task today is to tell me what you are going to bake or if you already started and finished. Everybody who reads this post… come out of the wood work and tell me what you will bake or at least eat in the coming weeks.

I can’t wait to hear them all.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget today is the last day for the giveaway.  You have until 5:00 EST to get you name in for a chance to win $100, compliments of yours truly.

Take care

zesty