Scraping together a quick, yummy meal from odds and ends in your fridge, freezer, and pantry is sooooo satisfying! I have some basic goodies I always have on hand or have reoccurring on my grocery list (I use a shared instacart list with my roommates-haha, that I use as an in-person shopping list) so I never get caught without necessities. I thought I would share my must-have, keep-on-hand staples, and some fast recipes to whip up something good if there’s “nothing to eat!”.
Refrigerator
soy sauce
hot sauce
red wine vinegar
balsamic vinegar
balsamic glaze
chopped bacon bits (real)
minced garlic (jar)
sour cream
real mayo
real butter
dijon mustard
creamed horseradish
parmesan
cheeses (many)
Freezer
burger
chicken
shrimp
sausage
salmon
trader joe’s asian meals
trader joe’s fries
veggies
beechers & stouffers-
mac n cheese
artisan bread (sliced como/italian/french, freeze with parchment paper between slices)
Pantry
rice
pasta
potatoes
beans
olives
salsa
mushrooms
pickles
rotel tomatoes
crushed tomatoes
oils (variety)
vinegars (variety)
spices (so many)
slap ya mama seasoning
nuts (variety)
Garden
lettuces (many)
arugula
basil
cilantro
flat leaf parsley
scallions
chives
peppers
Quick and easy fresh recipes
Shrimp and peppers over rice
# servings optional, approx 500 cal
Ingredients
frozen (thaw) or fresh med shrimp
slap ya mama seasoning
rice (instant white or brown)
peppers/onions mix (frozen)
lime juice
cilantro and/or flat-leaf parsley
Put it all together
saute shrimp in olive oil & butter and season with slap ya mama, when done, remove from pan and set aside, add a bit more olive oil to hot pan and stir-fry peppers & onions, season with slap ya mama
make rice
add shrimp back in with peppers (s&p to taste)
mound some rice in a bowl and top with shrimp & peppers, add cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if ya like
options; add peanuts or cashews, top w/scallions, sprinkle w/sesame seeds
tomato bruschetta
serves one, approx 450 cal
Ingredients
baguette (small rounds or sliced down the middle like a canoe)
crushed or chopped tomatoes (drained)
minced garlic 1/2 tblsp
olive oil 1 tblsp
basil leaves
red wine vinegar 1/2 tblsp
pine nuts
parmesan (shaved is prettiest)
put it all together
saute minced garlic in olive oil, add to bowl of tomatoes, add chopped basil, red wine vinegar, s&p
brush baguette with olive oil and rub w/garlic clove or sprinkle with garlic powder, bake at 400 or brown rounds, both sides, in dry skillet
top bread with tomato mixture and
sprinkle with pinenuts, parmesan and more basil, if ya like
options; drizzle with _______, add feta, add avocado,
Tuscan salmon
serves two, approx 600 cal
Ingredients
2 salmon fillets (keep some frozen fish on hand)
2 tsp olive oil
2 tblsp butter
4 cloves garlic, finely diced (or 1 tblsp jar minced garlic)
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
1/3 cup vegetable or chicken broth
5 oz jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained or fresh grape tomatoes
1 & 3/4 c heavy cream
s&p to taste
3 c baby spinach leaves
1/2 c grated Parmesan
1 tblsp fresh parsley, chopped
put it all together
heat oil in a large skillet (med-high)
season salmon on both sides with s&p, sear in hot pan flesh-side down for 5 minutes on each side, or until salmon is cooked to your liking, remove pan and set aside (do not clean pan)
melt butter in that juicy pan over med heat
add garlic and saute until fragrant (about one minute) add onion and saute until translucent
add sun-dried tomatoes and saute for 1-2 minutes
pour in broth, and allow sauce to reduce down
reduce heat to low, add heavy cream, bring to a low simmer while stirring often
season sauce w/s&p
add spinach and allow to wilt
add parmesan and simmer for another minute until cheese melts
add salmon filets back into the pan; sprinkle with the parsley, and spoon the sauce over each filet
serve immediately
options; serve over rice or egg noodles or alongside mashed potatoes, top salmon with parmesan and parsley
Enjoy! xo-Katie
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