Pantry Prep - Getting Ready for a New Season

 Hello all - hope this finds you all well and safe.  It is a lovely day here so far.  The sunrise was just beautiful this morning.  Pinks, oranges against the blue - it was lovely.  It is a cool fall morning but will return to an 80's summer day later on!  Yep, we get to enjoy 2 seasons each day.

Many have been talking about and taking action, to get ready for the winter season.  Pantry preps always come to mind when the seasons change.

We all want to save as much money as possible from new purchases, we want to have plenty in our homes for various reasons, and then there are the holidays.

There are several things we can all do right at home to prepare and add to the pantry.  They cost very little, and they are healthy options.

I know I have listed some of these before - but we always get new people reading, and I like to remind our regulars of creating at home.

Click on recipe to enlarge for easier reading.

This is great to mix up and have on hand for soup or for adding to another type of soup, casseroles etc.

Cream of soups can be costly at the store, and they contain a lot of 'stuff' we don't necessarily want in our food.  Make up a batch of this and add in whatever you want to make your own versions of cream of!!!!

Here is a basic outline for creating casseroles for a quick night's dinner using what you have around the house (including leftovers).  This was originally listed by Amy of the Tightwad Gazette.  I have used this outline many times over the years.

It can sure make a tasty meal for next to nothing.

End of the season and end of the garden and have a bunch of green tomatoes to use?  Can them and you can use them all winter long.  I do this almost every year.  It is super easy to do, and I can enjoy one of my favorite things during the winter!!!!

Once you drain these and then batter - fry and they taste just like fresh!!!!!

Make your own ranch mix.  You can make dressing or dip.  I have most of these ingredients on hand all the time - and it is so easy to whip up.  No fillers or preservatives in this mix!

If you do not have dried chives - you can dehydrate the tops to green onions and use.

It is just nice to have many of the basics on your shelves for any type of use.  Life gets hectic and busy at times, and it is nice to just not fret and about what is in the pantry.

Hope everyone is taking inventory and looking to add some great homemade goodies to your shelves and your belly!!!!

Some of these would make Christmas gifts and goodie bag additions as well!!!!

Have a glorious day, be happy and be kind.