All Parts of the Pantry Dinner

The problem with a Pantry Challenge is that the meals can be uninteresting to post.  Then I remembered that the point of this blog is how to use what you already have.  The actual recipes are a bonus.  So here's how I used ingredients already on hand for a no-purchase meal.

The original plan was to enjoy whatever jars of meat didn't seal from a canning session.  I did a pork shoulder and about three pounds of chuck roast.  All nine jars sealed, which is awesome, but then I had to decide if I wanted to open one or come up with something else for dinner.  I decided to bulk up a large can of soup to turn it into four meals.

And that's the cool part of a well-stocked pantry.  You can pivot at the last minute.  You can handle extra guests at a dinner party after your last trip to the grocery store.  When you're sick, you can stay in for three days without worrying how to feed yourself.  I had plenty of options for my protein and chose one that worked well with my sides.  I don't often open three cans for a single meal, but there's no reason not to.

From the dry pantry

mashed potato flakes
can of pickled beets I bought by mistake
can of cut green beans a month past their date
can of Campbell's chunky split pea with ham
milk powder
oil, vinegar, and spices

From the fridge

margarine

From the garden

lettuces
green onion

The Meal

Split-pea and ham stew
Oniony mashed potatoes 
Garden salad with pickled beets