Cleaning Out the Pantry

Tonight, as I was making dinner, I decided to go through the pantry and de-gluten it.  It was actually a little sad

I had to say goodbye to my beautiful panko breadcrumbs that I searched high and low for.  My orzo and all manner of other pasta, rolled oats, granola, pre-packaged sauces, and of course, flour. It looks so empty now.  All that’s left is baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, sugars (brown, raw and white), the left over rice noodles, and my assorted rices.

When I started, I didn’t realize just how many of my base ingredients would end up in the trash. I am starting to see just how much I am going to have to re-learn about cooking. I can deal pretty easily with simple meals and fresh ingredients.

Where I am a little nervous is in baking, and general comfort and winter fare. Soups, stews, casseroles, cakes, pies, cookies, chocolates, and the like. Breakfast has been a real challenge thus far.

I am going to try to start amassing new recipes and maybe starting to change the focus of my food. I don’t want to have to completely give up the foods I grew up eating. My mom taught me how to cook, and I have a special bond with the foods she passed down.

That said, I think that maybe moving my tastes a bit toward the southwest, maybe a little more cajun and/or asian foods can both allow for more gluten-free meals, and spice up our diet without having to just place the substitution game. I know I have the skills to do it. All I need is the drive.

Dinner tonight was steak, fresh summer corn on the cob and mustard balsamic roasted potatoes with fresh herbs and garlic. No recipes, just dinner on the fly. Turned out pretty damned good, actually – especially the corn.

I love summer!  Yay!

AC

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