My own pantry challenge: can what you eat and eat what you can

Here's a little confession: a fully stocked pantry looks wonderful, but it's no use at all if you don't actually like what's in it.

I've seen so many lists of "what to store for a crisis," and they're full of things nobody really wants to eat. And here's the thing. If you don't enjoy it now, you won't enjoy it in a crisis either. A hard week doesn't magically make a jar of something you dislike taste better ;)

So my rule has always been simple: can what you eat, and eat what you can.

This week I'm putting that to the test with my own pantry challenge. For the next seven days I'm making dinner from the jars on my shelves, with a few fresh things from the garden and the market. It's a good way to check what we really love, what we actually use, and what I should can more (or less!) of next year.

Here's the plan, and I'll adjust as I go ;)

Day 1, Thursday: lentil soup (coming soon)

Day 2, Friday: goulash from a jar (coming soon)

Day 3, Saturday: bolognese and pizza night (coming soon)

Day 4, Sunday: chicken tikka masala (coming soon)

Day 5, Monday: Korean beef rice bowls (coming soon)

Day 6, Tuesday: Texas chili (coming soon)

Day 7, Wednesday: boeuf bourguignon (coming soon)

So if you are interested in seeing how I use my home canned food, follow along!

Before you open a jar

Check the seal and look for spoilage before using any home-canned jar. More in A beginner's guide to safe home canning, Home canning and botulism and Home canning altitude adjustments.