It's funny, seems most folks are in two camps when it comes to recipe following.
-The Follow It to the Letter Group
-The Wing It Group
Neither one is totally right...or wrong.
Me personally, when I "cook"...I'm a wing it. When I bake...I'm a follow to the letter. Sometimes.
My hope here on this blog is to give you courage in your everyday cooking to branch out from following to the letter and wing it a little.
This probably isn't in your comfort zone at all. I get it. And hey...you're in good company. Even Ina Garten says her recipes that she created...she follows to the letter...every. single. time.
No shame or condemnation here. Just trying to help you switch it up a little and gain more confidence in pantry cooking. That's when you haven't been to the store but your pantry is stocked with staples. If you can whip up a semi-nutritious meal from the pantry/freezer...you're winning.
I want to see you winning!!
What staples do I keep in my pantry?
Glad you asked.
For a very basic beginner pantry get yourself the following items. Don't stress if you cannot get them all at one shopping trip. Spread it out over a few trips.
Flour...all-purpose
Sugar
Oil...I use coconut oil and olive oil.
Baking POWDER (be sure to get the aluminum free kind)
Baking SODA {NOTE: Baking Powder and baking soda...these two items are NOT interchangeable. You need both.}
Salt {If you can possibly invest in "real" salt, not iodized table salt please do. It will taste better, be better for you and help keep you from retaining fluids. I use Redmond's Real Salt.}
With these basic items (plus maybe some eggs/milk)...you can make breads, muffins, pancakes, waffles, crackers, start sourdough, make a breading/batter for meats or veggies.
We'll add to this list as we go along. But for each of the above...get the best quality that your budget will allow. Start adding them to your pantry (cupboard or wherever you safely store your nonperishable food items). I'll give you some time to gather them. And then we'll make something yummy.
Without a recipe. ;)