GET CREATIVE IN QUARANTINE WITH THESE 10 PANTRY-INSPIRED MEALS
We all have those items that sit in the back of our pantry for weeks. Jars of oats, corn bread mix, pancake mix, stale bread, onions, dozens of cans of beans, and peanut butter. They aren’t the most exciting foods— but the never-ending-blurring-days-of-quarantine, are about to get a lot more interesting because of them.
Here’s the basics of what you'll need to get creative in quarantine with these pantry-inspired meals:
- Oats
- Cornbread mix
- Stale bread
- Onions
- Beans
- Peanut butter
We've gathered a handful of recipes for all the pantry items listed above, bon appétit! And happy quarantine cooking, may you look as good as Queen Bey, while doing it.
Pantry Item #1: BEANS
Image sourced from https://cafedelites.com/
1. Leftover Ham & Bean Soup Topped With Onion
We found a simple version of a hearty midwestern favorite: Ham and Beans. ***Usually served with a side of cornbread and topped with onions in Indiana. This leftover inspired pantry meal can be cooked in 15minutes. You can try cooking this classic ham and beans meal with this recipe.
2. Pesto Made With Navy Beans
We all have cans of unused beans laying around. For some reason they just don't always make it to our dinner plate but we're still buying them. Funny right? Well here's something. Don't go out and spend time trying to locate pine nuts during a global health crisis. Make your favorite classic pesto with navy beans instead. This, cheeky navy bean pesto pantry recipe can be found here.
Pantry Item #2: STALE BREAD
Image sourced from epicurious.com
3. Garlic Parasean Croutons
This herby delight, can become family fun. Grab the ingredients and a mixing bowl, and plop them in the oven. If you have children or younger siblings, they will find their salad much more interesting with their creations atop.
This crouton recipe, will take about 45minutes, forgo the french bread and instead reach for whatever forgotten loaf you have in your pantry.
4. Pizza Bruschetta (or call it stale bread pizza, if you will)
Photo sourced from the New York Times Cooking
Who knew that 3-day old loaf of ciabatta could look this good, I didn't. Old bread, fresh ingredients, a match made in a not-so-epicure heaven. It's a relatively easy recipe only calling for 9 ingredients, if you count the spices. You'll need about 30 minutes, and something to sip on while you wait.
They say, when cheese reaches the temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, that's when all the gooeyness happens. You can find the New York Times stale bread pizza recipe here.
Pantry Item #3: CORNBREAD MIX
Image sourced from tasteofhome.com
5. Homemade Fair Style CornDogs
Ummmm...can anyone say homemade corndogs? I can. Homemade corndogs anybody? No, okay. I'll eat them all by myself!
This recipe will only take about 20minutes, but make sure you have the right set up for deep frying. Also we recommend a package of all beef franks, for the best flavor.
You can find the delicious homemade fair food styled corn dog recipe here.
6. Cornbread Pancakes with bananas
From the creators of all good things, this Tasy.com recipe is sure to get your taste buds salivating. Honestly, cornbread pancakes with jiffy mix is a staple everyone should know how to make. The cornbread really gives the pancake a great texture and real flavorful depth. Adding bananas only sweetens the deal.
The tasty recipe for banana cornbread pancakes can be found here.
Photo sourced from tasty.com
Pantry Item # 4: Onions
Photo sourced from deschutesbrewery.com
7. Brew-battered onion rings
Movie-night? Want to make it different from last nights, try adding homemade brew battered onion rings. This recipe calls for about 15-20 minutes of work. You'll also have to bake the onion rings once you're done battering. This brewery inspired recipe is one for the cookbooks. This brewery created recipe for beer battered onion rings can be found here.
Pantry Item #5: Peanut Butter
Image sourced from cookieandkate.com
8. Thai Peanut Butter Soba noodle Slaw
This next recipe is uses peanut butter in a way that is not a pb&j, so we're pretty happy to add it to our quarantine pantry cooking list. It's also a crowd pleaser with 308 comments on the original recipe. It will only take you about 25 minutes. This asian-inspired healthy peanut butter soba noodle slaw can be found here.
Pantry Item #6 Oats
Image sourced from cookieandkate.com
9. Homemade granola made with whole foods
Okay so we really love food blogger Cookie + Kate, so we've decided to share one more of her recipes. With whole foods in mind, this granola is sure to make use of your bag that's been sitting in the back of your pantry. This homemade recipe crafted with whole foods like oats and pecans can be found here.
The recipe only calls for about 26 minutes of your vast amount of quarantine time, and you'll be munching for days. Remember, a good diet can complement your supplement routine; as well as staying active. If you keep up with all three areas you'll be able to achieve your goals.
10. Make your own oat milk
Yes, it is possible to not spend $5 on a half gallon of oat milk. Instead if you're up for it, you can make your own. Full of magnesium and B vitamins, you can't go wrong with trying. You can learn more about making your own healthy oat milk, which is a great alternative to cows milk, here. Try your hand at it: it might be better than store bought.
photo sourced from detoxinista.com
~Enjoy only the best your pantry has to offer. Wait no, wrong closing.Make the most of what your pantry has to offer, during COVID-19's seemingly* never ending quarantine.
**but it will end, because all things end at some point. #StaySafe
----BCRX Content Writer, Klarrisa Arafa