What’s Good Wednesday: “To the Pantry Dive and Crisper Crash, an Ode”

Look up #pantrydive or #crispercrash hashtags on instagram and I’ll bet the majority of posts are from Mad Hungry. Countless are the times a family member has said to me, “there’s nothing in the house to eat!”

Determined to prove them wrong (and to avoid an expensive, subpar take-out order), I stand up, take a deep breath, close my eyes, and gaze into the cupboard. Dry beans, legumes, grains, cans of tomatoes, tuna or coconut milk peak out. Scope the pantry for garlic, onion, shallot, anything to create a base flavor. Open the fridge and scan the crisper for a carrot, some celery, and maybe even a half a cabbage, and peak on the fridge-door shelves for any saucy-seasoning options.

Something will jump out at you; a spark will ignite, an idea forms, and a glimpse of dinner is in sight. Grab a cookbook, peruse online, or lean on your acquired cooking skills to get started.

The closed eyes help me picture something cooked and finished before I begin. The result often ends up as delicious as a shopped-for, premeditated dinner. When you shop for the house groceries do a quick scan of the pantry to make sure your spices, oils, and above-mentioned ingredients are on hand. The chicken stock I make every couple weeks gets stored in the freezer in pint and quart containers which triples the recipe options and provides quick nourishing medicine to anyone under the weather.

So remember, when there’s “nothing in the house to eat,” there’s always something, especially if you give some market love to the freezer, fridge and pantry.

P.S. Thank you to every single person who has supported our business, and taken a chance on our products. Recipes, dinner ideas, food inspiration, and tastes of travel come to you daily on our instagram & facebook @madhungry –so if there is anything, anything you want to know about real, daily homecoming, you know where to find us (for those who are no in the social media realm, please reach out to hello@madhungry.com for any questions, comments, or concerns).

Recipes of the Week:

The Lentil Soup recipe first published in Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys is practically the poster child for #pantrydive & #crispercrash and is still a family favorite (cue the freezer chicken stock or just sub water).
Recipe Link Here: https://madhungry.com/?recipes=lentil-vegetable-soup

My husband would eat Chana Masala (spicy chickpeas) any day for any meal. If your spices are secured in airtight containers they stay pungent and fresh. Fresh ginger keeps in the crisper for a long time. And this meal improves if made ahead which makes it a great potluck dish.
Recipe Link Here: http://madhungry.com/?recipes=spicy-indian-chickpeas

My great aunt Sarah taught me the dish that her mom served on their meatless Friday nights. Canned tomatoes, chickpeas, chicken stock and dried pasta are pantry staples. First published in the magazine, Everyday Food (RIP), in 2009.
Video Link Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZSJhZ6yq4 
Recipe Link Here: https://www.marthastewart.com/316437/pasta-with-chickpea-tomato-sauce