Pantry Inventory Part One - What is on the Dresser Shelves

I know that a lot of you are familiar with my Dresser shelves and may not be as familiar as to what I actually keep on them. These are just items that I have happened upon or actually set too and made myself and which I find useful.

This is the stuff that already has a jar and which is kept randomly for the time being on the Dresser shelf.

I would just mention that if I tend to see a rare item available to buy like Aniseed seeds then I do buy them in when I see them as you never quite know when you are going to happen on them again.

Aniseed 

Intended for making some cookies but also for having a go at making some home made Anisette/Pernod type drinks.  Not tried either before but looking forward to trialling this.  Pernod is an absolute favourite of mine.

Mace: Whole Membrillo Mace (the outer husk of a Nutmeg).  

Lovely when ground up and used instead of Nutmeg.  I tend to add it to Rock Buns and Tea breads it is a much milder flavour but more rounded.

Chinese Five Spice powder

I frequently make home made Stir fry dishes using up what I have in the fridge and sometimes this goes in with chicken and sometimes I will use an alternative but it is handy to have on the shelf.  I also use it in homemade plum sauce.

Allspice

Used in curing together with Black Peppercorns and Juniper Berries.  Also in salt mixtures.

Black Peppercorns

I tend to use in stocks and in general cooking but ground down.

Juniper Berries 

In pates and with curing.  One day would like to have a go at making my own "Gin".

Home Dried Chilli Pepper - Habanero

These were grown and dried by us last summer. These are for G.

Home Dried Chilli Pepper  - Cayenne 

These were grown and dried by us last summer.  I use more as a seasoning ground down or in my Pickled onions to give more heat.

Dried Basil

I bought in some Basil that was on offer and did not use it all so rather than waste some I had a go at drying it.  Seems to have come up well.  I intend to dry some more when I see it on offer.  I also plan to make some Basil vinegar in due course and make another pot of preserved Basil for the fridge.

Sesame Seeds - Natural

Toasted - in stir fries, as a nutty dressing for salad (incorporated with other seeds and nuts)

Sesame Seeds (Hulled) 

Toasted.  I use these on top of yogurt, usually as a topping for Granola or Muesli.  Gives a lovely nutty flavour but is also full of goodness small amounts of trace vitamins that are beneficial to the system.

Pudding Rice

Always on hand for the proverbial rice pudding either served hot or cold.

Soup Pasta  

I get this from the Polish shop it is very fine strands of pasta in short lengths.  Adds a little more texture to a stew or soup without being large lumps of this and that.

I add this a lot to stews, soups, casseroles as it gives another texture element to whatever am cooking.

Sea Salt

I keep a lot of this in as when I cure meat or fish I use quite a bit of this.  However I also use generally in cooking and for preserving.  Take for instance Rosemary salt it is bliss on home made chips.  I also use on roast potatoes.

Tapioca

Not my bag.  This is for G.  I cannot stand the stuff.  Generally just for pudding for him though.

Lentils

Have these in to try them.  Going to try a Lentil style soup to start with.  I think have had before as a child, but cannot really remember so some experimenting in order to see if I like or not.

Dried Chick Peas

I keep these in for every so often bottling a load in order to make my own Hummus. 

Red Kidney Beans

Keep these in dry and then every so often process a load of jars so that I can literally just use the beans off the Pantry shelf.  More of a convenience thing than anything else.

Used in chillies - not a big heap but enough to give more texture.

Puy Lentils

Yet again there are some French style dishes want to have a go at so this is why they are on the shelf.

Marrowfat Peas 

Mushy peas and also for sowing for fresh Pea Greens.

Mixed Beans 

For stews and casseroles, soups and dips.

Small Pasta 

For salads and use in soups.

Variegated Pasta Bows medium white green and pink.

I just love Pasta in all its shapes and sizes.

Crystallised Ginger

I love to munch on this but I also bake with and cook with it.  I prefer to use Stem Ginger for cooking but if I do not have any to hand I just cut a couple of chunks into smaller pieces and add these to my home made stir fry meal.  Also use in baking.

Basmati Rice

I like this Rice, but depends on what the price is as to whether I buy it.  At the moment have been using a cheaper rice and that serves the purpose just as much, but still have some to use.  Tend to use more in curries that sort of thing.

Desiccated Coconut

In baking and for cookies.  Also in Muesli and Granola.  Also in yogurt.

Home Dried Chillies 

For pickling - grown and dried by myself specifically for my Pickled Onions.

Sea Salt

Rock Salt

Both Sea Salt and Rock salt used for curing more than anything else.

Red Lentils 

For soup, dhal etc.

Dehydrated Mixed Veg 

For adding to stews, soups, casseroles and gravies.

Cloves 

Primarily for flavouring Gammon at Christmas, but I also use in stocks and sauces like Bread Sauce.

Blue Poppy Seed

For bread making.

Wild Rice

When I fancy a change up from plain rice or Basmati.  This has a little more interest and texture.  I quite like this.

Dried Rose Petals

Used in teas also used for baking and puddings.  Also used in homemade toiletries and soap making.  Also used in a traditional Harissa paste.

Dried Carnation Buds

For bath salts and homemade toiletries.

Dried Cranberries

For baking, chutney, breads, Christmas cakes, cookies etc.

Mixed seeds 

Primarily for topping breads but can also be combined with nuts and other seeds for toppings for salads and also cereal.

Dried Chamomile

For teas, washing the hair with.  If you have fair hair good for lightening your hair up every so often.

Dried Lavender

For making Lavender bags, use in soap making, bath salts, baking, cordials, syrups and Lattes.

Chocolate Vermicelli

For decorating cakes with.

Dried Elderflower

For use in homemade toiletries, salves, creams.  Also for making cordials and syrups.

Agen Prunes 

For stuffing roast pork or for using in a winter fruit salad along with apples and dried apricots, cherries etc.

Dried Rosebuds 

For teas.  For use in cosmetics and bath salts, vinegars, tea/tisanes.

Dried Thyme 

I buy in Thyme when I can and dry it on its stems.  I then keep it whole in a jar and use it whole like this with either roasts or casseroles.  Thyme is a very useful plant and I love the flavour of it on roasties and also with a roast chicken.  Helps to give a bit more flavour.  I also "rub" the stems free of the leaves and store the leaves separately.

Items that still need jars

Rosehip powder

This was bought in and I have had for a little while.  Cannot remember where I bought it in from but I use it mixed into Granola or Muesli.  I mix in about 1 teaspoon of the powder).  For a vitamin C hit.  I shall probably dry my own again this year.

"Grannys" Spiced Salt

A sea salt mixed with Aromatics like Juniper berries, allspice etc.

Pizza spice with Garlic

Aromatic herbs mixed with

Thyme Leaves

I use these a lot in cooking.  This is the stemless version which has been rubbed off of it's stalk/stem. Thyme is also very good in honey when you have a bad cold and can be used to add to the glaze for roasted carrots either plain or Lemon scented.

Star Anise - Whole

I use these to put into a pot with a chicken and boil it to give tender flavoured chicken to use in a Chinese style meal, to flavour homemade Barbecue sauce and Plum sauce, with pickled peaches and in lots of other ways.  Also add to a jar of honey and then use the honey to coat the outside of a roast chicken. Also use in Christmas decorations and ornaments. Also for making Chai, added to pickles and fruit salads.

Bay Leaves Powder.  

I powdered some older Bay Leaves I had to make a powder to add into stews and casseroles.  G not keen on whole Bay Leaves as one always seems to get away and he finds it!  I prefer to use the whole leaves but this helps a lot.

Rose Pepper/Pink Peppercorn

Not truly a pepper. Used in Charcuterie for adding to Salami. Can mix with other peppers to create your own pepper mix for use in general cooking. 

Ground Aniseed

For use in cookies and biscuits

Rosemary

I love Rosemary fresh and dry.  I suppose I prefer fresh for things like roasts or roast potatoes etc. but each work well.  However I absolutely love Rosemary jelly with cold meat platters and roast platters.  Gives a whole other taste level.  Also used in Christmas decorating and making homemade Bouquet Garni.

Wild Garlic/Ramson Leaves 

to give a little garlic flavour to soups, stews and gravies. Also can be powdered and added to general cooking for a mild garlic flavour.

Oregano 

Beautiful with tomatoes

Methi - Fenugreek Seeds

Not used these yet.  Managed to get on a reduction but plan to use.

Brown Mustard Seeds 

For making a dark mustard or mixing with yellow mustard seeds for a mixed version.  Also used in pickles.

Onion Powder

Recently bought - in general cooking or where you need to amplify the flavour.

Garlic Powder

Recently bought - as above for Onion Powder

That is a lot of stuff on the shelf and there are still a lot of items yet to make it to the shelf.  I like investigating how to use different ingredients.

Do you keep anything different on your shelves.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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