Since we've been discussing the optimization of one's kitchen, we should probably take a look at our pantries, which are most likely packed to the brink with stuff that looks just like this. Oftentimes, the canned goods can take up an entire cabinet or pantry's worth of space. So, the question must be asked: Do we really need all of this?
There are many reasons our cabinets are packed to capacity with non-perishable foodstuffs tucked in tin. The most common is pure tradition. Mom used to have tons of them, as did grandma, and it just became an unspoken accepted practice to do the same. When asked about it, the response is usually along the lines of "it's good to have for a rainy day."
The logic is sound, but bear in mind that mom and granny had rainy days that were significantly different from ours. Your mom probably had to live through the cold war, where stockpiling goods was a commonly promoted thing. And of course they had to suffer through a recession similar to the one we're in now, only without the luxury of a "dollar menu."
It's sad to say, but on our rainy days we're more likely going to order a pizza than crack open the stockpile of canned goods. Which means we've got a lot of food that we really have no intention of eating, taking up valuable space in our kitchens. Perhaps it's time to lighten the load.
Now CSD in no way suggests you completely rid yourself of all canned items in your possession. Simply to go through and filter out the things you're less than likely to use. Any item that you regularly eat and/or enjoy eating should stick around. And if the very idea of opening up that can and chomping on the contents makes your face scrunch up into a sour milk state, then it's probably best we get it as far away from us as possible. If you hate broccoli, then I guarantee you're going to really hate broccoli in a can. Having a well balanced stockpile of good in your pantry is meaningless if you don't eat it.
Here's a sampling of my ideal pantry and what canned goods it would contain:
- Spam
- Clams
- Tomatoes
- Mixed Fruits
- Evaporated & Condensed Milk
- Peaches
- Olives*
- Corned Beef*
- Pineapple*
Your item list may vary significantly. You may find the idea of eating spam utterly reprehensible, but I absolutely love the stuff when it's done right. Evaporated milk may not be the most tasty thing on a bowl of cereal, but it does wonders when making sauces or soups. And canned fruits are always tasty, and tend to be reasonably healthy as well. The goal is to have items on hand that you would want to make something out of. This way, you're less likely to go buy some fat and preservative loaded treat to munch on while you enjoy your rainy day.
Now, while I acknowledge that all people have different palettes, there are some canned foods that are simply a crime against nature. Here are some of my humble recommendations for items you should get rid of and never ever buy again:
CANNED TUNA
Sure it's healthy and a cheap source of proteins, but it tastes awful! Salty, briny, and very unpleasant to the palette. And people pour in tons of mayonnaise with their tuna to help remove some of that bitter taste, which also cancels out a lot of those health benefits. I can understand that times are hard, and one can't afford fresh tuna every day, but your body deserves better than that. And there are better alternatives out there....
CANNED BEANS
If you love beans, chances are good you buy them fresh and make them right. And if you hate beans, well then you're probably not going to eat them anyways are you?
CANNED CHILI
The mentality that holds true for beans holds true for chili. It's better when it's fresh and done yourself. And you don't pay that much of a premium for the real deal (in some ways it can even be cheaper,) so steer clear of the cans
CANNED PEAS AND CORN
As always, the real stuff tastes better and is usually cheaper than the cans. But, these two items are highly seasonal, which means you may not be able to buy fresh corn come November. The better alternative in this case, is to go frozen. One of the characteristics we enjoy so much about both corn and peas is the crispness, and that's not something you get from the canned variety. Being frozen retains the texture, and specifically in the case of peas, makes for a dining experience that is very similar to fresh.
CANNED SOUPS
Now bear with me on this one. I fully acknowledge that canned soup is basically a staple in this country, but this is a cooking blog, and I'm not here to talk about cooking stuff with clear instructions on the back of a can. I'm here to talk about making things that taste better than what you'd find in those cans. And I have never found a canned soup or stew that made me enjoy eating. I'm willing to guess that you haven't either. So, I relegate the canned stuff to something that is best made by hand.
Once you've made up your ideal list of canned items to keep, I would recommend keeping no more than 2-3 cans of each item. This would strike a good balance between having some backup food handy, and not creating to much excess clutter. Line each item up in neat rows to make locating it easier (I'm sure we've all seen the canned good shuffle from time to time, a person frantically pushing cans to the side looking for an item that "they know they had at least one more of.")
Feel free to share your canned experiences in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment