My first grocery list
Building a new pantry from scratch can be overwhelming, but it’s an essential task, as it will establish the basics for your everyday needs in the kitchen and make your life easier in the long run.
Leaving the family home? Buying your first house? New beginnings (and a new kitchen!) are exciting, but they also mean the dreaded first grocery shopping trip.
We’ve got you covered with our printable list of staples, as well as our tips to stock up and get organized like a pro! Use this list as a guide and adjust it according to your own needs, tastes and preferences.
You’ve got all your essentials, now what? Getting your pantry and fridge organized is just as important! It will save you time and headaches and will make your everyday cooking easier and more enjoyable.
Article
Make Fresh Food Last LongerBy knowing the proper ways to save and store foods, you can keep them fresh and reduce waste, saving money in the long run.
Article
The Better It’s Kept, the Fresher It Is!Too often, we tend to throw food away after only a few days. Say goodbye to waste and keep food fresh longer by using these smart strategies!
Divide your pantry into zones
Start by identifying food and cooking categories (weeknight dinners, breakfast, baking, snacks, etc.). Next, designate an area for each of those, making sure the most often-used zones are the most accessible.
Be creative with storage solutions
Use clear jars or airtight containers that stack well to store dried goods (cereal, rice, grains, flour, etc.) and make sure to include both the use-by date and type of food on the label
Use storage baskets, plastic bins, shelf expanders and spice racks to make things more visible and accessible. Choose solutions that work best for you depending on your pantry layout and your personal preferences.
What about the fridge?
By knowing how to properly store foods in your refrigerator, you can keep your food fresh longer, reduce waste and avoid contamination.
Here are a few simple storage strategies for your fridge:
Know the shelf life of your food
Knowing the average shelf life of your food is essential not only to avoid waste, but also to ensure you always have fresh ingredients on hand.
Know the shelf life of your food
- Most condiments will keep in the fridge for about a year once opened.
- Canned goods and dried pasta will keep for up to two years.
- Refined flour will last about a year, while whole grain flours will become rancid after 6 to 9 months.
- Baking soda lasts indefinitely but might lose its potency with time. It might be safe to replace it every 3 years
- Baking powder lasts for 9-12 months.
Now that you have a well-stocked kitchen, you’re ready to get started! Get inspired with our selection of easy recipes ready in 30 minutes or less:
recipes
30 minutes or less recipeHere are a few recipe suggestions by l'Académie Culinaire that take less than 30 minutes to prepare.