Stock the Pantry

Now is a great time to stock your pantry with sensible staples and delicious foods from Georgia! From condiments and mixes to ready to eat snacks, we've got lots of foods that you can use to prepare meals at home -- with a southern accent! Everybody knows that down home cooking at home is the best way to save time and money. Here are a few suggestions from CookingMatters.com on what foods to keep close at hand:

1. Hold on to whole grains. Fill your pantry with whole grain pasta, brown rice, barley, rolled oats, and other whole grain favorites, like our Rapid Gourmet Soup Mixes. They're an easy way to make dinner in minutes!

2. Bet on beans. Canned or dried beans add bulk to soups, salads, and pastas. Swap in beans in place of half the meat in tacos or other dishes. They are less expensive and lower in saturated fats. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added when buying canned.

3. Don't forget fruits and veggies. Canned produce was picked at its peak, so it's full of great nutrients. The same is true for condiments, like Georgia Peach Preserves, Georgia Honey, Georgia Fig Preserves, which are a great on bread or toast for a quick breakfast or as a glaze for cooking meats.

4. Feature fish. Another item you may not think of buying canned is fish. But canned fish is a great secret for getting more heart-healthy fish into your diet in an affordable way. Use canned tuna salmon to add protein to salads, casseroles, and pasta.

5. Nosh on nuts. Nuts and dried fruit make great pantry items. Throw our Georgia Pecans and Peanuts into homemade trail mix for an easy snack. Add to hot cereals, baked goods, or yogurt to pack a punch. Toss onto salad or sautéed greens to add sweetness and crunch.

6. Think outside the cereal bowl. Stock up on whole grain, low-sugar cereals when you find a good sale. Add to trail mix for a healthy snack. Or, crush and use as a crispy coating for meat, poultry, and fish.

7. Fill your pantry with flavor. Vinegars, salsas and other condiments, like praline mustard glaze and creamy vidalia onion salad dressing, can really spice things up! Or use them to make a flavorful marinade for proteins or vegetables. Apple cider, red wine, rice, and peach balsamic vinegars are all good options.

8. Spice things up. Speaking of flavor, keep the dried herbs and spices you use often on hand. Use to add taste in place of extra salt or fat.

9. Invest in healthy fats. Oils made with healthy fats are great for sautéing, baking, roasting vegetables, making salad dressings, and more. Canola oil is a lower-cost healthy choice best used for cooking. Olive oil may be worth the extra cost when making dressings or vinaigrettes.

10. Buy basic baking items. Keep basic ingredients like flour, pancake mixes, baking soda, and baking powder stored properly in your pantry. Use them to transform one ingredient into a complete dish.

Want to add some Southern Snacks to your pantry?
Beef Summer Sausage, Beef Jerky, Vidalia Onion Petals and Gourmet Flavored Pretzels are great places to start when it comes to ready to eat snacks that are wholesome and delicious.