By: Itta Surie Wirtzberger, Lubicom Marketing Staff

 

 

Finding ourselves in rather unusual circumstances has left many of us anxious and confused as to how to stock the house. After all, we want our family to have what they need!

 

Do we buy a month’s supply worth of food? A day? A week? Is toilet paper such a necessity that the shelves emptied or is it just the panic? 

 

While we don’t know the outcome, we need to calm down and think logically. With minimal ingredients that have a long shelf life and the current food in your pantry, you can feed a family for quite some time. 

 

 

Purchase eggs, milk, and bread with a basic counting of what would be consumed and needed within the next few days. Buy some fresh produce for the next few days as well. No need to let healthy eating slide. Basic canned fish (tuna, salmon, sardines), among other canned products, have a long shelf life and can be sold for Pesach with the chametz. 

 

These items are staples that will ensure your family can be well fed for the next week come what may with nutritional choices and healthy food. 

• Eggs 

• Bread 

• Cereal 

• Milk 

• Canned beans/peas 

• Frozen veggies 

• Pasta / rice 

• Milk and cheese 

• Peanut butter / jelly 

• Basic chicken and meat supply 

• Chocolate – for sanity’s sake 

 

But truthfully, it’s the perfect time to work through your freezer and pantry, using up those bits and pieces that would usually get thrown in the fire at Biur Chametz. 

 

Below are just a few different ideas to use as a springboard of inspiration. 

 

1. Leftover bits of bread and challah in your freezer
Those bread ends and random slices could turn into a gourmet breakfast dish. Check out this sweet bread kugel for directions. 

 

2. Frozen veggies (and fresh ones that are almost gone) 

 

 

Those opened bags of various frozen vegetables, and the limp looking carrots can get a facelift and purpose. Sauté onion and add the veggies, spices, and stock for a delicious and hearty vegetable soup that will be enjoyed by all. The fragrant aromas as it’s cooking will call all to the table, and bonus points for adding that half a bag of barley or grain found in the back of the pantry towards the end of cooking time for extra heartiness and flavor. 

 

3. Tortilla / Wrap Pizza 

 

 

Set up a pizza station. Have the kids wash their hands and create their pizzas to bake. 

 

Lay out some of the following:

• Wraps, tortillas or frozen pizza dough

• Sauce. Use the frozen tomato paste cube, lightly spiced or the last bit of the marinara jar

• Cheese that you have handy (if it’s not shredded from the store either grate it or cut it in small pieces)

• Toppings. Get creative. Any fun food in the fridge could make a cool topping. 

 

4. Snack ‘n’ chili 

With all the beans and various kitnoyot meant to get out before the chag, put up a big pot of crockpot chili. 

 

When ready to serve, empty the snack drawer and cabinet of all half-opened bags of chips. Use those for dipping in the chili. Think corn chips, flat pretzels, etc. 

 

5. Join the board fun 

 

 

With all kinds of boards making their appearance (charcuterie, cheese, breakfast, etc.) create your own for breakfast and lunch. Put the teen in charge and tell her to rummage the pantry and fridge for finds. 

 

Think cheeses, proteins, condiments, crackers, fruit, and veggies. Great way to use the last few pieces of various crackers sitting around that don’t quite make everyone satisfied. 

 

Bon appetit!