Moving is tough for lots of reasons, not the least of which is all the items in your pantry that you haven't eaten for weeks, maybe months, (okay--years), that you don't want to have to pack and bring with you to your new, even smaller digs.
For the last few weeks weeks, Husband and I have diligently been exploring our pantry and trying to make something from nothing, save a few bucks, and still enjoy our dinner. We've eaten dried dates in our pasta, oatmeal in our bunt cake, and raisins like they are going out of style.
During the last US soccer game of World Cup (reverent pause, wistful sigh, wishes for what might've been), I worked on getting through some instant rice (having sold our microwave a month ago), old cream of mushroom soup cans, and a quarter of a package of frozen peas. I made a classic Wisconsin chicken and rice casserole, only without the chicken since Husband and I have turned vegetarian.
I mixed two cups of water with the cans of cream of mushroom soup , threw in the peas and large chunks of garlic (about six cloves), and added about a tablespoon of dried basil and a tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning. Into the 350 degree oven for about twenty-five minutes, and even though the we were on the disappointed edge of our seats for the rest of the match, we had satisfied bellies and a slightly lighter pantry.
It wasn't the best thing I've ever made but we managed and it worked. Sometimes, that is the best you can do, and it is just enough to hold onto. Even when it seems like the boxes are as empty as ever. Even when you forget to say the nice things you should to your husband, who loves your casserole anyway and says so. Maybe the pantry isn't the most challenging thing, but it helps to have it there, to blame and to redeem.
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