Full Pantry Inventory and Asian Inspired Baked Chicken

The whole purpose of this challenge is to use what is already sitting in our pantry/freezer/fridge in order to save as much as possible on groceries and reset my whole budgeting mindset. As I made my inventory list I realized just how ridiculous it was that we have so much and yet I feel like we have nothing to eat!

Before we go any further I want to explain why I made this list and why I encourage you to do the same. Number one, it is absolutely eye opening. I'm assuming most Americans are like me and have several things that sit and don't get eaten. And the same reaction I have, "there's nothing to eat." Number two, it is going to be a great way to see what you have so you can build meals off of your existing supply. I could probably list more reasons but let's get started! 

Be sure and hang on till the bottom of the post so you don't miss out on a new dinner we had this evening.

Pantry Inventory List:

Freezer items:

Deer meat: 11 pounds of ground, 1 back strap, 2 chops, 2 steaks

Sausage: frozen sausage patties, 1 lb cooked ground sausage

1 pork tenderloin

Fridge:

1/2 jar of pizza sauce

peach preserves

2 dozen eggs

1/2 gallon of milk

Cheese: 1 bag sharp cheddar, 1 bag mozzarella, 6 slices of cheddar, 1/4 container parmesan cheese, pepper jack 

1/2 jar of strawberry jam

1/2 carton of chicken broth

various condiments

2 sticks of butter

1 quart buttermilk

creamer

1 jar organic applesauce

bbq sauce

2 peppers

1/2 purple onion

celery

4 lemons

bag of cherries

1 lime

1 small container of raspberries

Cabinets:

Old fashioned oats

Pasta- udon noodles, 2 boxes spaghetti noodles, 1/2 bag of brown rice pasta

4 boxes of Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese

3 jars of Strawberry Sauce

3 jars of Strawberry Jam

4 jars of salsa

1 jar of peanut butter

1 can of enchilada sauce

2 cans of tuna

1 can organic coconut milk

Beans: 1 bag of pintos, 2 cans garbanzo beans, 3 cans kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 2 cans great northern beans

1/2 bag tortilla chips

2 large cans whole tomatoes

3 cans tomato paste

1 small can tomato sauce

2 cans diced tomatoes 

1 small can whole tomatoes

3 cans beef broth

1 jar organic applesauce

1 jar apple butter

1 jar pickles

4 jars pizza sauce

1/2 box cereal
small bag of russet potatoes

We also have a backyard garden with produce coming in at times.

I also have various baking goods, herbs, spices, and wheat which can be ground for flour.

Household goods are running low, I will need pull-ups, toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, etc soon. 

There is the complete pantry inventory. My next step will be tonight to plan meals. I will be posting my meal plan tomorrow. If you are joining us on the challenge try to plan at least a week of meals with what you have already.

Now for the meal we had tonight... This meal was less than $4 to feed our whole family of 6 and the kids were practically licking their plates when they finished! 

I had gotten a 2 lb pack of chicken legs that were marked down for $1.99. These were the brand that our store sells that is antibiotic free and humanely raised so it was a great deal! Here is what I did with them and it will definitely be a keeper of a meal! 

Asian Inspired Baked Chicken

preheat oven to 350

ingredients: 

2 lbs chicken legs (this would be great on other cuts as well)

1 1/2 T olive oil

1/2 C soy sauce or alternative

1 1/2 T ketchup

3/4 C honey

2 cloves minced cloves of garlic

Lay chicken in a pyrex style baking dish. Mix all ingredients well, whisking with a fork and pour it over the chicken. 

Bake for 45mins to an hour or until sauce is coating well. 

Enjoy! :) 

Our sides with this were green beans out of our garden and carrots that were boiled for 5mins, drained, then cooked for 5-10 mins until tender in some of the sauce poured over the chicken (they were so delicious!).