Organizing your pantry

[Hulamoon]

Today there was a post about organizing so I posted herbs and spices. Here is a list of mine in order. Add and subtract as you like This will help from buying duplicates!

allspice
bayleaf
celery seed
cinnamon
chili powder
cloves (ground)
coriander
cream of tartar
cumin
dill
garlic powder
ginger
italian seasoning
nutmeg
oregano (ground)
paprika (smoked)
rosemary leaves
sage (rubbed)
tarragon
thyme
white pepper

[Doloris]

Re: Organizing your pantry

That might work if I could keep DH out of the cupboards. As soon as I organize them he needs something from the back and then just shoves it back in anywhere. Sometimes not even on the same shelf.

[bubba]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I also have mine in alphabetical order and they are in a little track in a drawer. My husband knows better than to mess with them!

[PeggyM]

Re: Organizing your pantry

Love this! I have three of some things. I am going to dedicate my next snow day to taking inventory.

[Doloris]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I don't like him in there either, but if he is using the spices then he is cooking and I'm not, so I guess it's a trade off

[Hulamoon]

Re: Organizing your pantry

Love this! I have three of some things. I am going to dedicate my next snow day to taking inventory.

That's what I was trying to do. I started making crockpot meals and saw that some of these were getting repeated in the recipes. I took them all out and had my laptop and did the list. I have more but they are sort of random. A cool salt I bought at a fair etc.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I also have mine in alphabetical order and they are in a little track in a drawer. My husband knows better than to mess with them!

Poor monkey man. lol

[buckeyequilter]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I don't even know what I have in there...probably mostly outdated....but they're all outdated on the same shelf. I really do need to get the cabinets cleaned out. I got a couple cleaned and need to finish it up.

[maxwellthecat]

Re: Organizing your pantry

How long do spices last for and also, does honey ever expire?

[Hulamoon]

Re: Organizing your pantry

This is a good article on herbs and spices
How Long Do Spices Last? And Other Spicy Questions | Mrs. Fields Secrets

I always hear honey can last forever. If it crystalizes you can heat that down. Then I read that you shouldn't keep honey in the dark. I'd have to look into that more. Seems strange.

[maxwellthecat]

Re: Organizing your pantry

Thank you Lorie, I have been wasting my money throwing them out every 6 months. I know better now and I can't sprinkle the spice right into the pot I'm cooking in. You really helped me.
About the honey, I keep mine in the refrigerator and I will keep an eye on it. You say it shouldn't be left in the dark, well, when you close the refrigerator door, the light goes out, LOL, LOL, LOL. I know, I'm a nut.

[Genny]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I'd just love to have a pantry! I do have a very large lazy susan that is crammed full of everything!

[redcaboose1717]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I replace my spices every six months I do a weird thing with the spice (tin) containers. Almost 40 yrs ago my mom sent me all kinds of spices when we lived in Germany when my DH was in the service.
Since that time every time I replace the spices I dump the old spices from the original containers( they don't make tin containers any more) & replace it with the new spices. I even do this with my baking powder & baking soda( which is in a box)
I suppose it sounds weird but I did it cuz my mom spend time sending all that stuff to me!!!
All the containers do not have the UPC bat codes on them... These containers would be antiques now I imagine!!!

[CrazyMtnLady]

Re: Organizing your pantry

Great idea.... I have SO MANY spices I need more than one drawer.. add mustard (ground) mustard seed, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes.......and it goes on and on and on..................LOL

[Iris Girl]

Re: Organizing your pantry

I have 2 racks on my pantry door with the ones I use alot. The rest are in the cabinet over the stove thats quite a bit. I organized like this because I could A) never find the one I needed, or B) because I couldn't find it bought another. I have 3 basils... Not OCD enough to get them alphabetical as my son also cooks and they would never stay anyway.