Why does every budget meal tutorial assume you have a fully stocked pantry? I'm starting from zero here.

2 comments

2 Comments

Actually that's kind of the point of a pantry. You buy the cheap basics once and they last through many meals. Starting from zero means your first trip builds that foundation. Calling it a "stocked pantry" just makes it sound fancier than it is.

riley_bell3d ago

Fair point from @cole836 about basics being a start, but a truly stocked pantry has more than just cheap rice and beans. It's about having those versatile extras like canned tomatoes, broth, and spices that let you cook without a trip to the store. That foundation you build includes a bunch of those longer-lasting ingredients that add real flavor. Calling it stocked is about being ready to make a lot of different meals, not just the bare minimum.