Pantry Raid!
I've been warned about grocery shopping while hungry, but that's nothing compared to grocery shopping at Sam's Club while hungry, and with a head full of recipes after reading several cookbooks and cooking magazines. I'm totally disgusted by how much food I just brought into my house. I didn't spend a lot of money, but on the 4th trip from my car to my house, I decided to boycott grocery stores. I have a full freezer and a precariously packed pantry, plus overflow that I stuck in the cubbyhole where I keep my mixer, blender, cake carriers, Cuisinart, stock pots, etc. Disgusting.
There used to be a cooking show where a chef showed up at someone’s house unannounced and tried to make a gourmet meal using whatever food he could find. Does anyone remember that show? Oh, I can’t think of what it was called. Anyway, he could do a lot with what I’ve got on hand. I always hoped to see a show where all he had to work with was peanut butter, Velveeta, Crisco and baking soda.
Anyway, I'm going to play a little game and see how long it takes me to pare down the pantry. Replenishing beverages (diet Coke, milk) and eggs are allowed, but no other food items are allowed to enter the house until my cupboards are clean and my ice cream maker fits in the freezer. Anyone care to take bets how long it will be until the food runs out?
Comments
Four trips from the car, Wonderwoman strength (plus Superman eyesight), and a variety of recipes... hmm... Knowing nothing about your actual purchases, I'll say "two months." More details and I might refine my prediction.
Since I typically cook for the Greek Army (all of them at once) but live alone, I usually can make one trip to the grocery store last a month... never made it more than six weeks, though.
Maybe instead of fitness, the challenge should be one shopping list and then starting on one day, we all go as long as possible without going back to the grocery store (except for the staples you mentioned).
Who's with me for that Snackdown?
Posted by: Red Momo | January 27, 2006 01:50 PM
I'd say a month and a half... Has Gentleman Caller agreed to the boycott however? ;-) Let me know if I need to send another case of Diet Pepsi!
Posted by: Blue Grilled Cheese | January 28, 2006 08:38 AM
Red Momo,
I like your idea of the shopping list, but that gives an unfair advantage to those of us with super-stocked pantries. Maybe the way to go is a list of several ingredients that everyone has to use, then see what sort of dishes people come up with, Iron Chef-style... what do you think of that idea?
Posted by: blue artichoke | January 28, 2006 06:07 PM
Blue Grilled Cheese: Luckily, diet Coke (Pepsi, whatever, it's all "coke" to me!) is on the approved list, so I can buy as much caffeine as I want/crave/need. I'm not about to restrict my caffeine dependency!
After posting this entry, I had to go to the grocery store last night because I was making cookies for the Snackdown party and I ran out of brown sugar and milk chocolate chips. I declare Snackdown-related purchases OK. But I was so mad to be back at the grocery store so soon after banishing myself. But it was for a snackdown party, what was I gonna do?
Posted by: blue artichoke | January 28, 2006 06:12 PM