Decluttering Pantry, Day Three

Yesterday was the 2nd shelf from the top. The "food" shelf. I figured it would be a breeze because I use that shelf the most. I try not to accumulate too much food in there that I don't use, but inevitably, it happens. The next shelf is primarily food and paper products so I tackled that one too. Now I only have one more shelf and the floor!

For those of you who haven't read my previous post on this pantry matter, I am in the middle of decluttering and organizing my kitchen, specifically the pantry. I am tying to not buy any groceries, except things like milk, until I use what I already have.

So anyway, here are a few interesting items I found lurking in the back corner out of sight:

Flossie's Funnel Cake Mix

It says "just add water," but I know there is more to it than that! What about the frying? On the back in the small print you read that it is a little more complicated than just adding water! "Pour funnel cake batter into an 8-ounce funnel, holding your finger under the funnel until ready to pour. Hold the funnel 2 inches above oil and let batter pour out of funnel. Move your hand in a circular motion creating a lattice design." No wonder I never made the stuff. I do remember buying it at some "Cracker Barrel Restaurant" because I simply had to have it since I love funnel cake!




Betty Crocker DonuTreats

Now these have been lurking in here for a long time. I might have even brought them from Laramie, over 10 years ago! LOL They don't even make these anymore. I wonder if I could sell them on Ebay? I made these once or twice for the kids when they were little. I wonder if they remember them? They were actually quite tasty, almost like a funnel cake! You mix up the batter and then you take this little wafer thing that comes in different shapes like stars, teddy bears, dinosaurs, etc. and dip the wafer in the batter, coating all of the wafer. Then you fry it in hot oil. When they are done you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar or sugar and cinnamon. Kind of a pain in the neck to make so that is why this box is still in here! Would be curious to know if anyone else out there ever made these! Let me know!





Blackberry-Ginger Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Potato Orzo, Four Peppercorn Linguine and Black Bean Veracruz Fettuccine

These all fall under the "Impulse Buy" category. These are the items I have accumulated through various Farmer's Markets and kitchen stores that I thought sounded delicious at the time but haven't figured out what to do with yet.
















Pepper Steak Seasoning Rub, Onion Dip Mix, Key Lime Pie Mix and Mile High Strawberry Pie Mix

Now these all fall under the "left over gift basket stuff" category. Any one else end up with all this stuff from gift baskets and don't use it? Or is it just me?















I did break down yesterday and went to the grocery store. I had to buy three items; flour, yeast and cream cheese. I had to make cinnamon rolls to go with the left over ham and bean soup we were having for dinner. The cinnamon rolls were kind of a bribe you could say to get Skyler and Dan the Man to eat the soup again! Hee, Hee, it works every time! But while I was shopping I did it again, the impulse buy thing and bought some rye flour! It wasn't on my list, so why did I do it? I'll tell you why.

We went to a different store, not Walmart since we had to pickup a couple of beefs we had processed in Torrington. Anyway, nice store, tons of variety! By the way, how come Walmart hardly has any variety anymore?? So there I was standing in the flour isle and holy cow, look at all the flour they have to choose from!! A baker's delight for sure! I have been shopping at Walmart way too long. Look at what I have been missing out on!

Anyone encounter Bob's Red Mill Flour? I couldn't believe my eyes at all the different kinds. I almost got a little giddy. Dan the Man was getting impatient and told me to hurry up and get the flour that I came for, but when I mentioned that I could make some fresh homemade rye bread with that rye flour he changed his tune a little. So I grabbed a bag of that flour and we got the rest of the items on the list. So I had four items, not the three that I came there for. Four items cost me $14.28! Can you believe that? No wonder we are going broke! $7.09 for a little jar of yeast! Makes me want to cry... I wonder if that rye flour will end up like the fancy flavored pasta? LOL Better not!