Housekeeping: Change is a-comin'

During the past week, while attending to a family medical emergency, I've had an opportunity to practice what I preach about having a well-stocked pantry.

Going directly from hospital to home, I opened the refrigerator and freezer, and checked the cupboards, confident that I had enough in the pantry to conjure up many meals in the days ahead.

No time to shop for food, and lots of time to think.

Believe it or not, I've posted about 265 ingredients since I started this blog in 2006. I've shared everything I know, and learned more than I ever expected. You've read some of my favorite food stories, and discovered my secret sources.

I've experimented with new ingredients and let you in on the brands I use (really, would you have known about Three Crabs fish sauce if not for The Perfect Pantry?). And I've given you recipes that use the ingredients you already have on hand, or that encourage you to add new ingredients to your own pantry.

So, let's focus on the recipes, on how to use what you already have. Which, of course, is the whole premise behind this blog.

Beginning on Tuesday, each post will get right to the recipe, with links to more information on The Perfect Pantry about each ingredient. When I discover something new, you will, too, whether it's a Pantry Special like tonka beans or filé powder, or something that becomes an I-can't-cook-without-it permanent feature in my kitchen.

And, of course, we'll keep peeking into Other People's Pantries and food markets as long as you share those with us.

So, stay tuned. Change is a-comin', and I hope you'll like it.

Comments

Very mysterious, I am curious...

Hope everything is ok now with the emergency at home.

I hope your emergency has turned out positively, Lydia.
I'm looking forward to seeing the changes you have in store. This is the time of year when we take stock and make changes, isn't it?

scary stuff - emergency at home - hope it is not ted.
Best of luck and looking forward to the new stuff.

Great, I am all for change of any kind. Family emergencies bring out the best in all of us, make us think outside the familiar box. Hope all is well.

ditto on what gourmet said

Hope everything will be okay--sending hugs and best wishes to you.

I know by now that anything you do will be informative, and delicious!

Bring on the recipes! Change is good. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy New Year!

Lydia, hope that you and yours are okay. Sending good thoughts your way.

Hope all is well with you. Looking forward to those recipes. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I like the inevitable evolution of The Perfect Pantry. Hope the New Year brings good health and good eating to all.

Oh dear! Worrisome stuff! I hope that recovery is in progress. Meanwhile, I'm sure we'll all enjoy any housekeeping changes... Lydia, you never disappoint!