HOME + GARDEN
Large-Suffolk larder , Neptune insideKENT KEY PANTRY INGREDIENTS ( YOU ’ LL THANK US LATER )
The Essentials – salt & pepper , all the oils ( oil , rapeseed ) flours & sugar
The Staples – canned goods ( beans , tinned tomatoes , tuna ), pasta sauces , & jams
Dry Goods – pulses , rice , oats , cereals & pasta
The Roots - onions , garlic , potatoes , carrots & any other rooties
Condiments - vinegars , soy sauce , salad dressing & honey
The Spice Rack - thyme , cinnamon , oregano , cumin , turmeric , nutmeg , paprika , rosemary & garlic powder ( and loads more , but those are the musts !)
Out of the Fridge and into the Pantry * - eggs , butter , mustard , ketchup & cheese ( yes cheese likes the larder ) * always remember to follow storage and temperature guidelines
Standards Agency recommends you store eggs in the fridge to prevent the growth of salmonella , any good cook will tell you that eggs are better used at room temperature … Avocados - those that need ripening should be kept well away from the fridge for four to seven days …” and “ Tomatoes - fridge temperatures damage the tomato ’ s membranes , making them watery …” After those come the condiments ; salad dressing , veggies ; yes root vegetables , potatoes , carrots , and not forgetting your onions ; all of these goods have a place in the larder , where it ’ s cool but not too cool and dark . Remember to leave space for the fruit , cereals , oats , herbs , spices and believe it or not chocolate , but that ’ s just down to personal preference . You ’ ll soon figure out what works best in the pantry , and most things will often keep for longer and taste better , particularly those fresh veggies and fruit , so it ’ s a win win !
KEEPING IT IN ORDER
So you have your key components , you ’ re now onto organising them neatly into the space . Begin by grouping together the products into categories , your spreads and your sauces , your oils and your condiments for example , and then consider the practicalities , what do you use regularly ? What needs to be out of reach from little hands ? The products you use most of should be positioned in the middle , and within reach , the other not so popular products can fill the shelves above . If you have door racking , use this space for your spices , oils and tins – make a pretty display of it , or go the extra mile and pop them in alphabetical order . Make logical decisions when it comes to decanting your products ; if you ’ re someone who likes cooking and uses lots of ingredients get rid of the packaging and pop them into glass jars or tupperware , but don ’ t get to carried away , sometimes focusing too much on making a pantry picture-perfect will result in a lot of stale , inedible food . Meaghan , a stylist at Neptune comments “ Glass jars work well for things that you want to
Townhouse Dresser , The Cotswold Company
137