From the Pantry Shelf
Some weeks you cook with a plan.
Other weeks you stand in front of the cupboard and wait for it to speak first.
That’s when the pantry does its best work — when yesterday’s rice, a forgotten tin, and something wrapped “for later” quietly agree to become supper. No recipes pulled up. No shopping required. Just using what’s there.
This Week’s Recipe: Pantry Lentil Stew
Lentils were the quiet workhorses of the pantry.
They filled bellies, stretched meals, and waited patiently for their turn.
This stew is simple, steady, and forgiving — the kind of pot that doesn’t mind if you wander off while it simmers.
Ingredients
1 cup dried lentils
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
4 cups water or broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the lentils and set aside.
In a pot, combine lentils, onion, carrots, tomatoes, water, and thyme.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
Cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring when you remember.
Season with salt and pepper once the lentils are tender.
Serve hot, preferably with bread meant for dipping.
Pantry Tip:
If the stew thickens overnight, it hasn’t failed — it’s improved.
Kitchen Story: The Pot That Lived on the Stove
Every kitchen had one pot that never quite made it back into the cupboard.
It lived on the stove because it was always “in use” — or about to be.
Soups, stews, reheated leftovers, and sometimes just hot water for tea. It was trusted. It knew the routine. And it was never empty for long.
Try Kitchen Companion
Kitchen Companion helps you turn what’s already in your pantry into practical, comforting meals without overthinking it. It’s built for cooks who make do, stretch ingredients, and trust their shelves.
👉 Generate your own recipes: https://capebretoncompanion.lovable.app/
Community Corner
A reader from Mabou writes:
“My grandmother said lentils were ‘poor food,’ but she served them with pride. No one ever left hungry.”
There’s room at the table for stories like that — and always room for one more.
Shop - From Our Kitchen to Yours
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