6 Snow-Day Recipes from the Pantry
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Pizza delivery is a pipe dream for anyone snowed-in, and it may be a few days before many can get to the store for fresh provisions. Fortunately, you don’t have to subsist on frostbitten leftovers from who knows when. Food Network Kitchen worked up these six comforting recipes made exclusively with nonperishable pantry ingredients. At first the rules seemed daunting — no fresh produce, no dairy, no fresh herbs, not even a squeeze of lemon! — but these recipes turned out so delicious that your family will never know. Plus, they make fun and easy cooking projects to keep cooped-up kids and adults occupied.
If you're snowed in, or just way too tired for a trip to the store on a busy weeknight, this comforting pasta (pictured above) is perfect. Think beef stroganoff meets chicken paprikash (without the meat). The sauce is uber-creamy without the help of cream. Instead, the combo of evaporated milk, flour and mustard does the trick.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
There's always one can of pumpkin puree still kicking around after Thanksgiving. Put it to use in this ultra-flavorful soup. We use traditional cooking techniques (part mole, part curry) by making a paste with common pantry staples and frying it in oil to create a deep layer of flavor. If you don't have wild rice, just use 1/2 cup of any dry grain you have on hand.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
You have no eggs or milk of any kind, and your pantry is bare, so baking is out of the question, right? Wrong! These clever muffins use cornstarch instead of eggs and canned-fruit syrup in place of milk. Use whatever nut or dried fruit you have on hand and canned peaches if you don't have pears.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
We took a cue from one of our favorite Mexican brunch dishes, chilaquiles (fried tortilla chips tossed with a red or green sauce), to create this easy no-shop recipe. The chili powder in the sauce has two jobs: one as flavor booster and the other as thickener.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Chances are you have all of these ingredients in your pantry, so get ready for your new favorite sweet-and-salty snack. Inspired by the classic kids' party treat, this combo of semisweet chocolate, salty peanut butter and toasty corn chips is completely addictive. And it keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature (though there might not be any left to store).
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Even if your pantry is close to bare, you probably have the fixins for these super-simple and special flatbreads. The combo of sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar gives the bean spread a tangy earthiness that goes great with the tuna-and-olive salad. It's a perfect big snack or small meal.