I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new Culinary Contributor! Please help me welcome Heather from Golden Reflections to Simply Helping Him!
Heather is a wife and mother striving to be the Proverbs 31 woman raising a Proverbs 31 daughter! She prays that her word is fitly spoken like apples of Gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11. She enjoys blogging, photography, cooking, homemaking (including organizing and gardening), homeschooling (she is a homeschool grad also!) and tips from her professional field of Occupational Therapy. You can join her on her journey at her blog Golden Reflections Blogand also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, Instagram, Youtube, and Bloglovin’.
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Spice Pantry Organization + Free Printable & Twice Cooked Potatoes Recipe
I am a little bit of an organization junkie. Oh if only I had all the time in the world to organize my house like Pottery Barn or The Container Store, oh don’t even get me started on The Container Store!
I have a very small farmhouse kitchen. I do have a large pantry, but since I don’t have much cabinet space a lot of my large kitchen appliances ended up in there. That left no room for my actual pantry items, like spices. So I took one of the cabinets above the stove and turned it into my spice pantry. I probably have too many spices for this small space because I am always going through things and reorganizing a lot. In my last project I purchased spice jars, a white stand and bin from IKEA to help organize. This helped a great deal but I still had the issue of not remembering what I had on hand and buying extras of things I didn’t need at the store.
It was high time to make list of what I had and have it accessible so I could see it at a glance, especially when making a new recipe. I came up with a Spice and Seasoning Pantry Inventory Printable that would allow me to do this. I also needed some labels to put on the glass spice jars so I could remember what was in them.
I printed my inventory sheet out on cardstock so that it would hold up better on my cabinets. I had used regular computer paper for a previous printable I made and the edges would curl up and it ended up not looking very nice. So I suggest using the cardstock for this. I used glue dots to attach it to the back of my cabinet doors. I also cut out the circle labels and used glue dots to put them on the spice jars.
I was very happy with the result!
There are 3 columns on this printable, the first has a list of common spices and seasonings found in most kitchens. I left some empty on the second page so you can write in any as well. The next column is where you can put a check mark for the items you have, I also added how many of each I had, so most have the number “1” next to the check mark so I know I have 1 jar or container of that seasoning. The next column says “Need to purchase.” If there is a spice on the list that you don’t have and/or need just put a check mark there and next time you are making your shopping list check your pantry list and you can see what you need right away. Once you have bought it, just use some whiteout and cover over the checkmark and then place a check mark in the “In the Pantry” column. Simple enough right? I also included the spice jar circle labels I made and I included some blank ones with different colors that you can use to label things with as well.
To get your free copy of my Spice and Seasonings Pantry Inventory Printable, simply CLICK HERE to visit my printables page on my blog!
Here is a simple and easy recipe to make with some seasonings from your newly organized spice pantry!
Twice Cooked Potatoes with Dipping Sauce
Ingredients for potatoes:
- 8-10 fingerling potatoes or small red potatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter (I use Earth Balance Buttery Spread)
- 1 tsp. Herbs de Provence
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Ingredients for Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, fresh
- 2 tbsp. fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
Directions:
Wash the potatoes and place in a medium size pot and cover with water and add salt to season the water. Boil until the potatoes are tender. Drain and allow them to cool. Once cooled, smash the potatoes using a fork so that the skin breaks and the potatoes are like a pancake. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, Herbs de Provence, and red pepper flakes. In a skillet heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat. Place the potatoes in the skillet and allow to brown on first side before flipping. Once both sides have browned, take them out of the skillet and place on a plate to cool slightly. Serve with the dipping sauce and top with more flat leaf Italian parsley.
Dipping Sauce: Mix all ingredients together in a small dish and place in the fridge until serving.
I used a flat wire spatula that had a small lip on the bottom; it is called a fish spatula. Makes it easier to get under things and flip them in the skillet.
Herbs de Provence is an Italian seasoning that is a blend of lavender, fennel, savory, basil and thyme. I loved the crispiness of the potatoes and then the creamy insides. The dipping sauce also added some moister as well as a creamy tang to the potatoes. This recipe would make a great side dish to any meat dish or with grilled veggies.
I hope you enjoy it!
5 comments
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Sarah
August 31, 2013 at 8:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You must know me … organization keeps this momma heart beating strong.
Thanks bunches for splashing with us and linking up. Every Monday, I post on Momma Notes. And as always, it is a joy to have you join us. Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/05/momma-notes.html
simplyhelpinghim
September 2, 2013 at 7:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
🙂 Yes organization makes a Momma’s life easier 😉 Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
August 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Welcome! Super cute ideas!
Heather G.
August 5, 2013 at 11:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Sarah!
simplyhelpinghim
August 6, 2013 at 6:24 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The recipe looks super yummy to me! 🙂