What We're Eating This Week:

Pantry Challenge Week!

This week I'm challenging myself to prepare meals using things I already have in the fridge or the pantry. Of course, my pantry is huge. (It used to be a full bathroom with a tub and everything but the previous owners took it out and turned the room into a pantry.) I have more stuff in my pantry than a small store so it shouldn't be *too* hard. I also have plenty of peppers, tomatoes and fresh herbs in the garden and way too much stuff in the freezer.

I'm really trying to use up some of the stuff in my pantry because this fall I'm hoping to tear out the existing shelves and redesign a much more functional storage space. At the moment I have *way* too much stuff in there to even begin to think about starting the project.

I am looking for some good storage ideas to incorporate in my plan. Anyone have any ideas? The space is used to store food, small appliances (and yes, I have way too many of those too!), cookware and serving pieces, pet foods, school supplies, recycling ... You get the idea. How can I use this space to it's full advantage? Can you recommend what works for you? Something you've seen in a magazine? Links to websites or blogs? Ideas. I need ideas! :-)

Sunday: Last weekend of summer weather: play it by ear! Picnic in the park? Cook out on the grill? Chicken, one way or another!

Monday: Baked Rigatoni Pasta with Homemade Garlic and Basil Marinara, warm breadsticks and salad

Tuesday: Chorizo and Shrimp Gumbo, rice, Tomato, Onion and Cucumber Salad

Wednesday: Mini Farfalle Chipotle Chicken Pasta in Fire Roasted Tomato Cream Sauce, breadsticks, salad

Thursday: Ginger, Scallion and Garlic Shrimp, rice

Friday: Chipotle Chicken, Black Bean and Corn Mini Quesadillas, tortilla soup

Saturday: It's Jake's Birthday! Gotta be Pizza Night!