Pantry Challenge Week 4 – The Easy Week

Pantry Challenge Week 4 – The Easy Week

A cozy scene featuring a bag of tea, a steaming cup of brewed tea, a small bowl of sugar, and dehydrated pineapple slices on a wooden table.
Take a moment to unwind with a cup of freshly brewed tea, a sprinkle of sugar, and the natural sweetness of dehydrated pineapple slices. Perfect for a relaxing homestead afternoon.

Tea Time with a Tropical Twist

I’ve been drinking a lot of tea, since I wasn’t feeling well—it’s been my go-to way to stay hydrated and cozy. But here’s the fun part: I’ve been pairing it with dehydrated pineapple slices I made myself!

The Easy Week That Got Me Thinking

This past week of the pantry challenge was a quieter one, mostly because I wasn’t feeling my best. When you’re not at the top of your game, simple and comforting meals become the priority. While it was an “easy” week in terms of effort, it gave me a lot to think about, especially around the balance of food that tastes good versus food that looks good.

Keeping It Simple

Meals were straightforward, like sardines with rice and my go-to breakfast of harina de maíz (cornmeal porridge). I still have plenty of it, so it’ll likely stay on the menu until it’s gone or I need a change.

Chicken with Peach Glaze: A work in Progress

I made chicken with a peach glaze using home-canned peaches, green beans and butternut squash . This chicken was firmly in the “ugly but delicious” category, and while I loved it, it reminded me that most people eat with their eyes first. I’ll be revisiting this dish next week, but with some visual upgrades. The goal? A meal that looks as good as it tastes!

Chicken glazed with peach sauce, a creamy butternut squash puree with honey, butter, and cinnamon, and a side of canned green beans.
Tender chicken glazed with peach sauce, a luscious butternut squash puree sweetened with honey and cinnamon, and classic canned green beans for a touch of homestead charm.
A vibrant bouquet of yellow flowers in full bloom, radiating warmth and cheer.

Share Your Pantry Challenge Wins!

What are your favorite ways to dress up a simple cup of tea? And do you care more about how food looks or how it tastes? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you’ve been doing your own pantry challenge, I’d love to hear how it’s going! What creative meals have you come up with? Share your progress and tag me or use #PantryChallenge2024 so we can celebrate together.

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