30 / matters magazine / hearth & home 2019 I f the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the pantry is the rhythmic beat that keeps every- thing flowing. As someone who chooses to cook for both work and pleasure, I rejoice in my kitchen as a focal point, a space I’m happy to spend lots of time in. But there are days when I wish that my household hub were staffed by a robot that was programmed to supply meals, all ready and waiting, on demand. We’ve all been there. Every- day life can be wearying, espe- cially when we’re constantly on the go. Getting home at the end of a long day, only to be faced with the job of making something to eat, feels like an overwhelming chore. But what to do when hunger takes charge? Maybe it’s reasonable to order takeout and move to the couch for the eve- ning, but that’s not exactly a long-term recipe for happiness. This, my friends, is where a well-stocked pantry comes through in the clutch. At its most basic, building a pantry that works for your family is a matter of housekeeping, requiring an investment in planning and organization. It might not be realistic to cook completely from scratch every single day. But by carefully assembling a collection of everyday staples – which includes The Dinner Dilemma Revamp your pantry and get out of the mealtime rut BY KAREN TEDESCO shelf-stable goods as well as refriger- ated items – you ensure that even the simplest thrown-together dinner will have your personal touch. And that, after all, is the essence of home cooking. The best part is putting your pantry into action. Those stocked ingredients become the building blocks of a meal. With a little bit of assembly you’ll be able to put together a balanced plate that tastes delicious. Assembling a workhorse pantry does mean spending time up front, but it pays off in the long run. A pantry shelf is money in the bank, forking over periodic dividends in the form of minutes and hours of time saved. Breaking down the pantry- building process into manage- able parts makes it less daunting. Start by shopping online for things you can buy in bulk (often at a discount if you’re an Amazon Prime or Costco mem- ber) and make a list of the other items you need to pick up on your next trip to the grocery store. Once your pantry is supplied, make weekly supplemental shopping trips for perishables like fresh produce, meats, seafood and dairy products. Keep the pantry love (and home-cooked meals) going! Karen Tedesco is a recipe developer, food stylist and photographer living in Maple- wood. For seasonal recipes and more, visit her website FamilystyleFood.com.