Having the basic essentials on hand can make meal planning, spontaneous cookie making, even gift giving a lot easier. The thing is, each of us has preferences, and my essentials might not be yours. Below is a list of the basic Pantry essentials, plus I’ve added a list for the fridge and freezer.

Obviously, it would cost a small fortune to buy everything you need. Here are some tips:

• Stock up during the sales.
• Rotate your stock with oldest items up front.
• Add something new to your inventory with each shopping trip.

Soon you will have a well-stocked, and fully functioning pantry.

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One of my favorite meals includes pork chops because they are so full of flavor. However, they can be difficult to cook if you have never cooked pork chops before.

Tips for the Best Pork Chops:

1. Prepare Ahead
Decide ahead of time what you’ll be adding to your chops and how you’ll be cooking them. If you plan to fry them in oil or wine, make sure you have enough time to cook them 2 or 3 at a time. The size will also depend on how much time you’ll need. Give yourself at least an hour.

2. Cook Slow
The main thing you’ll want to keep in mind regardless of what you add is they need to be cooked slow. Cooking pork chops too fast will leave them burnt on the outside and pink in the middle. If you are cooking it in a pan, don’t cook higher than medium heat.

3. Add Additional Ingredients Last
When you add ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, be sure to add them last. Since you’ll be cooking slow, you want to make sure the meat is fully cooked before adding ingredients that don’t need to be cooked that well.

Feel free to get creative with your pork chops, and try out different ingredients following the tips above!

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About the Author: Kara Kelso is the mother of two, and owner of several websites. For more pork chop recipes and tips, visit:
http://www.idea-queen.com/pork-chops.html

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Love the smell of a pot roast in the oven? I know most do, and pot roasts make a great meal for the entire family.

The next time you make a roast, here are a few quick tips to make sure you get the most out of your time, and make a delicious roast.

1. Use the Oven
   I know many absolutely love their crockpots, and use it for lots of different dishes. It’s a wonderful idea for slow cooked meals that don’t require a lot of time from you. However, to get the most meals out of your roast I recommend using a large roaster in the oven. This way you’ll have room for more vegetables and can cook additional items along side (like bread).
2. Allow Time
   For the best roast, you’ll want to cook it slow. Allow at least 4-5 hours to cook your roast, checking it often. While a roast requires little attention, you will still need to check on it often.
3. Make Too Much
   Don’t just plan for that night’s meal – make as much as you can! Roasts, potatoes, and other veggies make wonderful leftovers. You’ll save time and energy this was as well, since you can get several meals out of just cooking once. Pick the largest roast you can find at the store to make sure you’ll have plenty of meals.

A simple pot roast is one of the best home cooked meals out there. The next time you have time, make a roast that’s not only healthy, but one the whole family will love!