Pantry storage for singles: simple, sustainable and delicious
Kira Zabe
September 16, 2024
Stockpiling or prepping is very much in vogue. Even the Federal Office of Civil Protection now recommends that people stock up for around 10 days. However, this can be a real challenge, especially for singles, as most pack sizes are designed for couples or families, which is not a bad thing for stockpiling - but it is for consumption. There is also the problem of space, as most singles will not have the storage facilities that a family with a house has, for example.
Nevertheless, keeping stocks is not impossible, even for single people. But how do you start? And what belongs in a single person's pantry that should be both practical and inspiring?
The storage cupboard: a small universe full of possibilities
The heart of any pantry, whether for singles, couples or families, is the larder. The following list is just a good starting point and not something you have to stick to slavishly. Your pantry should always reflect your individual preferences. There's no point in storing five packs of rice, for example, if you don't eat it at all. It will probably take some time to put together the perfect stock for you, but we're not aiming for perfection here. Always keep in mind: a little stockpile is always better than no stockpile at all. Feel free to experiment and adapt.
Staple foods:
Grains and pseudocereals: quinoa, rice, couscous, bulgur and of course pasta - choose whole grain varieties for an extra nutritional kick.
Pulses: Lentils, chickpeas and beans (dried or canned) are nutritious, versatile and have a long shelf life.
Nuts and seeds: Perfect as a quick snack between meals, as a topping or ingredient in many dishes.
-Spices and herbs: They are the magicians in your kitchen. A well-stocked spice rack can really make a difference. Also stocks, sauce cubes and the like.
Preserves and jars:
Tomato products: Strained tomatoes, tomato paste and whole peeled tomatoes can serve as a base for numerous dishes.
Pickled vegetables: Cucumbers, olives, artichokes and more offer quick flavor kicks and enrich salads and hot dishes. However, pickled vegetables are not for everyone. If you don't like them, it's no problem if they don't make it into your pantry.
Pickled fruit: For desserts, as a topping for breakfast porridge or simply as a snack between meals. Of course, the same applies here as for pickled vegetables, if you simply can't stand pickled fruit.
Miscellaneous:
Vinegar and oil - vinegar in particular has an eternal shelf life if left unopened
Sweeteners: honey, maple syrup or agave syrup. This also includes sugar and sweeteners such as erythritol. These should be stored in an airtight container if possible, as both can absorb water and then clump together.
Sometimes less is simply more: meaningful pantry management
It is, of course, extremely tempting to jump at every offer in order to replenish your stock as quickly as possible. This makes perfect sense when you're just starting to stock up. But it doesn't make sense if you have to throw the food away after a while because it starts to spoil. Of course, there is a solution to this too. The magic word (or rather the magic words) is “active stockpiling”. When you stock up, use up the food that is about to expire first. You can use the pantry app to monitor when this is the case. Then simply buy more of the product.
Practical tips for everyday life
- Plan your meals: This may sound like a lot of work and completely overwhelming at first, at least that's how it was for me. I then started to take a step-by-step approach and first planned my meals for two days in advance and then went shopping accordingly. I also got into the habit of always taking an extra packet of pasta or oatmeal, for example.
2. First in, first out: actually quite logical. Use up what you bought first. It is best to record the food in the pantry app immediately after shopping.
3. Preserving jars: I personally love preserving jars. I use them for multiple purposes. As drinking glasses, as pen storage and for storing dry food. I have also converted some of them into lanterns.
4. Creativity is required: I have to admit that I hate having to throw food away, which is why we make sure we only buy what we really like when we go shopping. If, contrary to expectations, there is food that urgently needs to be used up, we try to get creative with the recipes so that we can use up as much as possible before it has to go in the garbage can.
Finally, one more recipe
Quick lentil and tomato soup
1 cup of red lentils
1 tin of peeled tomatoes
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
vegetable stock
spices: Cumin, paprika powder, salt, pepper
Optional: a dash of coconut milk for extra creaminess
Sauté the onion and garlic in a pan with a little oil. Add the lentils, tomatoes and stock. Season with spices and simmer for about 20 minutes. You can puree the soup for a smoother consistency. Done!
Download our Smantry.App now to optimise your storage even in a single household. This is your helper if you don't want to throw food away and if you want to keep an overview about everything you have in your pantry!
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!
Sharing supplies together – why the Shared Economy is now moving into the kitchen
The concept of Shared Economy has long been more than a short-term trend – it's changing our everyday lives. More and more neighborhoods, shared apartments, and community projects are discovering how practical it is to organize groceries together and manage supplies transparently.
Why sharing supplies is becoming increasingly popular
- Save on costs: Bulk purchases become cheaper when more people participate.
- Save space: Not everyone needs their own package of rice or pasta.
- Better organization: Digital tools make it easy to see what is available.
- Experiencing community: Food brings people together – as does camping together.
From the flatshare to the neighborhood
Especially in shared apartments or families with multiple households it pays off to keep a communal stock of supplies. But neighborhood projects or small communities are also recognizing the added value: shopping, storing, and using together.
How Smantry helps
This is where Smantry comes into play:
- Community Feature: Supplies can be managed collectively.
- Transparency: Everyone can see which items are available.
- Efficiency: Duplicate purchases are avoided, leftovers are used up in time.
- Flexibility: Soon it will become even easier to manage entire communities (including new features such as categories or the option to completely delete communities).
👉 The shared economy doesn't stop with cars – it moves right into your kitchen. With Smantry sharing supplies becomes easier than ever.
At last, it's here: The categorization of articles 🎉
Over the past few months, we have collected numerous feedback from you – and the request for better organization of supplies was one of the most frequent wishes. Soon, it will be possible to sort your items into individual categories, so that you can keep track of everything even more quickly.
Why categories are so practical
- 🥦 More organization in your pantry: Instead of a long list, you can structure your products into categories such as "Vegetables", "Beverages", or "Household Goods".
- ⏱️ Faster Finding: No more long scrolling – jump straight to the right category.
- 👨👩👧👦 Improved collaboration: In communities or family households, everyone can immediately see where things belong.
- 🌍 Customization: You can create your own categories that suit your needs – whether for meal prep, stockpiling, or just your everyday life.
Your wish will become reality ✨
We know how important this feature is to you. That's why our development team has implemented categorization as a high priority. It will soon be available step by step in the app – fulfilling one of the biggest wishes of our community.
We are thrilled that we can make everyday life even easier for you with this. Stay tuned – as always, we will keep you updated on when the feature will be officially released.
👉 Do you already have ideas on how you want to structure your categories? Feel free to send us your suggestions or requests – your input might directly influence the ongoing development.