Book excerpt: Save time, money, and mealtime with the power of your pantry! Any meal is more manageable--and more affordable--when you're well-prepared. The Essential Pantry Cookbook will show you how to stock your cupboard, fridge, and freezer with the necessary ingredients to make quick, flavorful meals, or take your fresh food cooking to the next level. This must-have pantry cookbook has more than 100 recipes and creative adaptations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus tasty desserts your family will love! The Essential Pantry Cookbook is your guide to: Stocking the basics--This budget cookbook gives you a comprehensive list of essential ingredients, along with shopping and storage tips, for everything from spices to grains to canned vegetables to frozen meats. Stretching your budget--Pantry running low? Try out simple, flexible "blueprint" recipes designed to help you make use of the ingredients you have on hand. Keeping it fresh--Along with pantry staples, this essential cookbook shares the top 15 fresh ingredients to stock for essential recipes and to kick up the flavors of your favorite dishes. Fast and fabulous meals start with a thoughtfully stocked pantry and this indispensable pantry cookbook.