Ever wonder what your pantry says about your cooking skills? Well, if you thought no one was looking... you are dead wrong! Based on discussions between foodies, here are 12 pantry staples they say indicate you should probably just order takeout instead.
Ketchup
While ketchup has its place as a condiment, relying too heavily on it for flavor can indicate that you might need to take a cooking class. More experienced home cooks might bring out a bottle if they're serving hot dogs - but they generally won't use it to season their dishes. I have to say one exception is BBQ sauce, though! I find the easiest way to make it is to just mix together ketchup, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce. You're welcome!
Microwave Rice
Microwave rice can be convenient, but it is not at all as good as rice cooked from scratch. Skilled cooks opt for traditional methods for a superior result, and might even use a rice cooker. Believe me, that appliance is a game changer!
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Instant mashed potatoes are a quick fix, but they can't replicate the creamy and flavorful consistency of homemade mashed potatoes. I have a har time seeing a serious foodie serving mashed potatoes for dinner - even if I do find they have a place in the emergency pantry.
Canned Chicken
Canned chicken can be a time-saver, but any experienced cook will favor fresh or frozen chicken for its superior taste and versatility. Like many other foods on this list, canned chicken might be great to store in case of emergencies, but it should only be used in emergencies. And no, an impromptu Tuesday night dinner party does not constitute enough of an emergency!
Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper can be a convenient meal solution, but you might want to hide it if you have serious foodies coming over. I know, I use shortcuts as well - I just don't tell my guests about it!
Manwich
Manwich is a canned sloppy joe sauce, and one serious foodies often do not approve of. They prefer to craft their own sauces and seasonings and cook from scratch instead of a can, and they expect you to do the same. Of course it can be good to have on hand in an emergency, but you might want to hide it far in the back of your pantry - or just keep it in your bug out bag for emergencies.
Takeaway Menus
Relying heavily on takeaway menus suggests you might not cook that much - especially if they take the place of the ingredients. So if you're over for dinner at someone's house and the pantry is just full of menus - you're probably better off suggesting that you actually order from them.
Instant Grits
True grits enthusiasts will choose stone-ground, slow-cooked grits for their superior texture and flavor, while less experienced home cooks might opt for the instant version. It's an easy shortcut for sure, but the lack of flavor means you might as well cook something else instead.
Dr Pepper Flavored Beans
One foodie says "My mom has had a can of Dr. Pepper flavored beans in the cabinet for about 6 months, so I'd have to go with that." Sometimes, unusual flavor combinations don't quite hit the mark... Another foodie confirms this by saying that they bought these beans as more of a novelty than a pantry staple, and, not so surprisingly, they turned out to be decidedly underwhelming.
Expired Spices
Keeping expired spices can lead to dishes that lack those same flavors, since spices actually do go bad - or at least, the flavor diminishes. A well-seasoned cook knows the importance of keeping their spice collection current. Some forum users recall finding spices in their parents' kitchen from before they were married, and that might definitely be a clue to their culinary skill... or rather lack thereof.
Canned Parmesan
While convenient, canned Parmesan doesn't even come close to the rich and nuanced flavor of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A lot of foodies say only beginner cooks would use this, with experienced foodies opting for the real deal. However, I find it does work even better for some - very specific - applications: on top of garlic bread and hasselback potatoes being two of them.
Clothes
If you're someone who, like Carrie Bradshaw of TV fame, uses their kitchen to store clothes and shoes, well we're pretty sure you might not even know how to boil water. But hey, at least you can say you're "just like Carrie", right?
Source: Reddit.
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