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Pantry Gourmet: 9 Impressive Recipes for On-Hand Ingredients

Use half-used packaged goods and long-forgotten cans to create unexpected gourmet recipes.
<p>Use whatever crackers or chips you have on hand to create the crust for a hearty (and easy-to-make!) ham and cheese quiche.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/double-cheese-ham-quiche-recipe-opr0311%22 target="_blank"><strong>Double Cheese and Ham Quiche</strong></a></p>
Tired of looking at those half-used packaged goods every time you open the pantry? Give them, and long-forgotten canned goods, gourmet appeal with the following creative recipes from Oprah. After all, it's not a bunker, it's your kitchen! Here are nine deliciously inventive recipes to help you pare down your pantry.Make more magic from your pantry with our recipes for chickpeas, rice, and beans.
1

Double Cheese and Ham Quiche

<p>Use whatever crackers or chips you have on hand to create the crust for a hearty (and easy-to-make!) ham and cheese quiche.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/double-cheese-ham-quiche-recipe-opr0311%22 target="_blank"><strong>Double Cheese and Ham Quiche</strong></a></p>

Pantry ingredient: crackers


Use whatever crackers or chips you have on hand to create the crust for a hearty (and easy-to-make!) ham and cheese quiche.


Recipe: Double Cheese and Ham Quiche

2

Zucchini and Tuna Pappardelle

<p>Canned tuna doesn't have to mean sandwiches; instead, toss it with ribbons of zucchini, pappardelle, and a lemony cream sauce.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/zucchini-tuna-pappardelle-recipe-opr0311%22 target="_blank"><strong>Zucchini and Tuna Pappardelle</strong></a></p>
Courtesy of O, The Oprah Magazine

Pantry ingredient: canned tuna


Canned tuna doesn't have to mean sandwiches; instead, toss it with ribbons of zucchini, pappardelle, and a lemony cream sauce.


Recipe: Zucchini and Tuna Pappardelle

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3

Vegetable Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream and Smoky Black Beans

Vegetable Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream and Smoky Black Beans

Pantry ingredient: canned black beans


Slow-roasted beans make a savory, crunchy topping for these vegetable tacos. And save any you have left over to be served solo as a cocktail snack.


Recipe: Vegetable Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream and Smoky Black Beans

4

Cristina's Caesar Salad

Cristina's Caesar Salad

Pantry ingredient: baguette


Got leftover baguette from last night's dinner? Turn the remains into zesty croutons for this healthful Caesar salad.


Recipe: Cristina's Caesar Salad

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5

Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Middle Eastern Tomato Sauce

Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Middle Eastern Tomato Sauce

Pantry ingredients: canned tomatoes, roasted red peppers, walnuts


Canned tomatoes, roasted red peppers, walnuts, and spices create a spicy Eastern Mediterranean sauce that perfectly complements pan-seared lamb chops.


Recipe: Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Middle Eastern Tomato Sauce

6

Savory Stuffed Rice Balls

<p>These little rice balls, stuffed with either a savory tempeh filling and rolled in toasted sesame seeds, or stuffed with a date and coated with toasted almonds, make a lovely lunchbox treat or snack and kids love them.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/savory-stuffed-rice-balls-recipe-opr0311" target="_blank"><b>Savory Stuffed Rice Balls</b></a></p>

Pantry ingredient: rice


Stuffed with either a savory tempeh filling and rolled in toasted sesame seeds, or stuffed with a date and coated with toasted almonds, these little rice balls make a lovely lunchbox treat or snack.


Recipe: Savory Stuffed Rice Balls

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7

Quinoa Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Tofu, and Ginger Vinaigrette

<p>Quinoa, a grain both high in protein and fiber, is a healthy substitute for white rice in salads, soups, and stir-fries.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/quinoa-salad-peas-tofu-ginger-vinaigrette-recipe-opr0311" target="_blank"><b>Quinoa Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Tofu, and Ginger Vinaigrette</b></a></p>

Pantry ingredient: quinoa


Quinoa, a grain both high in protein and fiber, is a healthy substitute for white rice in salads, soups, and stir-fries.


Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Tofu, and Ginger Vinaigrette

8

Baked Coconut and Lime Rice Pudding

Baked Coconut and Lime Rice Pudding

Pantry ingredient: rice


There's no need to make a special trip to the store to make a special dessert — just look to your cupboard! Rice is the foundation for coconut pudding squares, which use up any dried fruit or nuts you may have.


Recipe: Baked Coconut and Lime Rice Pudding

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9

Blackberry Pie Oatmeal

<p>Get a delicious taste of dessert any time of day once you've mastered this easy recipe for oatmeal, which evokes the sweet, summery flavor of blackberry pie.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/blackberry-pie-oatmeal-recipe-opr0311%22%3E%3Cb%3EBlackberry Pie Oatmeal</b></a></p>

Pantry ingredient: oatmeal


Get a delicious taste of dessert any time of day once you've mastered this easy recipe for oatmeal, which evokes the sweet, summery flavor of blackberry pie.


Recipe: Blackberry Pie Oatmeal

10

Spend Less, Eat Better

Cristina's Caesar Salad
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