Now Is the Best Time to Fall in Love with Your Pantry

We’ve always loved a well-stocked pantry. After all, is there a more satisfying feeling than realizing you already have all the ingredients for a recipe on hand? But a happy pantry isn’t just about preparedness. It’s also a soothing, joyful sight to behold: neat rows of jars filled with your favorite dried beans and grains, the snacks and treats that bring you comfort and happiness. Our pantries are little snapshots of how we nourish ourselves. What’s not to love about that?

If you’re like us, you’re cooking from your pantry even more these days, which means that now is an ideal time to put the spark back in your relationship. We have some suggestions.

A happy pantry has a subtle flow to it. It’s set up to make your life easier. For instance, we love a breakfast ritual—it’s a calm-before-the-storm moment of family togetherness before the day’s chaos—so we keep our favorite breakfast supplies grouped together and up front for easy access. For us, that’s the all-important coffee station, oatmeal and toppers, and a jar of Bonne Maman® INTENSE Fruit Spreads, which makes even the most harried breakfast feel more special. With more fruit and less sugar than regular preserves, it’s a delicious and healthier way to taste the homemade sweetness of summer—as a spread or as an ingredient in your favorite recipes!

You don’t need to drop cash on intricate storage systems and containers. Use what you have! Our dried seeds and spices are all in Bonne Maman INTENSE Fruit Spreads jars. They last forever, look cute, and are just the right size for spices like nutmeg and vanilla beans. Use them to organize your happy hour supplies like garnishes and herbs. We’ve even been known to use them as cute rustic cocktail glasses. Plus, the spreads are a great cocktail ingredient when you want to pack a rich fruit punch.

Pantries aren’t just for ingredients. They’re also where everyone in the house turns when their stomachs start rumbling. Make a designated snack section to satisfy everyone’s cravings. For example, keep the kids’ zone well-stocked with treats like nuts, dried fruits, and Bonne Maman INTENSE Fruit Spreads (they’re great spooned atop plain yogurt for an afternoon snack).

With a few mindful tweaks, you will fall in love with your pantry, transforming it into a place that offers endless rewards: delicious ingredients, joy, calm, and, of course, happiness!