Do things always go the way you planned in your kitchen? Are you prepared to face disaster head on and live to tell (and laugh) about it?

After suffering a rather humbling kitchen experience earlier this week, I was able to set aside my pride and get back to fixing supper.  At that moment it dawned on me what a frugal, fabulous thing it is to have an available Plan B.

Plan B in my kitchen consists of a variety of simple foods in my stocked pantry and freezer. Living 15 miles from the nearest groceries and fast food, a quick trip doesn’t exist.  It’s McMom’s or nothing for us!

Here are a few staples I always try to have on hand in case of a food emergency.

• flour tortillas
• black beans (I cook then freeze mine, but canned is convenient, too)
• cheese
• pasta
• spaghetti sauce
• frozen veggies
• chili beans
• potatoes
• cooked, diced chicken (again, I cook, de-bone and freeze, but the cans would be convenient)
• flour and other baking goods

I also keep my freezer stocked with locally raised beef.  From those staples I can prepare a variety of quick, healthy meals for my family, even when the meal plan doesn’t quite pan out.

• spaghetti with a veggie
• black bean quesadillas (we like to add chicken and cook them in a skillet)
• beef and bean burritos (or bean and cheese, chicken added, whatever!)
• Tex-Mex potatoes
• baked potatoes topped with veggies and cheese
• pancakes or waffles – What is it about breakfast tasting so good in the evening?

May I encourage you, if you haven’t already done so, to stock your pantry and freezer with the makings of a few tasty, healthful and frugal meals?  Keep track of what you have, and maybe even post a list of the meals you can make with what you have on hand.  McMom’s kitchen will keep your money in your pocket and your hips in your jeans!

What are your go-to Plan B meals?  Please share so we can all add to our arsenal.

When not melting her tupperware, Amy can be found cooking from scratch in her busy kitchen.  Her favorite thing to make is homemade cinnamon rolls.  Fresh from the oven, definitely one of The Finer Things in Life.

Photo, unfortunately, by Amy