A little bit of extra pasta here, a few more tins of tomatoes there, some long-life and powdered milk, a bit of extra rice… it all adds up so that if there's a flood, a storm taking out the grid, or even just a particularly stubborn traffic jam holding up deliveries, we're not all suddenly staring at our empty fridge feeling frantic. We're calm, we're collected, and we know our neighbours are too!

Let's Get Stocking 🛒

What goes into a resilient kitchen?

1. Start Small! Just grab an extra tin or two of your regular bits each time you do the weekly shop. Think tinned veggies, beans, dried pasta, rice, flour, sugar, salt, long-life milk – the absolute basics will see you through.
2. Water, Water, Everywhere! Now, this is important. A good supply of bottled water is a must. And if you're feeling extra clever, a water filter is an even  grander idea.
3. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Light! Torches, batteries, a wind-up radio.
4. First Aid Favourites! Plasters, antiseptic wipes, painkillers – all the things for those little bumps and scrapes.
5. Comfort Food is Key! Don't forget those little treats that make you smile. A few biscuits, tea bags, a tin of cocoa. In tricky times, a good cuppa can make all the difference!
6. "Can You Hear Me Now?" A fully charged power bank for your phone. Essential for keeping in touch with loved ones!

It's About Togetherness! ❤️

This isn't just about stocking shelves; it's about nurturing our communities. When we all have a little bit of extra, it frees up our energy to help each other. We can share skills – who's a dab hand at gardening? Who can fix a leaky tap? Who makes the best jam?

Imagine neighbours sharing resources, looking in on elderly folk, and helping those who can't prepare as much. Instead of desperate folk in times of trouble, we’ll have resilient neighbours and caring communities.

To Do List

1. ​Start with the basics. Always have a good supply of flour, sugar, salt, and spices. With these staples, you're never far from a delicious meal or warming treat.
2. ​Learn to love your pantry. A well-stocked pantry of canned beans, dried grains, and pasta can be the foundation for endless meals. 
3. ​Master the art of stock. Save your vegetable trimmings and meat bones to create flavourful stocks. It's a wonderful way to reduce waste and add depth to soups and stews.
4. ​Embrace hearty root vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are your best store cupboard friends. They last a long time and are incredibly versatile, forming the base of many a comforting dish.
5. ​Get a good cast-iron pot or pan. They distribute heat evenly, hold it for a long time, and can be used on a wood stove, campfire, or modern cooker. They are true kitchen workhorses!
6. ​Dehydrate for flavour and fun. Drying fruit and vegetables concentrates their flavour, turning them into a delicious, long-lasting snack.
7. ​Spice up your life! A good variety of dried spices can turn a simple meal into something exotic and exciting.
8. ​Master the one-pot meal. Chili, stew and curries are perfect for making a lot of food at once, and they always taste even better the next day!
9. ​Grow your own greens. Trays of microgreens on your windowsills provide fresh nutrients and a beautiful splash of green even on the greyest day.
10. ​Don't forget the power of beans and lentils. They’re incredibly filling, packed with protein, and are one of the most cost-effective foods you can store.
11. ​Learn to bake bread from scratch. The aroma of fresh bread baking is one of life's greatest comforts, especially if you’ve got your own sourdough starter.
12. ​Make your own seedbank. Learn to collect and save seeds so you can grow them again next year. It’s the ultimate food security.
13. ​Make your own pasta. With just flour and water, you can create a filling, satisfying meal. It’s surprisingly simple and so much fun to do.
14. ​Keep it simple, keep it tasty. Don’t overcomplicate things. A few quality ingredients, prepared with care, can taste better than a complicated recipe.
15. ​Plant a resilience garden. Focus on plants that thrive with minimal fuss, like herbs, garlic, and onions.
16. ​Make use of every part of the plant. Carrot tops can be turned into pesto, and beet greens can be cooked like spinach.
17. ​Practice your camp cooking skills. Being able to prepare a tasty meal with just a few pots and a small burner is a brilliant skill to have.
18. ​Learn to make a simple, comforting pudding. A bit of sweetness can make all the difference on a cold evening.
19. ​Embrace the humble pantry staple. Never overlook oats, which can be made into a delicious, warming porridge, or rice, which can form the basis of many good meals.
20. ​Set up a food storage system. Use airtight containers to keep things fresh and dry and keep an inventory.
21. ​Cook with loved ones. A shared meal, made with love, is the greatest comfort of all.
22. ​Above all, stay positive! Food is about joy and connection as well as sustenance. A good attitude is the best ingredient you can add to any meal.

Fun Resilience Recipes

​1. Mac & Cheese

​Ingredients: Pasta, milk, cheese (cheddar is best), a little bit of mustard.

​Method: Cook your pasta. Drain, but leave a little of the pasta water in the pot. Add a splash of milk and a handful of grated cheese. Stir over a low heat until it's melted and wonderfully gooey. Add a pinch of mustard for a little zing!

​2. One-Pan Sausage & Veggies

​Ingredients: Sausages, a few root vegetables (potatoes, carrots), an onion, and some oil.

​Method: Chop your sausages and veggies into bite-sized pieces. Toss them all in a pan with a little oil and some salt and pepper. Roast in an oven or cook over a fire until the sausages are browned and the veggies are tender and slightly crispy. A real crowd-pleaser!

​3. Simple "Anything Goes" Soup

​Ingredients: A big pot, some stock, and whatever vegetables you have on hand.

​Method: Heat your stock. Add chopped vegetables—onions, carrots, celery, leafy greens—anything goes! Simmer until everything is tender. A little bit of rice or some pasta can make it extra hearty. Perfect for using up leftovers!

​4. Warm, Spiced Apples

​Ingredients: Apples, a bit of cinnamon, and a spoonful of sugar or honey.

​Method: Core and slice an apple. Put the slices in a small pan with a splash of water, a good shake of cinnamon, and a little sugar. Simmer until the apples are soft and the kitchen smells amazing. Top with a spoonful of oats or a little yogurt.

​5. Speedy Dumplings

​Ingredients: Flour, water and a pinch of salt.

​Method: Whisk some flour and a pinch of salt with enough water to make a thick, sticky batter. Spoon little dollops of the batter into your simmering soup or stew. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes. The dumplings will puff up and cook through, making a simple, wonderfully filling addition to your meal.

6. Sunshine Rice Bowl: Get some trusty tinned sweetcorn, a handful of frozen peas and some leftover cooked rice. Sizzle it all up with a good splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of turmeric for a golden glow. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and some fresh parsley if you have it. Joy on a plate!

7. Lentil & Tomato Hug-in-a-Mug: Tinned lentils are a lifesaver! Pop them in a pot with a tin of chopped tomatoes, a little onion powder, and a generous teaspoon of mixed herbs. Let simmer until thick and luscious. 

8. Speedy Baked Bean & Kale Toastie: A classic, but with a twist. Mash up some tinned baked beans with a fork and stir in some wilted, frozen kale. Spoon it onto your toast, top with a little cheese and pop it under the grill. It's gloriously comforting and just a little bit fancy.

9. Chickpea & Spinach Curry: Drain and rinse a tin of chickpeas. Fry a little onion and garlic (from a jar is fine!) in some oil, then stir in a big spoonful of curry powder. Add the chickpeas and a handful of frozen spinach. Pour in some coconut milk from a carton and let it all bubble together. Divine!

10. Creamy Mushroom Pasta (No Cream!): Cook your pasta, and while it's bubbling, sauté some tinned mushrooms. In a separate bowl, whisk a spoonful of cornflour with some plant-based milk. Pour it over the mushrooms and stir until it thickens into a beautiful, silky sauce.

11. Tuna & White Bean Salad: Pop open a tin of tuna in spring water and a tin of cannellini beans. Mix them together with a spoonful of mayonnaise and a little chopped pickled gherkin for a wonderful crunch. Serve it on crackers or in a sandwich. So easy, so good.

12. Smoky Black Bean Soup: Tin of black beans, tin of chopped tomatoes and a little chilli powder. That's it! Whizz it up with a stick blender until it's smooth and velvety. A little glug of maple syrup or spoonful of brown sugar brings out the smoky flavour. Simply gorgeous.

13. Pantry Ratatouille: Tinned aubergine, tinned peppers and a tin of chopped tomatoes. Simmer them all together with some dried oregano and a good splash of balsamic vinegar. It's a taste of summer, no matter the weather. Wonderful on its own or with a slice of crusty bread.

14. Hearty Barley & Vegetable Stew: A handful of dried pearl barley is brilliant. Cook until tender then add some frozen mixed veg and a spoonful of vegetable bouillon powder. Let it all simmer together. It’s nourishing, substantial, and keeps you feeling full and happy.

15. Apple & Oat Crumble: Tinned apple slices are so useful. Spoon them into an ovenproof dish. For the topping, mix a handful of rolled oats with a spoonful of flour, some brown sugar, and a little melted plant-based butter or coconut oil from a jar. Sprinkle it over the top and bake until golden. A sweet treat that's easy and kind to your tummy!

16. Golden Porridge with Tinned Fruit: Cook up some oats with long-life milk then stir in some tinned, sliced peaches or pears. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a little spoonful of honey to warm your soul right up.

17. Smoky Sardine & Lemon Pasta: Sardines are packed with goodness. Sauté a bit of garlic and chilli flakes, then add a tin of sardines and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Toss with cooked pasta for a beautiful, quick meal.

18. Tinned Lentil Shepherd's Pie: Drain a couple of tins of brown lentils and mix them with a tin of mixed vegetables and some vegetable stock. Put in a dish. Now take a pouch of instant mashed potatoes, make it up, and spread it over the top. Bake in the oven until golden.

19. Three-Bean Salad: This is a fresh one, even when the ingredients are from a tin! Drain and rinse a tin of kidney beans, chickpeas, and cannellini beans. Toss with a simple vinaigrette made from oil, vinegar, and a spoonful of dried herbs. So bright and lovely.

20. Cheesy Onion & Potato Soup: Dehydrated potatoes and onions are so convenient. Rehydrate them in a pot of water with some stock cubes. Once tender, stir in a spoonful of instant cheese powder. So simple and so satisfying.

21. Spicy Peanut Noodle Bowl: Boil up some dried noodles. While they cook, whisk together some peanut butter with a splash of soy sauce and a little hot water. Toss it all together with a handful of crushed peanuts and some dried coriander. Nutty and delicious!

22. Tinned Fish Cakes: Mash a tin of salmon or mackerel with a little flour and some dried dill. Form into patties and shallow fry until golden and crispy on the outside. Serve with a little squeeze of lemon juice for a filling treat!

23. Oven-Baked "Jacket" Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes keep for a good long while! Prick them with a fork, rub with a little oil, and bake. While they're in the oven, mash up some tinned black beans with a little salt and chilli powder. Top the baked potatoes with the bean mash and a spoonful of salsa.

24. Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding: Cook up some long-grain rice with long-life milk. When it's nearly done, stir in a tin of apple pie filling or chopped tinned apples, along with a good dash of cinnamon. Add a little spoonful of sugar or maple syrup.

Top 10 Resilient Pantry Items:

1. Water: Nothing is more important. Just in case of contaminated drinking water supplies due to a flood. Aim for a supply of chlorine tablets or be able to boil at least one gallon per person daily. 
2. Dried Beans and Lentils: The powerhouse proteins - lasting for years and incredibly versatile. You can make soups, stews, or even a nice salad with some other ingredients.
3. White Rice: A perfect companion for beans - and it stores for a very, very long time - a high-calorie staple that will keep your energy levels up.
4. Oats: For breakfast, for baking and stews. A great source of fibre and energy that keeps for ages.
5. Honey and Salt: Essential for flavour and preservation. Honey keeps indefinitely and salt is a critical mineral and a historic preservative for all kinds of foods.
6. Canned Meat and Fish: Tuna, salmon, and chicken provide essential protein and fats and are ready to eat right from the can—no cooking needed if you can't.
7. Canned Fruits and Vegetables: Don't forget your vitamins and minerals. Tinned fruits and vegetables will give you the nutrients you need for those times when fresh produce is unavailable. Look for ones packed in water or juice, not syrup or lots of salt.
8. Nut Butters: Peanut butter is high in protein and fat - a concentrated source of calories that's easy to store and eat.
9. Powdered Milk: A wonderful source of calcium and a fantastic way to make porridge or a cup of tea if fresh milk is scarce. It's light and lasts for a long time.
10. Pasta: Another brilliant high-carb food that will store well.