When the kids come home for the break and the out-of-town relatives roll in, hangry is the last thing you want to offer your guests. Here are tips and tricks from Ambrosian Pantry, the eclectic market in Cherry Creek, on how to keep the family fed when snacking hour strikes.
Keep backups of the basics
Your pantry is your home’s engine. Running out of sea salt mid-meal isn’t just inconvenient—it breaks your rhythm. Keep a backup of essentials like pasta (opt for the not-so-basic Marella Rainbow Bowtie Pasta), rice, beans, and olive oil so your creativity never stalls. When you use one up, add another to your list. Simplicity and consistency are the building blocks of great home cooking.
Take inventory before you shop
See what’s hiding behind the Casa Marrazzo San Marzano Tomatoes or tucked under the Espinaler Ventresca Tuna Belly. Clearing space helps you rediscover forgotten favorites and keeps your pantry balanced between abundance and intention.
Rotate with the seasons
In the summer, stock lighter sauces, olive tapenades, and bright teas, like the fruity Mariage Frères Marco Polo Tea. As the days cool, bring in heartier soups and warming spices. A particular wintertime favorite: dried Wine Forest Dried Morel Mushrooms that rehydrate into deeply earthy mushrooms ideal for sauces or risottos. Rotation keeps ingredients fresh, reduces waste, and lets your cooking stay connected to the moment rather than stuck in a single season.
Embrace global flavors
The world’s pantry fits on one shelf if you choose wisely. Tuscany’s Antonio Mattei Biscotti di Prato, Spain’s Mercado Famous Jamón 100% Iberico, Colombia’s single-origin Devoción Toro Coffee, or BUBS Swedish Candy can unlock a world of creativity. Think of your pantry as a passport: each item is a stamp that expands your palate and your imagination, or lets you return to a beloved travel memory.
Have a grab-and-go zone
Life moves quickly. Dedicate one shelf or basket to snacks that make spontaneous moments easier, like artisan crackers and Güeyu Mar tinned fish. Whether you’re hosting friends for happy hour or heading out on a mountain picnic, a well-curated selection of prepared foods turns everyday occasions into something a little special.
Keep a hospitality shelf
Reserve a small corner of your pantry for spontaneous generosity and last-minute hostess gifts. Stock it with a non-alcoholic aperitif like St. Agrestis Phony Negroni, a few bars of Friis-Holm 55% Dark Milk Chocolate, a couple bags of Fev’co Hazelnut Dragees, or jars of the bestselling Il Colle Del Gusto Pistacchiosa. With a setup like this, showing up empty-handed is never an option—and thoughtfulness becomes second nature.
Stock your signature drink ingredients
A great drink—be it an herbal tea, mocktail, or bright citrus spritz—sets the tone for hospitality. Keep your favorite mixers, syrups, and garnishes on hand so you can whip up your go-to anytime. Ambrosian Pantry doesn’t stock alcohol, but it’s full of perfect pairings, from elegant syrups to non-alcoholic options like Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Co.’s Lysegrøn, a sparkling green tea with citrus, lemongrass, and apple notes. And if you do pour the occasional spirit, keep a good bottle nearby—and open it when friends stop in. Guests will forget the overpriced bar tab you picked up, but they’ll talk for ages about the equivalent pour of your finest bottle that you opened so warmly for them in your den.
Invest in quality, not quantity
A well-curated pantry isn’t about how much you have—it’s about how good it is. One world-class olive oil, like Viola Nuovo Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, can do more than three average bottles. Fewer, better ingredients simplify cooking and elevate every bite. Just like in fashion, where sprezzatura makes the difficult look effortless, a single standout ingredient can transform an entire dish.
Support producers with purpose
Behind every great product is a person or family who made it with care. Stock items that honor heritage and craftsmanship. When you fill your shelves with mindful makers, you are not just feeding yourself; you are sustaining culture. Our product webpages for Burlap & Barrel’s spices and Caputo’s Wild Jurua Chocolate are filled with the stories of the producers, bringing those narratives into your home and sparking conversation at the table.
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