What is a Larder?
A place where cooks go to find the staple ingredients for a meal, such as last season’s preserved items from the garden, dried beans, lentils, rice, assorted pastas, garlands of dried aromatics, and staples such as extra-virgin olive oil, vinegars, salts and baking supplies. In addition to my dry storage, I always keep a supply of homemade chicken stock and real butter in the freezer and a large hunk of Parmesan in the refrigerator. A larder doesn’t have to be a separate room, as long as the area you choose is a relatively cool, dry place, that’s all you need. Simple solutions could include a vintage armoire that you find at a flea market, an extra closet or designated spot in your basement. The idea really is to keep staples on hand that allow you to prepare a meal without the need to run to the grocery store every time you cook. If you stock your larder with the basic staples that your family enjoys, you can easily prepare a meal using the ingredients from your larder along with the
A larder is another word for pantry — essentially a cool storage place for various foods. Because larders were common in homes before refrigeration was possible, some older homes may still feature them, or at least generously sized storage closets with wonderful storage options for people who like to shop at warehouses, or who can their own foods and need a good place to keep them. Some larders adapt well to the storage of wine, since they are usually cool. However, if they’re in old homes, you should check carefully for signs of dry rot or mold, because wine corks can absorb these flavors. The origin of the word larder does not come from the word “lard,” which is congealed beef fat. Instead it is likely derivative of the word lord. A lord, sometimes spelled as lard or laird was the keeper of his home, including the food. He kept the keys to the larder and decided who had a right to be fed in his home. In actuality, housekeepers and wives, especially of true lords, usually kept the key
