I don’t need all and sundry in my pantry. Moreover, I don’t have the space or the finance to stockpile unnecessary items. The fact is that the cost of groceries have increased tremendously in the last few years. As a result, it’s imperative that I try to purchase necessities when I shop for groceries.
Some of the non-perishables I like to have on hand are:
Canned Goods:
- Fish – I love to stock fish such as sardines, salmon, tuna and mackerel. And because I reside in a hurricane locale, I seem to always have these go-to canned fish at my disposal. I’ve no problem utilizing them at breakfast, lunch and dinner (BLD).
- Beans – Whenever I’m strapped for precious time or I’m out of dried beans (package)I like to know that I have a few canned beans like pinto, red, lima, red, garbanzo (chickpeas), etc on hand. Canned beans are excellent substitutes. Just like their dried counterparts, they are loaded with protein, fiber and other beneficial nutrients.
- Tomatoes – I love fresh and wholesome tomatoes. However, in conjunction, I like to stock canned tomatoes in the form of pureed, diced, and whole-skinned. I incorporate them in soups, sauces, and stews.
Pasta:
Who knows? I swear I may have a wee bit of Italian blood in my veins. I love pasta. My pantry is never without this carbohydrate. Without a doubt, it is a staple in my kitchen. I do try to stock the whole grain version as it does not spike my glucose level in my body. At any given week or day, my pantry may have one or two of: linguine, spaghetti, egg noodles or rigatoni.
Oils:
I keep my oils in the darkest section of the pantry. I try to stock canola for frying, olive for a quick stir-fry/sautay, and salads. I also love the exotic flavors of coconut oil in my dishes; thus, I love to have a bottle on hand.
Vinegar:
Some of the vinegars I like to have in my pantry are:
- Balsamic – for a quick reduction so as to drizzle on salad or roasted veggies.
- Red wine – to add to a tasty home-made dressing.
- Distilled/Apple Cider- for pickles, etc.
I also try to stock these in a cool and dark area in the pantry.
Spices:
Some of the spices I like to have on hand are: dried basil, oregano, cumin, curry powder, all spice(pimento), nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and of course sea salt and pepper.
Dried goods:
Flour – wholewheat flour and all-purpose
Rice – wholegrain and Jasmine
Sugar – dark and granulated
Teabags
Cornmeal – excellent for a tasty turned cornmeal or polenta
Cereal – Oats, grits, cheerios
Having these basic supplies in my pantry give me great peace of mind. I know that I can pop in my kitchen and incorporate fresh and wholesome ingredients and food products and make me mouthwatering dishes.