Having a properly stocked pantry is the key to success in order not to fall into the “chaos of improvisation”.
Because a pantry whose main ingredient is “emptiness” is as ineffective as one that is so overcrowded that knowing what is in it or is not outdated is an impossible mission.
But let’s now have a look at the 7 magnificent of your pantry.
1. Vegetables
Fresh is the best option and should be the basis of our daily diet. Their disadvantage is that they are highly perishable and to store them the only option is to have them preserved. In this case, remember to read the label carefully to avoid coming across undesirable ingredients, both at the level of flavor enhancers, such as sulfites or even sugar.
Dehydrated mushrooms in this category are an excellent solution because they are a very quick resource and will give a spectacular touch to any risotto, pasta, or salad. Dry tomatoes or in oil (with them you will be able to show off with a delicious tomato sauce in 5 minutes and without lighting a fire). Dehydrated onions as toppings in salads or vegetable creams are also amazing.
Garlic for its easy preservation and its properties is a superfood that cannot be missing in our pantry.
2. Fruits
Fresh and seasonal fruit is another mainstay of our diet and our pantry. Remember, it is better to eat them whole than in juice and seasonal since with it you guarantee that they will be in his better moment plus for sure cheaper.
As with vegetables, its disadvantage is storage and conservation. Dehydrated fruits are excellent candidates to occupy part of your pantry you can use them as a topping or as healthy snacks between meals.
The best-dehydrated fruits are the “homemade” ones. If you choose the commercial versions, READ the label because it is common to find added sugars among the ingredients of this type of product.
TIP: Ripe bananas or pineapple that you are not going to eat immediately can be frozen in small pieces and can be used as a base for delicious smoothies or frozen dessert.
3. Legumes
We consider them to be the all-round ingredient, an indisputable source of protein, fiber, iron, and vitamins. An incredible variety within each class: chickpeas, lentils (red, black, green,…), beans (white, red, pints, adzuki, pea beans),…
We can store them dry, or canned (preferably in glass jars and especially, again, read the label! No sulfites or E-202!).
TIP: This “Pantry Hero” usually needs a soaking time. You can freeze them once soaked and so in case of emergency you have them ready.
Remember that you can eat them in form of cream with vegetables, salad, vegan pate, hummus, hamburgers,…
4. Spices and aromatic herbs
They aromatize, preserve, give color, and highlight the flavor of the dishes, in the dry or in the fresh version they are the JOY of the pantry.
They are easily preserved and stored in their dry version and in their fresh version, they’ll also add some fresh life in your kitchen. With these tiny treasures, we can travel around the world without moving.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are another indispensable items in our pantry and great allies for our health due to their content in vitamins, minerals, and omega-3. Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, chia, hemp, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds… and many more!
In airtight containers and in fresh and dry places they are perfectly preserved for a long time. You can use them as a base to prepare vegan milk, sweets, creams, sauces, they add the perfect crunchy touch in salad and creams.
6. Vegetable Fats and Oils
Nature offers us a wide range of vegetable oils for cooking, but for what we are concerned here in the pantry, as indisputable indispensable not to miss, we find our liquid gold: virgin olive oil.
TIP: Much better if cold-pressed!
7. Cereals
They are undoubtedly the kings of the pantry, as they can solve the main dish of any menu. We can store them in grains, in the form of pasta or flour, preferably in their integral version. In this group, the rice wins the prize for its versatility and diversity (round, long, thai, basmati, red, black …). Here we would also include Quinoa, a pseudo-cereal which has been catapulted to nutritional success because it contains all the essential amino acids.
TIP: in case of emergency know that ice noodles are made in 4 minutes and look/taste great with any side dish!