Well Cleveland, it's official, winter is here and for me that means time to stock up the pantry. I think we can all agree that one of the most frustrating parts about cooking is not having ingredients we need on hand and to solve that problem we must learn how to plan! Running out in the snow for that one key ingredient is so irritating and it takes away from the fun in creating that perfect meal. So I’ve come up with a list of some of the basic essentials I like to have on-hand and some planning tips that will help keep your winter meals easy and inventive.
Step 1: Plan some meals. I'm not saying you have to sit down every Sunday and decide exactly what you’ll be eating all week, but just go for a general theme. By doing this, you’ll be able to buy the fresh produce you need and avoid letting things go to waste. Also, by planning ahead you’ll begin to recognize the dry goods you use more often than others and it'll be easier to make sure you keep those items in stock.
*A helpful hint for getting your veggies to last longer is to keep them submerged in a basin of water in your fridge, you’ll be surprised to see your produce last for weeks instead of days. When buying fresh herbs, put them stem down in a cup of water or wrapped in a damp paper towel to keep them from wilting so quickly.
Step 2: Find a grocery store with a bulk bin and stock up! It's much easier to be creative and inventive with your meals when you can open the pantry and see a variety of different ingredients. The best part about cooking is enjoying the process and when you limit yourself or make it a chore, it takes the fun out of it.
Basic Pantry Items
- Pasta (try and keep a few shapes, maybe one long one small)
- Rice ( Jasmine or basmati to change things up)
- Soy or Almond Milk (when bought in box some have shelf life up to a year)
- Tofu ( silken is sold in aseptic cartons and can be stored for long periods of time and fresh tofu can be pressed and frozen for up to 6 months)
- Vegetable bouillon cubes or stock
- Dried legumes
- Quinoa
- Millet
- Lentils
- Corn Meal
- Oats
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Butter (vegan)
- Mayonnaise (vegan)
- Ketchup (without high-fructose corn syrup)
- Dijon mustard
- Mirin or soy sauce
- Olive oil
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Peanut butter
- Jam or jelly
- Salsa
- Vinegar (red wine, apple cider, white)
- Dried fruits
- Frozen vegetables (edamame, spinach , corn, peas)
- Canned vegetables (tomatoes, water chestnuts, hominy, roasted red peppers)
- Canned legumes (pinto, cannelloni, black, lima, butter,garbanzo)
- Cooking wine
- Dried Herbs (basil,bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, thyme)
- Ground Spices (pepper, cinnamon, chili powder,curry powder, ginger, paprika, red pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cumin, allspice)
Basic Fresh Produce
- Herbs (basil, parsley, thyme, ginger, cilantro,)
- Greens (kale, spinach, romaine)
- Fruits (berries, apples, oranges,bananas,tomatoes)
- Avocado
- Vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, cucumber, mushrooms, squash)
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Lemons and limes
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