The difference between a stressful weeknight and an easy one often comes down to what is already in the cupboard. A well-stocked pantry means you can pull together a decent meal without a special trip to the supermarket. Here are five staples worth keeping on hand.
1. Tinned tomatoes
Tinned tomatoes are the foundation of countless quick meals. Simmer them with garlic and olive oil for a basic pasta sauce, add them to a curry, or use them as the base of a hearty soup. Keep a few tins in the cupboard at all times.
2. Dried pasta and rice
Both keep for months and cook in under twenty minutes. Pasta pairs with almost anything, while rice works as a side for stir-fries, curries and grilled vegetables. Consider keeping a couple of shapes of pasta and at least one type of rice.
3. Tinned legumes
Chickpeas, lentils and beans add protein and bulk to a meal with almost no effort. Toss chickpeas into a salad, stir lentils into a soup or mash beans into a quick wrap filling. Rinse them before use to reduce excess salt.
4. Stock
A good stock, whether in cubes, powder or cartons, adds depth of flavour to soups, risottos and sauces. It turns a handful of basic ingredients into something that tastes like it took much longer to make.
5. Spices and condiments
A small collection of spices, such as cumin, paprika, chilli flakes and dried herbs, lets you change the character of a dish in seconds. Add soy sauce, mustard and a good vinegar, and you have the tools to make simple ingredients taste interesting.
With these five staples and a few fresh vegetables, dinner becomes a matter of combining what you already have rather than starting from scratch.
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