My friend Joann Bruso, author of Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater and star of the What’s Cooking with Nonna podcast, offered a great post yesterday titled Gourmet Cooking From Your Pantry.
In it she gives a comprehensive list of items she keeps stocked in her kitchen. With a well-stocked pantry, Joann says, “Not only can you throw together cost-effective, last minute meals, but you’ll impress your family AND guests with delicious Pantry Gourmet Meals. Even more important: A well-stocked pantry means you can avoid the fast food stop because you’re in a rush or didn’t get to the grocery store.”
I couldn’t agree more. In Glorious One-Pot Meals, I devote an entire chapter to stocking your pantry and freezer for quick, convenient, and healthy cooking.
In an email to me, Joann also points out that stocking up with food today makes good economical sense because, between the drought, the poor harvest, and the shaky economy, we’re likely to see food prices rise soon. She says, “Right now food in a pantry is better than money in then bank.”
While Joann’s cupboards are very well stocked, I had a few other items that are staples in my house that I wanted to add to Joann’s list of pantry must-have’s. My additions include:
-Dried mushrooms
-Dry polenta
-Quinoa flakes (make a fabulous, crispy coating for fried or baked foods)
–Pomegranate molasses (mix w/mustard for a glaze on meat, or coat a log of goat cheese w/syrup and nuts for an elegant cheese plate)
-Taco shells (organic corn, of course!)
-Boxes of tofu (Extra firm and Soft)
-Enchilada sauce (I’ve even used this instead of marinara sauce for a quick pizza i a pinch!)
→ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may use affiliate links elsewhere in my site.