Store cupboard essentials

SHOPPING LIST AND ESSENTIAL BITS

This is a list of some of the most prized possessions in our presses. These are the things we literally cannot live without, and we feel like we could make anything with them when the shelves are fully stocked. Even on the day before we do the shopping, when there’s only a carrot and a packet of ham in the fridge, we’ll always find something from these essentials that will make a great meal.

TINNED BITS

– Tomatoes – Baked beans – Spaghetti

hoops – Mushy peas – Chickpeas – Kidney beans – Sweetcorn – Light coconut milk – Mustard powder – Tinned soup (handy to make sauces from or jazz up for a meal)

BOTTLES AND JARS

– Passata

– Soy sauce

– Hot sauce – Buffalo hot sauce – Worcestershire

sauce

– Black bean concentrate – Dijon mustard – Low-fat vinaigrette – Light

Caesar dressing – Lighter-than-light mayo – Peanut butter

STOCK CUBES

An everyday essential and the base for most of our sauces and soups. We prefer stock pots, but cubes are just as good. – Vegetable – Beef – Chicken

– Herb

DRIED BITS

– Pasta

– Rice – Vermicelli noodles

– Egg noodles – Sesame seeds (for garnishing) – Instant mashed potato – Panko breadcrumbs

HERBS AND SPICES

These are the main herbs and spices we use in nearly all of our dishes. We can literally make anything with

these bad boys:

– Lemon pepper – Smoked paprika – Paprika – Garlic powder – Ground ginger – Chilli powder – Mixed herbs

– Sage

– Cumin

– Cinnamon

– Curry powder

– Five spice

– Thai 7 spice

– Southern fried chicken seasoning

– Sea salt

– Black pepper

BREAD AND WRAPS

– Wholemeal burger buns

– High-fibre wholemeal bread – Wholemeal pitta breads – Wholemeal wraps

OTHER BITS

– Low-calorie spray oil (I use rapeseed two-calorie spray) – Porridge oats – Baking powder – Cornflour

– Cocoa powder

– Vanilla essence

– Vinegar

– Zero-calorie syrups – Zero-sugar cola – Zero-sugar orange – Zero-sugar cordial