simply stay at home cooking

In times when we find ourselves relying on limited ingredients to cook up our daily meals, understanding how to take full advantage of our pantries becomes very important. To get you started, take note of some of these smart tips.

How to organize your buying list

• Go for longer shelf-life ingredients. Turn to dried, canned, jarred or boxed foods, as these will last for months or years.

• Use your freezer. Under proper conditions, almost any type of food stored in there will keep safely for many months.

• Rely more on vegetables. Veggies like winter squash, potatoes and onions can last for weeks if stored correctly.

• Beans and legumes. They are long-lasting, versatile, satisfying and rich in nutrients. They can be used in salads, soups, stews and pasta dishes, among other options.

• Rice. White and brown rice can be used as a starting point for many different side and main dishes.

• Canned fish. Such as tuna or salmon. These provide a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, that are necessary for a healthy heart.

• Vegetable or nut butters. Both are great sources of healthy fats and can be used as substitutes for recipes where normal butter is required. • Canned sauces. Sweet and savory sauces like applesauce or tomato-based sauce have a long-shelf life and can be used for many different types of main dishes and desserts.

• Dried fruit and nuts. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, as well as prunes, apricots, raisins, cranberries and figs make great snacks. They are also rich in iron, fiber and antioxidants.

• Coffee. Stock up on your favorite brew to enjoy during breakfast or throughout the day. This way, you’ll miss your local coffee shop a bit less.