PANTRY STAPLES

How to always have a meal to hand

Apantry equipped with staples makes it easy to whip up something quick, delicious and budget- friendly. Plus, it helps to reduce unnecessary trips to the supermarket and last- minute takeaways. By staples we don’t mean tins of spaghetti and baked beans — pantry staples are versatile and frequently used ingredients, and often the key to transforming meals. They are there for you when you find yourself scrambling to put something together for dinner or have a sudden sense of inspiration to get creative in the kitchen.

Here is a breakdown of some of the staples that we think deserve prime real estate on your shelves. Oils and vinegars Oils help to cook food, carry flavour and enable a Maillard reaction to occur — aka that delicious caramelised surface on roasted veges, grilled and fried meat. For cooking, we recommend using an oil with a high smoke point, such as coconut oil or olive oil ( butter is also a great option). We love to use a good quality extra- virgin olive oil for drizzling over finished dishes and in dressings.

Vinegar is crucial for dressings, marinades, pickling onions and other vegetables. The acidity helps to tenderise meat, enhance flavour and balance a rich dish. We stock our pantry with at least 2- 3 varieties like rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar.

Herbs and spices

Having a variety of herbs and spices means you can cook meals inspired from around the world, as different spice combinations create flavours specific to different cuisines. They can make eggplant the centrepiece for a Moroccan-inspired spread or a key player in an Indian- inspired curry.

Condiments

Condiments add flavour, sweetness, saltiness, spice and body to dishes or can be the base for a sauce or dip. Think honey, mustard, tamari, miso, olives, capers and nut butters — be sure to keep an assortment on hand.

Grains and legumes

There are many grain options available, perfect for salads, sides, stir- fries and more. Grains and legumes add sustenance, texture and flavour and can often be interchanged in recipes.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are delicious roasted and are ideal for elevating vegetables and salads, adding flavour, protein and crunch.

Pantry

Liquid and tinned goods, such as canned tomatoes, coconut milk, broths and stocks are the foundation for quick sauces, slow-cooked meals, soups and curries. Other staples like flour are always good to have on hand for dredging and crumbing, to thicken sauces and, of course, to make pancakes.