How many times have you come home from a long day only to find the fridge practically empty and dinner waiting to be made? The solution is a well-stocked pantry. A well-stocked pantry gives you the opportunity to create a meal on demand so planning ahead saves the day and allows you to create and eat healthier, faster and easier without relying on fast food or prepackaged meals. You just need to know what staples to have on hand and what fresh food needs to be purchased regularly.
Here are her recommendations for the perfect, well-stocked pantry:
Balsamic vinegar
Rice vinegar
Wine: red & white
Fresh garlic
Black peppercorns/peppermill
Sea salt, Kosher salt
Condensed skimmed milk
Roasted red peppers (jar)
Sun-dried tomatoes
Jalapeno peppers (fresh or can)
Fresh ginger (freezer)
Dried fruit: raisins, apricots, cranberries
Broth: chicken, beef or Vegetable
Parmalat Milk
Red pepper flakes
Dijon mustard
Low-sodium teriyaki
Low-fat mayonnaise
Capers
Olives: green & black (jar)
Lemons & limes (juice)
Bread crumbs (plain)
Salsa
Chicken sausage (freezer)
Tuna (chunk light)
Sardines
Anchovies/caviar
Alaskan Salmon (canned)
Cornichons
Beans (canned): black, red, white
Legumes: lentils (dried), chickpeas (canned)
Oils: olive for salads & saut̩ing,
peanut for frying
grapeseed for salad
sesame for garnish
Tomatoes: whole (plum), diced, crushed
Whole grains: brown rice (basmati), millet, quinoa, buckwheat, wheatberries, Kamut
Bread: Ezekiel Sprouted grain bread, multi-grain w/no added sugar
Fresh Veggies: carrots, celery, onions, parsley
Frozen Veggies: peas, spinach, broccoli florets
Nuts & Seeds: almonds (whole & slivered), pignoli (pine), walnuts, pumpkin seeds
Powdered spices: garlic, cumin, rosemary, thyme, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, curry, nutmeg, ginger, white pepper
Note: Pantry items often remain on shelves for years. Check the expiration date before using.
And there you have it.