Stock the pantry with basic essentials for quick and healthy weeknight meals.
By Laurel Kallenbach
When Old Mother Hubbard saw that her cupboard was bare, she didn’t have the option of calling for carry out. In a fortunate way, she was lucky. She didn’t get caught in an endless cycle of pizza delivery and frozen dinners. Fortunately, if your kitchen is well stocked with basic ingredients, you can make a home-cooked meal in less time than it takes to call out for pizza.
“Stocking your pantry is the best way I know to eat healthier,” says Robin Robertson, author of ten cookbooks including Vegan Planet (Harvard Common Press, 2003). “When there’s nothing in the house, you’re more tempted to eat junk food. But, if you’ve planned and shopped ahead, you’re prepared for those times when you need to throw together a quick, wholesome meal.”
With the appropriate ingredients in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, you’ll save money and time by making fewer trips to the grocery or local deli for expensive pre-cooked foods. Robertson also makes the most of her food preparation time. “I have a kitchen marathon—one day of the week when I make three or four things at once,” she says. “This way, instead of chopping onions every day for a different recipe, I get out the food processor and dice three or four onions for different recipes—a stew, a bean soup, or a homemade pot pie. Before I know it, I have a week’s worth of delicious homemade meals that I portion out and freeze for later.”
Many pantry ingredients can be used in numerous recipes to create many different dishes in a short amount of time. “Cooking with what you have on hand just takes a little creativity,” Robertson says. “When you don’t have an ingredient, think of a clever substitution, like making Mexican lasagna using tortillas if you don’t have regular lasagna noodles.”
Quick Meals Using What You Have
Throw together these quick and tasty meals from vegetarian chef Robin Robertson using what you already have plus a few fresh ingredients.
Presto Mediterranean Pasta
In a sauté pan, mix any combination of canned or frozen artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, black olives, capers, and white beans. Sauté in olive oil and minced garlic. Add fresh baby spinach, heat until wilted, and serve over linguine or angel-hair pasta. This sauce can also be used as a topping for veggie cutlets or bruschetta.
Thai Peanut Noodles
Add soy sauce to creamy peanut butter and whisk until smooth. Add chili flakes (optional). Toss with cooked spaghetti or udon noodles. Combine with any steamed broccoli, celery or carrots you have on hand. Add cubed tofu to the mix.
Meatless Sloppy Joes
Heat olive oil and diced onion (or dried onion flakes) in a saucepan. Add a package of frozen veggie-burger crumbles and bottled barbecue sauce. Simmer ten minutes and serve on whole-wheat buns.
Easy Vegan Lasagna
Layer no-cook lasagna sheets, spaghetti sauce, burger crumbles, and tofu sautéed with garlic, salt, and pepper, and frozen, chopped spinach. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with soy Parmesan. (If time permits, make two lasagnas and freeze one for later.)
Speedy Chili
In a stock pot, add one package of veggie-burger crumbles, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of kidney or black beans, a jar of chunky salsa containing onions and bell pepper, a small package of frozen corn, chili powder, cumin, and salt, and pepper to taste. Combine and simmer twenty minutes.
One Time Pantry Organization
- Prepare a list that includes which canned, frozen, or dried staples you can use for multiple meals.
- At the store, study labels and choose brands you prefer. This research will save time later.
- Keep a notepad on your refrigerator door or nearby in the kitchen. When you run low on an ingredient, write it on the list to buy on your next shopping trip.
- Type an inventory list of your basic ingredients and keep it as a quick reference inside your cupboard door.
- Once you’re stocked with ingredients your family’s favorite meals, consider trying a new recipe every week for variety.
- By planning your week’s menu in advance, you can save precious time while shopping.
Provided by Natural Home - http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com
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