Chef Paul’s Pantry Essentials
March 11 2013
There are a few essential ingredients that no pantry should be without. Whenever you want to put together a quick snack or meal, these ingredients will help get you on your way:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This “healthy fat” is wonderful for everyday cooking. Extra virgin olive oil is a great substitute for butter or margarine. Use it also for sautéing onions and garlic, drizzling over salads, add it to a bruschetta mixture, and more.
Balsamic Vinegar
Perfect for salad dressings or even for drizzling over strawberries for dessert, balsamic is a must have for every home cook.
Chicken Broth
If you don’t have the time or the freezer space to store your own homemade chicken broth, then a good quality low sodium broth is a must.
Canned Tomatoes
Whole, crushed or diced—stock up on all different types of tomatoes to use in everything from stews to soups. With a can of tomatoes, you can also make a quick and easy homemade pasta sauce by heating it on the stove and adding salt, fresh garlic, basil, olives and some fresh spinach…voila!
Dried Pasta
Most packaged varieties take 10 to 12 minutes or even less to cook, so a pasta dish topped with homemade tomato sauce can be ready and on the table in less than 20 minutes! Stock a variety of pastas like penne, fusilli, macaroni, and long noodles such as linguine and angel hair pasta.
Red Kidney Beans
Whether you prefer the dried or the canned variety, beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein. Use them to make your favourite chili and stews. Sometimes called nature’s perfect food, beans are low-fat and full of fiber and protein. If using canned beans, try to buy the low sodium or no salt added varieties and always rinse them thoroughly before use.
Spices
A good variety of dried herbs and spices make for quick and flavourful meals. My favorites include basil, oregano, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cinnamon and of course salt and pepper.
Chickpeas
Low in sodium and high in fiber, these delicious legumes can be used in a variety of ways. Also known as garbanzo beans, buy the canned version, drain and rinse them well, and add them to salads or an Indian curry—or mash them up with garlic and lemon juice to make a hummus.
Rice
Many quick meals will include rice either in the dish or as a base. Have both a brown rice and some basmati. Cooking rice is easy, it’s cheap and filling.
Canned Tuna
From sandwiches to casseroles to pasta salads, canned tuna is the ingredient to reach for to make a variety of healthy and easy meals. Best of all, tuna is high in protein and low in fat. Look for tuna packed in water for a lower fat content.
