Having a properly stocked pantry can set you up for success in the kitchen. Ten ingredients will help cover all of your cooking needs, leaving you stocked with versatile kitchen essentials. These ingredients will help provide both the flavors and textures you need in all your favorite dishes. Check out the guide below to discover the pantry staples you may be missing.
1. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: This pantry staple is excellent for sauteing, as a dressing, and everything else in between. This oil is perfect for cold applications such as salad dressing, pasta sauce, and dips. Olive oil has a shelf life of one year if it lasts that long in your pantry.
2. White Wine Vinegar: There are many different kinds of vinegar, but the most versatile vinegar has to be white wine vinegar. This vinegar is perfect for cooking white meat dishes such as chicken or fish, with its bright acidity that adds flavor to any dish.
3. Kosher Salt: What better way to add flavor to food than to add salt. This flavorful addition can make any dish into a tasty one. Kosher salt is less refined than regular table salt, and because it is not as dense, you can use more than table salt.
4. Freshly Ground Pepper: This seasoning is a must when it comes to pantry staples. When choosing pepper, always choose newly ground pepper instead of pre-ground pepper that limits the seasoning’s flavor potential. Then, all you need is a pepper mill and peppercorns to turn any dish into a flavorful one.
5. All-Purpose Flour: Use this flour in baked goods, thickening sauces, and many more applications. Flour’s versatility is what makes this pantry item a staple. Keep flour in a cool, dry place, and it will last up to eight months.
6. Sugar: The two types of sugars most often used in the kitchen are white granulated and brown sugars. These varieties of sugars are commonly used in baking but are also excellent for adding sweetness when cooking. In addition, if stored properly, sugar can last indefinitely.
7. Beans: There are many varieties of beans, from black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, red kidney, and lentils; these are all good options when choosing beans. Beans are best when added to soups, chili, salads, or as a side dish. In addition, you can select canned or dried beans; keep in mind that dried beans need to be soaked overnight before cooking.
8. White or Brown Rice: Depending on the type of dish you are making, you can use either white rice, which has a higher starch level, or brown rice, which has a lower starch level. Both of these varieties are widely available in grocery stores and go well in an array of recipes.
9. Tomatoes: Keeping canned tomatoes in your pantry gives you the option of creating many dishes. You can keep various types available, including tomato paste, sauce, diced, and whole canned tomatoes.
10. Pasta: Keeping different pasta varieties stocked in your pantry is an easy way to make a quick meal any day of the week. Use other pantry staples such as olive oil or canned tomato varieties to create a delicious dish everyone will love.
