Tips for Keeping a Well-Stocked Pantry
We all have those days when we don't have anything special planned for dinner. You know, the days when you don't feel like going to the grocery store to pick a few things up either. For the resourceful vegetarian, having a well-stocked pantry can make all the difference in the world. With a few staples, you can come up with something quick and delicious just with what's on hand. Here is a list of recommended items for every vegetarian kitchen.
Pantry Dish Ideas Chili Macaroni and Cheese Vegetable Pot Pie Twice-Baked Potatoes Onion Dip Millet-Quinoa Pilaf Pepper Tempeh and Rice Veggie Burgers |
Pantry Staples
- canned or dried beans
black beans, chick peas, pinto beans, kidney beans
- whole or diced chiles
- tomato sauce
- stewed tomatoes
- millet
- quinoa
- basmati rice (brown or white)
- short-grain rice (brown or white)
- chili kit (just add beans instead of meat and voila!)
- onion soup packets (great for onion dip)
- nutritional yeast flakes (adds a cheesy flavor to dishes)
- canola oil
- sesame oil (good for frying tempeh)
- olive oil
- soy sauce
- vinegar (red wine, balsamic, apple cider, rice)
- barbecue sauce
- elbow macaroni
- spaghetti
- linguine
- fettucine
- orzo (great for pasta salad)
- onions (red, white, yellow)
- potatoes (new, russet, Yukon gold)
Regfrigerated or frozen
- vegetarian burger patties
- frozen fruit (think smoothies!)
- frozen vegetables (try mixed vegetables, spinach, corn, and peas)
- frozen breads (buns, flatbread, tortillas, pita)
- puff pastry (fill with fruit for instant dessert, fill with tofu and mixed vegetables for an instant meal)
- tofu (firm, silken, dried, seasoned)
- tempeh (an excellent and filling protein source)
- bell peppers
- minced garlic (I'm too lazy to mince my own so I buy the biggest jar I can find and use it in everything)
Another tip to keep in mind when trying to plan ahead: make extras of foods that freeze well. Whenever I make barbecue sauce from scratch, I freeze about two-thirds of it for use on days I don't feel like cooking. Casseroles, soups and veggie meatloafs freeze very well and make great menu savers on those lazy days in the kitchen.
*** This article was originally written by Connie, the previous vegetarian host. I am featuring it again, because I think it's a very helpful article.
~Veronica Armstrong~
Vegetarian Host
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