When you get home from a hard day's work, it always seems quicker and easier just to order in for your supper. But ordering food every night can be quite expensive and it still takes time for the delivery man to bring your order to you. And having pizza or Chinese food every night can become boring. As well, ordering in isn't always the healthiest way to eat.
If you have the basics in your pantry, it can be just as easy to make a quick meal at home. There are a few staples you should have on hand in your pantry, however, in order to make simple meals.
Here is a list of foods that you should stock regularly in your pantry:
- Oil, vinegar, flour, sugar, honey, soy sauce
- Canned tuna and salmon
- Peanut butter
- Beef and chicken bouillon (either canned, liquid, cubes or powder)
- Herbs and spices such as: salt and pepper, oregano, thyme, basil, paprika, garlic powder (not salt), chili powder, and other spices according to your tastes
- Canned or bottled pasta sauce, canned diced tomatoes
- Dried pasta or spaghetti, rice, canned or dried beans, couscous
- Bread crumbs
- Potatoes
- Onions
If you are running low on any of the above items, during your next grocery shopping day stock up to replace the items.
You should also keep a few basics to have on hand when needed in your refrigerator:
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Lemons or limes
- Salsa or chili sauce
- Some fresh vegetable or salad ingredients
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Your favorite salad dressings
You should not neglect freezer items either. Freezer staples should include:
- Frozen vegetables
- Bread crumbs (you can have dried bread crumbs on hand or frozen ones)
- Bagels, tortillas or wraps
- Meat, fish or poultry, separated into the sizes needed for your family meals
It isn't hard to get away from the ordering-in trap if you have the right items in your pantry to help you make a healthy, quick and easy dinner. You can see how having the above ingredients on hand will allow you to make many quick and easy meals. For instance, if you have canned tuna on hand along with fresh salad ingredients, you could make a nice salad with tuna for a healthy easy supper. Or by having frozen fish on hand, you could make a quick and easy baked fish dish and serve it with super-quick coucous.
