Over the years we have honed in on our staple ingredients; those necessary to the majority of our recipes, those we love and those that cut down on frequent trips to the grocery store.
1. Minute Rice
Why: I use my Kraft Kitchen’s Dinner On Hand cookbook A LOT and many of the dishes use rice; so that is why this has become a staple pantry item for me.
2. Canned Tomatoes
Why: These of course are essential for sauces and bases. They are perfect when fresh tomatoes aren’t in season (and therefore ridiculously expensive). And they are flavorful additions to many recipes.
3. Stock/Broth
Why: These come in handy for making soups for fall and winter.
4. Dry Pasta
Why: This is a go to side dish for me; especially alongside Chicken Parm. I also love making pasta salads and baked pastas for potlucks…and we have quite a few at work.
5. Black Olives
Why: I add them to pizza of course and I love taking Greek salads to work.
6. Canned Beans
Why: As a chilli lover; many of those recipes call for beans. Plus I have a killer recipe for a three bean salad that is to die for!
7. Nuts
Why: Most of my dessert recipes call for nuts and even when they don’t I add them. A handful of almonds for example make for a great, healthier snack instead of chips!
8. Tuna
Why: I grew up on tuna fish sandwiches and as I got older I moved on to tuna melts and I love eating it with mini-peppers from Costco.
9. Kraft Dinner Mac & Cheese
Why: I know, I know; this isn’t a healthy food choice but it is a guilty pleasure. I always have a boxes around for when Megan comes to town and we binge watch shows on Netflix.
10. Old El Paso Taco Kit
Why: It is great to have on hand for when my nieces and nephews stop by; it is a great way to get them involved in cooking and spend quality time in the kitchen and around the dinner table.