Pantry Staples, Why Do We Need Them?
As we get older and think about moving out of home for the first time, it is important to know what to have in your pantry. A lot of people still don’t know much about what pantry staples are or rely on store bought food, as it can be overwhelming. In this article, we will delve into the world of pantry staples, exploring their definition, importance and the key items that every kitchen should have.
What Is the Meaning of Pantry Staples?
Pantry staples refer to fundamental food items that are consistently stored in a pantry or kitchen cupboard. They are considered basic or important foods that provide a foundation for various meals and recipes, including non-perishable items like grains, canned goods, spices, and oils. These staples are essential for a well-stocked kitchen and are regularly used in cooking to add flavour, texture and nutrition to meals.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Food Item A Pantry Staple?
So, what makes a pantry staple? A pantry staple is defined by several key characteristics:
- non – perishable: these items can be stored for long periods without spoiling;
- versatile: they can be used in a variety of dishes and recipes;
- widely available: they are commonly found in stores and can be easily purchased;
- cool, dry storage: properly stored, they maintain their freshness and shelf life; and
- protection from moisture, light and other environmental factors: this helps prevent spoilage.
Importance of Pantry Staples
The importance of having your pantry well stocked with a variety of staples is so that you are able to whip up a quick and easy meal or snack at moment’s notice. It also provides a sense of security and flexibility, knowing that you have the ingredients you need to prepare a meal, even if you are unable to get to the store. Having a variety of staples can help reduce food waste and save money, as they can be used to make a variety of dishes and can be stored for long periods of time.
What Key Pantry Staples Are Good to Have?
What are some pantry staples that should be in every kitchen? The items may vary depending on personal preference and dietary needs, but there are some essentials that are useful and allow you to cook a wide range of foods. These include:
- grains, such as rice, pasta and oats;
- canned goods, such as beans, tomatoes, and tuna;
- baking supplies, such as flour, sugar, and baking powder;
- spices and seasonings, such as salt, pepper and herbs; and
- oils and vinegars, such as olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Pantry Staples List
Grains
When stocking your pantry, grains are a crucial component. Here’s a list of essential grains to consider:
Rice
a versatile base for many dishes, including rice dishes, salads, side dishes
Pasta
various types of pasta can be used for soups, sauces, and as a side.
Oats
rolled oats are great breakfast option and can be used in baking.
Brown Rice
a classic choice that is affordable and gluten-free.
Farro or Barley, Split Peas
these grains add a hearty texture to soups, stews and salads.
Canned Foods
There are a lot of different canned foods available. Having them in your pantry can help you a lot as they don’t go off quickly, can add a cheap protein or vegetable to increasy nutrition and require very little preparation. Here are some to always have in your pantry for convenience:
Canned Tomatoes
essential for pasta sauces, pizza bases, curries, soups and stews;
Canned Beans
perfect for salads, dips, soups, stews and vegetarian protein bowls;
Canned Tuna
perfect for sandwiches, salads, patties and pasta dishes;
Canned Vegetables
quick side dishes when fresh vegetables are not available, salads, soups and stews.
Canned Coconut Milk and Cream
add to curries, soups and desserts;
Canned Meat:
chicken, beef and ham are great for sandwiches and salads; and
Canned Heat and Eat Meals:
like soups, stews and spaghetti are an easy meal to have when you are tired and still need to eat. Canned soups can also be added to stews and other dishes to add flavor.
Baking Supplies
Essential baking staples for your pantry are the things that you use to bake and enhance your cooking. These are either stored in the pantry or fridge. Here are some to always have in your pantry:
Flour:
all-purpose flour, self-raising flour and corn flour are some of main flours available. There are also bread flour and cake flour which can be used to get better results when you are making things from scratch as they are made specifically for this purpose. You can also get gluten-free flours and other non-wheat flours;
Sugar:
granulated sugar, brown sugar, caster sugar and icing sugar are commonly used for baking and to add sweetness to soups, pastas and curries;
Leaveners:
baking powder, baking soda and yeast are crucial for helping baked goods rise;
Fat:
butter (stored in the fridge) and oils like vegetable or olive oil are used for moisture and flavour; and
Eggs:
an all-round ingredient that adds structure and richness to baked goods. They help other ingredients stick together, help pastries turn golden and you can make eggs in many ways on their own. You can get a egg substitute for people that can’t have eggs or for when they are difficult to find fresh.
Spices and Seasonings
Spices and seasonings add flavour to your dishes. Here are some of the of the essential spices and seasonings:
Salt and Pepper:
basic flavour enhancers for all dishes.
Oregano, Bay Leaves and Parsley:
dried herbs that add warmth and depth;
Cumin, Paprika and Coriander:
versatile spices for various cuisines;
Chilli Powder, Curry Powder, Mustard Powder and Turmeric:
for adding heat and depth to dishes; and
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder:
essential for enhancing flavour in many recipes.
These spices will help you create a variety of delicious meals and enhance your cooking experience. They can be used in curries, mexican dishes, pastas, stir fries, salads and more.
Oils, Vinegar, Sauces and Condiments
Having a selection of oils as part of your pantry staples can add different flavours and different oils are good for different types of cooking. Some oils can be used to drizzle over salads or to dip bread in. Vinegar can be help enhance you cooking or to make dressings for salads.
Olive Oil:
commonly used for sauteing, frying and roasting due to its high smoke point. extra virgin olive oil can be used in salads dressings, marinades, and finishing dishes to enhance flavours. also used in baking recipes, adding moisture and flavour to cakes, breads and pastries.
Vegetable Oil:
used for cooking and frying, vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and soybean oil, are commonly used for frying due to their high smoke points, which allow them to withstand high temperatures without burning. which makes them ideal for sauteing, roasting and deep-frying foods. They are often used in baking recipes to add moisture and improve texture. They can replace butter or other fats in many recipes, contributing to a lighter crumb in baking. vegetable oils can carry and enhance the flavours of other ingredients, making them essential in many recipes.
Red Wine Vinegar, White Wine Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar:
used to make dressing, some sauces;
Tomato and BBQ Sauce:
to add flavour to dishes, sandwiches, or on top of meat eg: sausages;
Mayonnaise:
used in sandwiches, salads and goes great with tuna;
Salad Dressing (e.g. Caesar or French):
to add flavour to salads;
French, Dijon and English mustards:
used on sandwiches, to add flavour to dishes and in salads;
Soy Sauce:
comes in few different types like light, dark and sweet soy sauce; and
Sesame Oil, Oyster Sauce, Fish Sauce and Hoisin Sauce:
used on sandwiches, to add flavour to dishes, sauces and in salads;
Finishing Note
All this information may seem a lot, and you are probably wondering how are you going to get all of items at once? You don’t need to get everything in one go, and it is fine to not get all of them to begin with. Starting a pantry can be expensive if you buy it all at once. Instead, you can get a few pantry staples to start off and build up your pantry staples as you can. If you buy one or two pantry staples each time you go to the supermarket then before long you will have a pantry that can cook almost any dish you would like to eat.