Some of the necessities that I always have in my pantry.
The bare minimum
These are not what I use on a daily basis, but what I will always keep in stock. Having these basic ingredients help me create our daily meals and even help spruce them up. I can't live without them. (The items below are not in a specific order)
1. Flour
Not only used to bake, but I use it a lot in cooking our meals. So versatile! I use these to bake some breads and make dough, but I also use them in various dishes. I coat things in flour when I fry them, to thicken a sauce, make gravy, and so on. Very inexpensive, I buy a huge bag at Sam's Club for $5.
2. Sugar
We all need a little sugar, sugar. I keep both types of sugar, brown and white, in my pantry. I prefer brown sugar in everything because I love the molasses-ee vibes it gives off and it makes dishes taste a bit more rich. White sugar I use in baking. I also buy this at Sam's Club because it's a 10 lb bag for so cheap! I add sugar to everything (stop judging) because to me, it brings out a lot of flavor. It's just as important as salt!
3. Cornstarch
Just like flour... I use cornstarch to make a slurry which helps to thicken things like sauces. I also like to use cornstarch instead of flour if I want a very light coating on things that I'm deep frying. Cornstarch is great for deep frying because it makes the food more crispy.
4. Pasta
Pasta is what I think of when I need to whip up a cheap, easy, tasty meal. When I have friends over, or even when I don't have much time to cook, I cook pasta. I tend to make Filipino Spaghetti because that's just what we enjoy. Pasta is also shelf stable and doesn't take much space in the fridge. I buy a box of spaghetti from Sam's Club (pls sponsor me) for $5 and it lasts for a while!
5. Bread crumbs
No, I do not just use these when I am baking some Pandesal. I love using breadcrumbs in meals too. I usually make chicken parmesan using plain breadcrumbs and some seasoning. Rather than buying "Italian" breadcrumbs, I stock up on the "plain" version so that I could use it in many different ways. It could also be used to bind things together, such as meatloaf or meatballs.
6. Panko
The Japanese version of bread crumbs... if you're from Hawai'i, this should always be in your pantry. I use panko to make katsu's. It's so light and creates this crispy crust that I love. Chicken Katsu is also a simple meal that I whip up sometimes when I don't know what else to cook.
7. Chicken Fry Mix
I love using Chicken Fry Mix. There's only two kinds that I like, Zippy's and Golden Coin. I have a stock of those. If I run out, I can always make my own, premix it, then keep it in its own container for future use. I use it for frying meats that I won't be using a sauce on.
8. Chia Seeds
Trying to be healthy... Chia seeds are a great way to intake some fiber. I buy a big bag at Sam's Club. It's great to add to smoothies, acai bowls, or even a cup of water with some lemon or lime. I also use it to make chia seed pudding because I am not a fan of eating oatmeal. It adds texture, but beware! They may get stuck in between your teeth. Before smiling, have a teeth check in the mirror.
9. Baking Powder
Need a lift? Baking powder helps rise things. It's great for baking, but you could also use it in batters to make them light and crispy.
10. Sunflower Seeds
I don't know about you, but I love sunflower seeds. I don't use them in cooking, but I use it as a topping for many things. If I want some texture, I add it to my salads or even my ice cream. I like sweet and salty things together. It's a great alternative to sprinkles. hehehe
Comments