Pantry items like grains, spices, oils, broth, and nuts are essentials; they're peppered through the grains, soups, and baking aisles. See what you already have in your cupboard and fill in the blanks!
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Farro
- Chia
- Oats
- Olive oil
- Broth (chicken or vegetable), canned or boxed or bouillon
- Turmeric powder
- Ground coriander
- Ground ginger (if you cannot locate fresh or jarred)
- Five spice powder
- Any other spices you prefer for particular cuisine
- Nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.)
You may want some flavors or accoutrements from different foreign cuisines. The ethnic food aisle or section of the aisle should be near the grains and spices. For example, if you're creating an Asian-inspired dish, you may want some of the following ingredients on hand in your pantry:
- Hoisin sauce
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sambal Oelek (or other chile pastes)
- Toasted sesame oil
- Water chestnuts, bamboo shoots
It's amazing what you can do with just a little bit of seasoning and sauce. You can dress up an otherwise boring grain bowl with a little something extra, and it immediately transforms from plain to amazing. Consider oregano, basil, and marinara sauce for an Italian dish, ginger and turmeric for an Indian-inspired meal, or cumin and chili powder for a Mexican twist.
