#pantry-staples

#pantry-staples

Canned foods are delightfully convenient when stocked in the pantry. You never know when they'll come in handy or how you can incorporate them into a dish for a more filling or interesting culinary experience. Canned chili is one example that's especially versatile; we deemed it an absolute must-have canned food, along with tomatoes and beans. While chili is tasty on its own, we wanted to highlight some creative ways to use the food beyond eating it as is.

At the grocery store, I am a wide-eyed baby with a wholly undeveloped sense of object permanence. What do I have at home? Your guess is as good as mine. It wouldn't hurt to grab a can of beans, you know, just in case the reserves are low. Well, peekaboo. At present writing, there are nine cans of chickpeas in my pantry.

Let's be honest - fried rice is a weeknight hero. You've got the rice, the veggies, maybe some eggs or another protein, and it gets the job done. But with just one addition, you can take it from good enough to something you'll actually look forward to eating: sweet chili sauce. This little condiment balances gentle sweetness with mild heat, instantly giving fried rice a restaurant-level upgrade.

Buying in bulk at Costco allows home bakers to stock essential pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder at incredible savings compared to traditional grocery stores.

Single householders aged 65 and over are increasing as a proportion of the population, highlighting a significant demographic shift towards solo living and cooking for one.

Canned tuna is a versatile ingredient stored for ages that complements salads, casseroles, and notably, makes excellent sandwiches mixed with creamy mayonnaise.

A well-stocked pantry with bold flavors is essential for home cooking, allowing creative exploration of familiar ingredients like mango chutney for diverse meals.

Canned lentils are a nutrient-dense, affordable pantry staple that require minimal prep, allowing for diverse and creative meal options while being easy to store.

While canned sweetcorn is a pantry staple enjoyed for its sweet flavor and bright color, not all brands are created equal. Stop & Shop’s canned corn, ranked as the worst option, suffers from mealy texture and excessive saltiness, ultimately falling short of flavor expectations and presenting an unappetizing paler color despite being marketed as 'golden corn.' This demonstrates the importance of choosing quality over price in the canned vegetables aisle. In contrast, better brands ensure a more satisfying experience, with plump kernels that deliver on taste.