Everyone knows it: you don’t have time or don’t feel like going to the supermarket, but you still want to put a tasty meal on the table. Fortunately, you can often cook more with things from your pantry than you think! With a little creativity and a well-stocked pantry, you can make delicious dishes without having to run straight to the shop. Here are some inspiring ideas for cooking with what you already have in your pantry.
The magic of canned vegetables
Canned vegetables are often overlooked lifesavers. Whether you have a can of tomatoes, corn or chickpeas on hand, these ingredients can form the basis of a surprisingly tasty dish.
Recipe idea
Make a nutritious soup with what you have. Fry an onion and garlic in a little oil, add tinned tomatoes and chickpeas, and season with whatever spices you have available. Simmer and serve with a piece of bread for a complete meal.
Dry pasta and rice
Almost everyone has a pack of pasta or rice in their cupboard. These products make a great base for countless dishes and combine well with all kinds of other ingredients.
Recipe idea
A quick pasta puttanesca. Have a can of anchovies, olives, capers and a tin of tomatoes? Fry the anchovies briefly in olive oil, add the tomatoes, olives and capers, and mix with cooked pasta. A simple but oh-so-tasty meal.
Canned fish
Canned fish such as tuna or sardines are ideal to have in your pantry. They have a long shelf life and can be used in numerous dishes.
Recipe idea
A tuna salad at its best. Mix canned tuna with leftover mayonnaise, capers, sliced gherkin and a dash of lemon juice. Great on a sandwich, but also delicious through a cold pasta salad.
Baking mixes and flour
If you have some flour, baking mixes or even pancake mix in the house, you can make more than just pastries. These ingredients lend themselves perfectly to savoury applications.
Recipe idea
Savoury pancakes with a twist. Make a standard pancake batter, but add grated cheese and herbs to the batter. Serve with a simple salad or a can of peas for a complete meal.
Dried pulses
Dried pulses, such as lentils, beans and split peas, are cheap and nutritious. Moreover, they have a long shelf life, which makes them an ideal ingredient to always have in the house.
Recipe idea
Lentil stew. Boil lentils together with some stock, carrots, onion and possibly a can of tomato puree. Simmer until everything is well cooked. Serve with a piece of baguette or a simple green salad.
Long-life milk and coconut milk
Long-life milk and coconut milk are handy to have around the house. They can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes to add just that little bit of creaminess.
Recipe idea
Quick curry with coconut milk. Fry onion, garlic and ginger in a pan, add some curry powder and coconut milk, then stir in the vegetables from your pantry. Simmer and serve with rice.
Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are often the secret weapon in the kitchen. With a few well-chosen spices, you can transform even the simplest ingredients into a tasty meal.
Recipe idea
Roasted chickpeas with paprika and cumin. Mix canned chickpeas with olive oil, paprika, cumin and a pinch of salt. Roast them in the oven until crispy. A delicious snack or topping for a salad.
Dessert pantry
Even for desserts, you can get by with pantry ingredients. Think simple ingredients like sugar, flour, eggs, and butter or oil.
Recipe idea
Mug cake with chocolate. Mix a tablespoon of flour, sugar, cocoa, an egg, a little oil and a dash of milk in a mug. Put the mug in the microwave for a minute, and voila! A warm, sticky cake, perfect for a quick sweet craving.
You don’t always have to have a full fridge to prepare a tasty meal. With a well-stocked pantry, a little creativity and some basic ingredients, you can put delicious dishes on the table. Cooking from the pantry is not only convenient and cost-saving, but it also stimulates your creativity in the kitchen. So the next time you think you don’t have anything in the house, take another look around – the possibilities are endless!