Get creative and have some flexibility
Have you ever said to yourself: ‘I have nothing to prepare for dinner’, all the while staring at a fridge or cupboard full of food
OH .. just the other night in fact
I started looking around the kitchen and realised I had all the ingredients for shrimps and semolina A bag of frozen shrimp was hidden in the back of my freezer. A box of instant semolina was in my pantry, along with a box of diced tomatoes and a box of chicken stock The cheddar cheese and butter in my fridge added the necessary creaminess and flavour to the semolina.
My advice for trying to cook with few ingredients Start with a simple recipe, then start looking at what you have on hand Most people will be surprised that they actually have the ingredients to prepare a tasty meal.
And know this: just because you may not have the exact ingredients or you may be missing an ingredient, most likely the dish will still be tasty. In fact, you might create a new favourite recipe
Also, don’t panic if you go to the supermarket and the items on your list are not available. You might find that boneless chicken breasts are out of stock, but they have chicken thighs Most recipes will work even if you switch to a different cut of the same meat.
If you don’t feel comfortable changing a recipe, ask your mobile phone for help. There are so many recipes online that you will be sure to find one with that random cut of meat that is the only option left on the shelf that day We have technology, so let it help you put a delicious meal on the table
What to buy
Having the key ingredients on hand will help you prepare a delicious meal
As we all try to reduce trips to the supermarket, look for items that have a long shelf life or can be easily frozen
Ingredients like butter, milk, eggs, bags of grated cheese and bacon are things to have in your fridge I also keep buttermilk in my fridge for whipping up biscuits and pancakes.
Frozen vegetables are a great option to have on hand Fresh is always best when a vegetable is in season, but for the rest of the year it is sometimes best frozen Frozen vegetables are harvested at the peak of ripeness, so they taste great and are full of nutrients. Most brands do not use additives, making it a healthier option to canned vegetables. Frozen vegetables can be used in dishes such as stir-fries, soups and pot pies.
Frozen fruits are also harvested and frozen at their peak. Keep some on hand for breakfast smoothies or to make a cobbler for dessert
Canned tomatoes, whether diced or whole, are a great item to have on hand Unlike most canned vegetables, canned tomatoes offer as much flavour as ripe tomatoes Canned tomatoes can be used in sauces, soups and even drained and used as a substitute for fresh diced tomatoes
For weeknight meals, canned beans are a convenient and quick alternative to dried beans Black bean burgers, white bean chili, minestrone and red bean soup, and New Orleans rice are just a few of the dishes that can be whipped up with a can of beans and some common pantry dishes
Packets of pasta, rice, quinoa and semolina will ensure that you have a starch filling on hand to use as the base of a dish or as a side dish
A few boxes of chicken stock will help you easily prepare a soup, stew or sauce
Keep your freezer stocked with some protein, such as quick-cooking frozen prawns, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and ground meat Freeze meat in portions suitable for your family rather than loose It is best to thaw meat in the refrigerator Keep in mind that large quantities may take one or two days to thaw.
Dried seasonings and spices can turn a simple dish into a tasty meal
Don’t forget to add some fresh ingredients to your shopping list Choose items you know you will eat If they are not eaten after a few days, freeze them to use in a recipe another day. This is no time to waste
And while you might be tempted to stock up on big jars of Nutella, bags of chips and tubs of cheese sauce, make sure you have a healthy balance of foods in your shopping cart
