A well-stocked cupboard is essential for making last minute cooking a little less stressful and a lot more nutritious. Aside from the basic oils, herbs and spices, our top 10 essentials form the base of some of our favourite plant-based dishes. All that's needed is a sprinkle of creativity. Keep reading to see what makes the cut.
Oats
You might have noticed that oats are one of our favourite breakfast options. Check out our oatmeal bowl recipes here and here. Oats can also be used in baked oatmeal, overnight oats, pancakes, baked goods and smoothies. They can even be whizzed up in a blender to make oat flour.
Quinoa
A go-to grain for salads and mains. Quinoa is known to be a good source of protein and nutrients and takes only 10-15 minutes to prepare. Try our stuffed roasted sweet potato recipe here.
Brown Rice
Brown rice pairs well with any type of veggie curry and makes for an easy and inexpensive dinner option, particularly when cooking for more than one.
Pasta
Pasta can be dressed up in so many ways. It's ideal for cooking in large batches and meal prepping for the week ahead. Vegan pesto pasta is a personal favourite. We opt for the wholewheat or gluten free kind (brown rice and lentil pasta are great options).
Beans
Chickpeas, butterbeans, kidney beans, black beans...the options are endless (well, almost). Our cupboards are always well stocked with a variety of canned beans, which drastically cuts down cooking time. These can be used to make hearty curries and chillies, pasta and salad dishes or even blended up to make hummus.
Lentils
Similar to beans, lentils can be used in soups, curries and pasta dishes. Lentil bolognese for example, is a delicious meat-free alternative to the traditional recipe.
Tinned Tomatoes
An obvious must-have for pasta sauces and curries. Add to sautéed onions and garlic to create a flavoursome base for your best-loved savoury dishes.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds can be used as an egg replacement in baked goods, but can also be added to smoothies and oats for a boost of omega-3's. We like to use them in breakfast recipes to keep us sustained and energised through the morning.
Almond Butter
Spread over toast for a wholesome breakfast option, add to smoothies and oats, drizzle over rice cakes with honey and cinnamon for a delicious snack. Who doesn't love nut butter?
Tahini
Tahini is a creamy sesame seed paste that works incredibly well in dressings. Add to any kind of salad or veggies, or even sneak into cookie recipes to add richness and depth.
What are your cupboard staples?
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