Pantry Staples: Dry Goods and Spices

Today I want to talk about pantry staples: dry goods and spices. We all know a well-stocked pantry is the backbone of a functional kitchen. It ensures that you have the essential ingredients on hand to whip up delicious meals, even on busy days or when fresh produce is in short supply. Or let’s face it, when you simply don’t feel like going to the store.

Among the pantry staples, dry goods and spices play a crucial role in adding flavor, texture, and versatility to your dishes.

Stocking a staple pantry kind of depends on how you eat as a family, so keep in mind that you may have to tweak the list if you avoid certain foods {i.e. glutens, sugars, animal products, etc.} due to dietary choices and/or restrictions.

But this basic list of pantry staples: dry goods and spices should help you build a well-rounded collection.

Pantry Staples: Dry Goods and Spices

Grains 

Rice, quinoa, couscous, oats, and pasta are all versatile staples that can serve as the foundation for various dishes.

Legumes 

My favorite category! Beans, lentils and peas are excellent sources of plant-based protein. They can be used in salads, soups, stews, and more.

Baking Supplies

Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, cornstarch and cocoa powder are essentials for baking bread, cakes, cookies, and other homemade treats.

Canned Goods

Tomatoes, tomato paste, peppers, broth, and beans {canned versions of black, kidney, pinto…whatever your family prefers} are convenient options for adding quick depth and flavor to your meals.

Spices

Spices are the secret to elevating ordinary dishes into culinary masterpieces in my opinion. If you have a collection of spices in your pantry, you can experiment with different cuisines and flavors.

Plus, as an added bonus, there are a lot of spices that offer health-promoting properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Cinnamon, ginger and turmeric and just a few.

Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley are always in my pantry.

I also love adding red pepper flakes to amp up the flavor in many dishes too. 

Baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, anise and vanilla beans are in my dry goods pantry as well.

And let’s not forget about honey and maple syrup!

Keeping your pantry stocked with a selection of dry goods and spices sets the stage for cooking success in my book. These essential ingredients offer versatility, flavor and cost-effectiveness to your meals. 

By ensuring your pantry is well-stocked, you can easily create delicious dishes even when time is limited or your garden is no longer producing.

What are some of YOUR pantry essentials? What dry goods do you always try and keep stocked in your cupboards? I’d love to know. 

~Mavis

OTHER

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