Last month, we shared with you the items our team always keeps on hand in the fridge, and this time we’re back to share what’s in our pantry! We always enjoy seeing the different items people on hand, and our team is comprised of women from California to New Jersey so we thought it would be fun to take a peek into everyone’s different preferences.
Steel-Cut Oats: I always have some kind of oatmeal in my pantry. On the weekends, I like to make a big batch of steel-cut oats and then save it in the fridge for breakfasts for the week. I mix it up and sometimes do it cold with nut milk or hot with fresh berries.
Tart Vinegar: Tart vinegar is the bomb. We add it to our leafy green salads and it gives it such a bright, unique flavor!
Canned Chickpeas: I freakin’ love chickpeas. I eat them with everything. I have this lazy lunch that I whip up when we have nothing to eat: fry up some chickpeas in oil with garlic, chili powder and tomato paste. Add some canned diced tomatoes and let it get toasty and brown. Throw it in a bowl with microwavable brown rice (takes 3 minutes to cook) and top with arugula and sliced avocado. So easy and delicious!
Chickpeas: As a vegetarian, chickpeas and lentils make up a huge part of my protein intake. I always have canned chickpeas on hand for quick meals, as well as dried chickpeas (which require more prep) and roasted chickpeas for snacking.
Vinegar: I’m a vinegar freak, and also a bit of a snob. If you love to cook, you know quality vinegar makes such a difference. I have so many different types of vinegar in my pantry, but my favorites are always raspberry vinegar, Champagne vinegar and Ramp Vinegar.
Italian Plum Tomatoes: Whole Italian plum tomatoes tend to be the ripest and best-quality fruit. They can be diced or crushed to use in a recipe — or drained and slow-roasted for an intense topping on omelets, salads, grain bowls or pizza.
Seeds: Again, because of my vegetarian diet, I rely on seeds for a lot of nutrients. I eat sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds pretty much every day for a snack. Seeds are such a powerhouse of nutritional benefits, not to mention delicious.
Rice + Beans: I grew up with rice and beans at almost every meal, and it’s become a comfort food for me. I switch up between types: rice (jasmine, basmati, etc.); beans (pinto, black, navy), so it’s never boring. Our pantry is always stocked with this combo, no matter what.
POR KWAN Vietnamese Beef Flavor Paste: My best friend’s mother always made pho for us when we would study together. I’ve tried so many different broth recipes, but this paste is the only thing that has ever come close to recreating my childhood favorite pho recipe. I buy a couple of these jars at a time; I use a lot of it in different dishes as well thanks to its savory taste.
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I rarely use any other oil, I just love the taste of olive oil in a lot of different meals. My favorite budget-friendly olive oil is from Trader Joe’s.
Nutella: Nutella just makes everything taste better. I put it on just about anything, and even eat it straight from the jar sometimes. It’s my guilty pleasure.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s: I add this seasoning to bagels, toast, mac and cheese, you name it. It’s a pantry staple at my house, for sure.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: My husband and I have no problem splurging on high-quality olive oil because it’s an essential in our pantry and we use it all the time.
Featured image via our home tour with Emily Starr Alfano.
