Pantry essentials

With isolation mode in full swing, many of us have probably stocked up on a few staples OR are shopping with these in mind to limit the number of times we are out & about.

Essentials such as canned goods, baking needs, long life milk, oils and more are what keep our kitchens humming – making meal time easy to prep. With a store fully of goodies  – we’ve selected a few high on our list to enjoy … plus some delicious meal ideas to keep food inspiring and fresh.

Canned & Jarred Goods

Items such as canned tomatoes, fish, beans, legumes, coconut cream /milk & sauces are all great staples to have on hand .. many of which form the basis of hearty meals.
And by preserving them in canned form, means you can still obtain nutritional benefit of these wholefoods – without worrying about them going off in a week. So – storage wise, it makes sense.

Let’s not also forget about sauerkraut’s, gherkins, tomato puree and more.

Flour

Baking is a favourite past time / hobby for a few of us, especially in this period of ‘lock down’. With standard flour often a little hard to come by, it’s a great time to experiment with some not so well known flour alternatives such as coconut, buckwheat, almond meal, tapioca and gluten free flour blends.

Bob’s Red Mill have a fantastic range of baking essentials, with flours such as:

• Quinoa Flour: a highly nutritious grain. This flour is also an excellent choice for those looking for a more healthful twist on standard baked goods and pan-fried favorites such as breads, pancakes and waffles. You can substitute this flour for half of the all-purpose flour in many recipes, or completely replace wheat flour in cakes and cookie recipes. Quinoa flour imparts its unique, nutty yet earthy flavor to your favorite baked goods. It pairs well with fruits, nuts, spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and coriander, as well as herbs like rosemary.
• Sorghum Flour: Traditionally, this gluten free flour has been used to create pancakes, porridges, beer and flatbread such as roti in India. It can also substitute for other grains in cakes, cookies, breads and muffins. Due to its mild taste and smooth texture, sorghum flour is a great choice to replace wheat flour in sweet breads, cookies and more—although keep in mind you’ll need to include a binder such as xanthan gum.
• Almond Flour: raw almonds that are steam pasteurized and then ground into a fine flour that is essential to many pastries. Adding almond flour to your favorite recipe will add a wonderful richness. Also look for blanched almond meal!

Kialla – Located in Toowoomba QLD, Kialla is an Aussie tradition in the kitchen. The company only mills certified GMO-free organic cereal grains with no cross contamination from non-organic products. Sourcing over 20 different grains from certified organic growers, this wonderful company have produced certified organic & wholesome flour blends for decades. From spelt, wholemeal, khorasan, kamut, rye, millet ..

The Gluten Free Food Company has some easy flour blends and mixes pre-done for you, making life easy. So – whip up your own pizza base, banana bread or your own gluten free bread.

Oils

Whilst a good quality Olive Oil is an essential in our household – there are many other types in store you can alternate between. Some are better used at high temperatures, and some – more for dressings etc. The nutritional benefits are amazing and a great way to add different flavours into a meal. We can never go past having our OWN Organic EV Coconut oil in the pantry as well. Not only great for cooking with, but it’s an amazing moisturiser for dry skin & hair.

Melrose offers a clever range of Almond, Apricot, Walnut & Avocado oils which are loaded with minerals & healthy fats. Avocado oil is one of our favourites!

Milk – cow & plant based

Yes – we know, fresh milk (especially animal) is not kept in the pantry but the fridge, but if you’re looking for a little long life option, it might be a good time to introduce your family to some delicious plant  based milks.

Think coconut, almond, soy, oat, hemp .. the list goes on!
Pour over cereal, use in baking, add to smoothies or pop in your morning coffee.
Bonsoy is always the favourite for it’s smooth & creamy taste, plus it froths well if you’re a coffee lover.

Sauces & currys

Everything is practically done for you .. all the simmering and spices are added, it’s just up to you to add your favourite (or left over!) veg, protein, rice etc.

Ozganics options are mouth watering and the jar size makes this perfect for feeding the family. Plus, they keep the flavours pretty traditional from Thai Curry to a delish Butter Chicken! They also have a range of herbed tomato sauces, and dressings which are great to have on hand to season a meal.

Bone broth is also a good option as a sauce or base to soups, stir frys etc.
The new range from Gevity is fantastic and loaded with nutrients and gut loving ingredients. Check out their Curry Body Glue ; this punchy Bone Broth delivers some deliciously spicy aromatics and flavours to match while boosting nutrients and helping your body repair. Use as an easy marinade or to add flavour to your favourite stir-fry’s, red meat dishes and of course, curries. It can also be enjoyed as a hot drink during the cooler months.

Breakfast Cereals

Some might say that Oats are the ultimate pantry essential, as a food source it’s packed with fiber and minerals. Breakfast, lunch & dinner – oats are edible any time of the day, from the traditional porridge, bulking up a smoothie, used in baked goods such as slices, mouthwatering crumbles or soaked overnight to make oat milk.

Or branch out and try some of these goodies .. from cacao, fruit free, paleo based, gluten free or crunchy granola.

The mighty Pasta

There’s nothing wrong with being a pasta lover, but some of the traditional wheat based options can be loaded with heavy starches, preservatives, carbs & sugar.
Did you know there’s delicious plant based options, rice & grain varieties .. some take less than 5 minutes to cook up!
Check out our run down all all things pasta HERE

So you’ve got all the pantry essentials your heart desires .. now to create!
With so many recipes on our site, we’ve put together a little isolation inspiration list OR .. just make your way through our list