Spring is upon us, which means it's time for a little spring cleaning. For the foodie, where better to start than the pantry? Your kitchen is the foundation of all the cooking you do, and the food you eat. So we've created the ultimate kitchen guide for whole food lovers.
Clear out the clutter. Throw out anything that's off or overly processed. Make room for the new. We love storing things in recycled glass jars, not only are they practical and environmentally friendly they also look super cute.
Stock your shelves with the following essentials for clean eating. You can create tasty healthy meals, without having to traipse through the supermarket with a never ending shopping list. Remember to always purchase certified organic ingredients where possible.
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
Spices are the easiest way to flavour food, without having to use processed ingredients. Stock up on the following.
Himalaya salt
Black peppercorns
Chilli flakes
Ground cumin
Cumin seeds
Turmeric
Curry powder
Smoked paprika
Dried oregano
Dried thyme
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract
OILY GOODNESS
There's a misconception that oils are bad for you. They are in fact good fats, just make sure you choose the right ones. Always cook at the recommended heating temperature.
Virgin coconut oil (medium heat)
Avocado oil (high heat)
Extra virgin olive oil (low heat)
Ghee (this Ayurvedic favourite is super tasty & so easy to make. Here's the recipe)
Sesame oil
SAUCY TIMES
Sauces are delicious, always choose sauces with the least preservatives.
Balsamic vinegar
Rice wine vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Sriracha
Gluten free soya sauce
Whole grain mustard
Honey
DELISH ADD ONS
A collection of goodies you can use ad hoc anytime of the day, this is the moment your glass jars were waiting for...
A selection of seeds (think sesame, pumpkin, sunflower)
Nutritional yeast (gives a yummy cheesy flavour)
Mixed nuts
Coconut flakes
Dark chocolate
Nut butter
Dried cranberries
Hemp seeds
Raw cacao
Spirulina
PANTRY STAPLES
Wholegrains, tins, and things that won't go off but add bulk to your meals.
Organic oats
Wholemeal pasta
Lentils
Brown rice
Quinoa
Couscous
Canned tomatoes (don't shy away, they make a great sauce base!)
Canned beans - cannellini, kidney
Chickpeas
Veggie stock
Canned coconut milk
FROZEN
Frozen is almost as good as fresh produce, it'll save you on a rainy day so keep a good selection on hand.
Peas
Kale
Sugar snap beans
Berries
Frozen bananas (blend it, it's almost as good as ice cream)
Grained bread
Raw shrimp (for the non vegans)
Parmesan (for the non vegans. Yes you can freeze it!)
FRIDGE
Keep a selection of favourites in the fridge, these are the things you'll buy more frequently so get creative and mix them up.
Almond milk
Tofu or Tempeh
Hummus (opt for the more natural one, or make it yourself)
Kimchi (delicious and good for you)
Eggs (for the non vegans)
FRESH
We've chosen a few that have a long shelf life. Always buy in season, and always organic.
Garlic
Onions
Sweet potato
Carrots
Broccoli
Herbs
Lemons
These essentials make a great base you can easily add onto. Here's an example of what a day of food with them could look like.
PRE-BREAKFAST
Warm water with a slice of lemon + apple cider vinegar
BREAKFAST
A bowl of oats with mixed seeds, nuts, berries and cacao
MORNING TEA
A green smoothie with spinach, frozen banana, almond milk & spirulina
LUNCH
A grainy sandwich with spinach, tofu & fresh herbs drizzled in olive oil
DINNER
Quinoa with mixed veggies, shrimp, cranberries & your favourite spices
A bunch of culinary wizards from London have created a cook book The Kitchen Shelf with 100 easy recipes made with pantry essentials. Check it out for more recipe ideas.
Get cooking, get creative. Revamp your cupboards for a healthier clean eating version of you.