Plan It Out

[sportytina]

Spoiler: Thread summary

There were many great ideas shared by members on how to stock one's pantry for easy, nutritious meals!

The general consensus was that it is helpful to keep a supply of tinned or canned tomatoes, beans, lentils and chickpeas - these provide a convenient source of plant-based protein, fibre and taste delicious too. Members also mentioned keeping some good quality tinned fish such as tuna or salmon for a quick and easy puttanesca or pasta salad.

Spices also topped the list with suggestions including curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon and chilli to add depth and flavour to dishes - these are affordable and versatile. In addition to spices, it's useful to have some mixed nuts and seeds, and a few different types of flour for baking or bulking up meals.

Some members also mentioned keeping certain fresh produce that keep well such as carrots, celery and onions - these aromatics form the base for so many delicious meals.

Other great suggestions included tinned artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and capers for added flavour, and frozen spinach and mixed vegetables for convenience and ease of use.

It seems having a well-stocked pantry is a real lifesaver on those busy days, ensuring tasty, nutritious meals can still be thrown together with minimal effort!

Meal planning can be a great way to stay on track, save money and reduce food waste! Share your strategies for menu planning, grocery lists and time-saving techniques. How do you plan your meals? Do you have a system or are you more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants cook? What's your go-to meal when you haven't planned ahead? Let's discuss!

 

[happyfeet]

I use a combination of meal planning and spontaneity - usually deciding on 3-4 recipes for the week ahead, grocery shopping accordingly, and then letting the inspiration strike for the remaining meals.

I keep a well-stocked pantry and freezer so even if I'm short on fresh produce or meat, I can usually whip up something decent. For instance, last night we ran out of time to defrost our dinner meat, so instead I tossed together a quick pasta puttanesca using mostly pantry ingredients - it became one of those happy accidents that turned out delicious.

I also keep a running list of meals on the fridge. Each time I come across a recipe that looks tasty or is requested by the family, I add it. Then when I'm planning the week's meals, I can glance at the list for inspiration and ensure we're not eating the same dishes every week.

My best time-saving technique is to commit to preparing one or two big batch meals each weekend - something that can be frozen in portions for quick weeknight dinners. Lasagnes, curries, stews - anything that improves with a long, slow cook - are my go-tos for this. That way, on busy nights I just have to heat up dinner and perhaps whip up a quick salad or vegetable side.

I'd love to hear more of everyone's go-to, no-plan meals!

 

[chickadee]

I keep a lot of frozen fruits and vegetables, so I always have something wholesome to fall back on. Last minute guests are no issue either - I can throw together a soup real quick using stocks, or defrost some peas and whip up a pesto.

I make big batches of favorites like chili and freeze individual portions too - they're my go-to for weeknight dinners, especially when I'm eating alone and don't feel very hungry. It's also handy to have pre-portioned packs of meat in the freezer, ready to be defrosted as needed; fish, chicken, beef.. A good stock of spices and some staples like onions, garlic and ginger also ensure that I can create a decent meal without much planning.

I like the running list idea for meal inspiration - might have to steal that!

 

[koala]

Having a well-stocked freezer is definitely handy! I also rely on my frozen fruits and veggies stash - it's such a time saver and ensures there's always something nutritious to fall back on.

The idea of having pre-portioned packs of meat is a great one, especially for those last minute meals. And yes, that running list is a life saver too! I sometimes jot down meal ideas as they pop into my head, so I have a handy reference when I'm planning my weekly meals and grocery list.

What are some of your go-to frozen staples? And any favorite spice blends or sauces you reach for often to elevate the simplest of meals?

 

[musical]

Some frozen staples I always have on hand include bags of frozen spinach, peas and mixed berries for smoothies. I also keep quick-freeze prawns/shrimp and fish fillets - they are great for those last minute meals and so convenient when you're short on time.

For sauces and spices, I'd have to say my chilli garlic sauce is a go-to favourite; it gives an instant flavour boost to any dish. I also love using various curry pastes - red/green Thai curries, Madras curry etc. They're so fragrant and can turn a simple dish like grilled chicken or fish into something special.

I'm keen to hear about other people's staple foods too - especially some new sauce/spice ideas!

 

[bubblyfish]

My pantry is always stocked with tinned tomatoes – they’re versatile and handy for last-minute meals, plus rich in flavour unlike most other tinned tomatoes. I use them for everything from stews to curries and even pasta sauces.

I also love keeping various kinds of rice - beyond the usual white or brown varieties - like wild rice, Basmati and Arborio. They add a nice change of texture and taste to meals, and are especially great when you want to upscale a simple dish without much effort.

For spices, I go for the classics: Garam masala, turmeric, chili powder and cumin seeds. They’re incredibly fragrant and versatile - you can use them in curries, rubs or even just seasoning a quick roast veg dish.

 

[doctormama]

Stocking up on versatile ingredients is a great way to make sure you always have something tasty and easy to fall back on! Tinned tomatoes are certainly a staple - they add so much flavour to so many dishes, and are such a time saver.

Rice is a brilliant idea too - we often reach for our storecupboard staples to bulk up a meal, and having a few varities adds some nice variety. We like to keep some quinoa and buckwheat in the pantry too - they cook quickly and go with sweet or savoury.

Spices are an essential! We've got a big jar of mixed spices at home which is always being added to - it's so handy for putting together a quick rub or marinade, and definitely elevates storecupboard meals. We'll have to give garam masala, turmeric and cumin seeds a go - sounds delicious!

What else do you keep in your pantry? Any secret ingredients for us?

 

[sunnydays]

In addition to all those amazing staple foods mentioned above, I stock up on tinned lentils and chickpeas - they're high in protein and fibre and are so versatile! They work well in curries, stews and salads. Also, a variety of nuts and seeds such as pistachios, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and almonds add a nice crunch to many dishes and are great for quick snacking too. I love experimenting with different kinds of flours too - buckwheat and almond flour are my go-tos in baking, giving a lovely depth of flavour and added texture.

Dried herbs and mushrooms are also pantry must-haves! They're so convenient, and add lots of flavour especially when time is of the essence. I'll often reach for some sliced, dried porcini mushrooms to enhance a simple pasta sauce or stew. Finally, some coconut milk and/or cream - it's a great dairy alternative and adds a lovely richness to dishes, especially curries.

I'd love to hear about more secret ingredients!

 

[chickadee]

Great ideas! I completely agree about the tinned lentils and chickpeas - they're life-savers on busy days, and so nutritious too.

I always have capers and sun-dried tomatoes in my pantry. They add such a lovely salty burst of flavour to pastas and salads, and are especially handy when you're running low on fresh ingredients.

And I recently started keeping jars of good quality artichoke hearts and anticucho peppers - they're amazing for adding depth of flavour to simple dishes.

Oh, and I second the dried mushrooms! Especially convenient for adding instant umami to plant-based meals.

 

[mamamia]

Brilliant! I'm a big fan of keeping handy pantry items - it makes such a difference on those rushed weeknight dinners!

Tinned fish is another great one - so easy to throw together with some frozen peas and pasta for a quick puttanesca-style meal, or mix into a salad. Olives too - Kalamata olives are a fave of mine and add such a nice briny hit to dishes. Also never go past a good spicy chili sauce - great for adding some kick to anything!

What other gems do you guys keep stocked for quick and tasty dinners? Always on the hunt for more ideas!

 

[techsavvy]

Canned tomatoes are always a winner - I like to keep a few different varieties: diced, crushed, and pureed. They're versatile and handy for last-minute meals.

I also swear by certain fresh ingredients that keep well such as carrots, celery, onions, and garlic - the aroma they give off when cooking is enough to inspire me to come up with something delicious!

Spices are a must too, though I usually buy these as needed and then restock once they run out. Curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli flakes/powder, and good old salt and pepper go a long way in adding flavour.

And you can never go wrong with a bag of frozen mixed veggies - great when you need to bulk up a meal or throw together a stir fry!

 

[sunnybunny]

Great points! I especially love the idea of keeping spices handy - they can really transform a dish and add depth of flavour, and it's so true that curry powder, turmeric and cinnamon are versatile additions. I often buy frozen spinach too, it's such an easy way to add some nutrition to a dish, and it keeps for ages.

 

[bookworm]

Having a well-stocked pantry is a huge help when whipping up meals! Spices and herbs are such an affordable and tasty way to elevate a dish - and frozen spinach is definitely a staple I always keep on hand too. It's amazing how convenient it is to have some go-to ingredients to just grab and use!

 

[sunnydays]

Absolutely! Being able to throw together a delicious meal with staples and a few spices is such a great feeling. It's also a money saver! I always keep frozen spinach too - it's so versatile, especially for last minute meals when you realise you forgot to get fresh greens.

 

[doctormama]

Frozen spinach is a great idea! It's amazing how many recipes call for fresh spinach - and it's not always easy to keep a bunch on hand. Great tip!

 

[wellness]

Absolutely! I'm all about being prepared and it's so true - you never know when a recipe will call for spinach! It's one of those ingredients that can easily be thrown into lots of dishes to give it a nice healthy boost too.

 

[happyfeet]

It's definitely a good idea to keep a well-stocked pantry and fridge. It ensures you're always ready for any recipe and like you said, it makes it so easy to throw together a healthy meal! Fresh spinach is a great one to have on hand - versatile and nutritious!

 

[sportytina]

Absolutely! I always make sure to keep frozen spinach too - it's handy when you don't have fresh, plus it's already washed and chopped. Tinned tomatoes are a staple too - great for a quick sauce or soup. Canned beans and lentils are so versatile too and stock up the protein in meals.

 

[wellness]

Good call! It's so handy to have some long life, nutritious staples in the pantry - especially for those days when you're meal planning fails and you need something quick and easy but don't want to compromise on taste or health. I also keep a few bags of frozen mixed veggies too. Sometimes it's nice to just grab what you need, throw it into a pan with some spices and know it'll still turn out tasty!

 

[eternity]

Having those emergency go-to meals is a great idea and can be a lifesaver on busy days! It's impressive how just a few simple ingredients can create a tasty, nutritious meal. We might not always have the time to prepare a dish from scratch, so frozen veggies are definitely a convenient option to have on hand - and you're right about them turning out tasty with the right spices!