Say goodbye to pests and stale flavours when you store these four ingredients properly in your pantry.  

Rice 

Rice is the preferred side dish for many, thus it’s a versatile and budget friendly pantry staple. From curry to stew to yummy chicken à la king, it goes with each dish perfectly. Store your uncooked white rice in an airtight container in a cool environment to keep mites away and to keep it from spoiling. Discard it right away if you notice any changes in texture, taste, see signs of mould or if you notice any small bugs among the grains. 

Flour 

Flour should always be on hand for delicious bakes and to be used as a cooking ingredient (think battered fish or chicken). To keep your flour fresher for longer, it should be stored in an airtight ceramic or stoneware container in a dark place (like a cupboard). Keeping it in a dark place will prevent light exposure to the flour, which could cause oxidation and increased heat. You can also place bay leaves in the flour to deter bugs, as it is a natural insect repellent. How do you know if your flour has gone off? Be on the lookout for it turning yellow or grey. It will also have a stale and funky smell. 

Olive oil 

Since we use it so much, it could be tempting to leave your bottle of olive oil open by the stove for convenience, but it’s likely to go bad sooner. Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age and should be used within two months after opening. Keep your olive oil in an airtight container in a dark place in the back of your cupboard or pantry. The taste of olive oil should be fresh and fruity: if it tastes like stale nuts or wax crayons, it has gone bad. 

Sugar 

Leaving sugar in the original paper bag you bought it in can be a recipe for disaster. The paper can easily allow moisture and pests (looking at you, ants) to get in. It’s best to store sugar at room temperature in an airtight container. When stored, brown sugar is especially prone to hardening. If you want to soften it up before use, simply add a wedge of apple or a small piece of bread to your container overnight. The moisture from the apple and bread will transfer to the sugar to soften it.  

Image: Pexels

The post How to store these 4 pantry staples  appeared first on MyKitchen.

A well-stocked pantry is the key to quick and easy meal preparation. With the right staples on hand, you can whip up delicious dishes without the need for frequent grocery trips. Here are five essential pantry staples to always keep stocked.  

Canned tomatoes 

Canned tomatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to sauces and casseroles. Whether diced, crushed, or whole, they add a rich, savoury base to many recipes and are a must-have for any pantry. 

Beans and legumes 

Beans and legumes, such as kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils, are excellent sources of protein and fibre. They can be used in salads, soups, and main dishes. Canned beans are convenient for quick meals, while dried beans are cost-effective and can be cooked in batches for future use. 

Rice and pasta  

These staples are the backbone of many meals and can serve as a base for a variety of dishes. Brown rice, white rice, and various types of pasta are all great options. They have a long shelf life and can be paired with vegetables, meats, or sauces for a satisfying meal.  

Broth and stock 

Keeping vegetable, chicken, or beef broth on hand can elevate your cooking. Broth adds depth of flavour to soups, stews, and sauces. Choose low-sodium varieties to control the salt content in your dishes. 

Spices and seasonings 

A good selection of spices and seasonings can transform any dish. Essential spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano should be pantry staples. They allow you to enhance the flavour of your meals and experiment with different cuisines. 

@scheckeats ep. 1 SPICES #spices #seasoning #cooking #college #collegeeats #foodtiktok #collegecooking #collegefood [IB @sophie.alysse @theres.food.at.home ♬ Gravity Falls Intro (Electro) – Blaze Blue

Having these five pantry staples on hand ensures you’re always prepared to create delicious, home-cooked meals with ease. 

Image: Zhann Solomons

The post 5 essential staples your kitchen (always) needs  appeared first on MyKitchen.

Keep your pantry stocked (and your grocery bill low) with these must-have grocery items. But don’t underestimate its flavour and nutritional value! Here are why these pantry staples rock, plus yummy ways you can use them. 

Pilchards 

Tinned fish like pilchards are the perfect pantry staple when your budget is tight. This tasty and versatile fish goes well with stews, curries, pasta and even on a slice of toast! It’s not only yummy but nutritious as well. Pilchards are packed with vitamin D to help keep your immune system healthy. So, make sure to grab a tin on your next food haul. 

In need of a quick and tasty lunch? Impress your friends with this Buddha bowl with pilchard’s recipe. All you need is ½ cup cooked brown rice,1 Tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tsp vegetable oil, 5 baby tomatoes (quartered), 1 mini cucumber (sliced) zest and juice of ½ lemon, 155 g tin pilchards in tomato sauce (flaked) and a handful of coriander. 

Mix the rice, parsley and oil. Toss tomatoes, cucumber, lemon zest and juice together and season to taste. When ready to eat, build your bowl with the rice at the bottom, then the pilchards, salad and coriander. And voila! 

Brown rice 

Delicious, nutritious and versatile – it’s no surprise that brown rice is on this list. While there are various types, rice is commonly categorised into white and brown rice. It’s the base of most of the world’s delicious cuisines like curries, stews, sushi and even desserts like rice pudding. “Rice is a staple in diets all around the world and provides a rich source of carbohydrates which is the body’s primary fuel,” says registered dietitian Stefani Sassos. 

But why brown and not white rice? This healthy grain is affordable and jam-packed with protein and fibre, which stabilises your blood sugar levels and keeps you fuller for longer. This whole grain is a budget-friendly staple is a must in any pantry.  

 

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Try these yummy brown rice recipes: 

Beef stir-fry with brown rice 

Brown rice pilaf 

Smoked snoek bowls with veggies and brown rice 

Frozen veggies  

A great way to avoid wastage is to buy frozen veggies. It’s often a cheaper alternative to fresh vegetables, and because you can buy mixed variants, it’s a fantastic source of nutrients in just one bag. From frozen spinach, broccoli and carrots to corn and peas, use your frozen vegetables to spruce up any meal and pop the rest back in the freezer to save it for the next delicious feast. 

These delicious frozen fruit and veg recipes perfect for busy schedules.  

Peanut butter 

From nutty sweet treats to being the key ingredient in your favourite Thai dishes or simply enjoyed on a slice of toast with banana (yum) – peanut butter is a delicious and versatile favourite in every household. Boost your plant-based protein intake when you eat peanut butter. Plus, it’s jam-packed with vitamins and minerals and contains heart-healthy fats that help lower bad cholesterol. 

Try these tasty sweet and savoury peanut butter dishes: 

Deconstructed chicken pies with peanut butter 

Peanut butter clusters with white chocolate and cranberries 

Mascarpone, peanut butter and banana tart 

Sugar snap pad Thai with peanut sauce 

Photography: Unsplash

The post 5 pocket-friendly pantry staples appeared first on MyKitchen.

You have to do the groceries, so you may as well shop smart. Here are some ideas to make your meals go the distance.  

Make Meat Matter Less 

It’s easy to eat an entire piece of meat when it’s the main protein of your meal. So to make the meat go further, slice it up and add it to your dish as an additional element. This way you can enjoy it for a few meals and be pushed to make veggies and starches special.  

Fill Up On Simple Staples 

Bulk up your dish, and eliminate waste, by using up all your veggies. Things like peppers, broccoli, brinjals, baby marrows, corn and butternut will make the meal go further as well as add tons of flavour. Other pantry staples like tinned beans, pasta, lentils, pap, potatoes and rice are also easy to add.  

Go Big With A Batch Cook 

Start cooking double (or triple) the quantities of your meals – the same effort and time, but a lot more of an outcome! Dishes like stew, lasagna and stir-fry freeze well for a few months and are filling in their own right.   

Plan Of Action 

Pick a day to plan your meals for the week or month, depending on how often you shop. It sounds like a daunting task, but it will be worth it. Draw up a skeleton of what you’d like to cook and the non-perishable items needed for each meal.  

Keep an eye on grocery catalogues for monthly deals. Make sure to sign up for loyalty cards to save with any in-store deals. These points do add up and can contribute towards a free ingredient, discounted clothing or well-deserved luxuries.  

The Spice Is Right 

Spices and herbs are an inexpensive way to add flavour to almost any meal. Get more use out of your herb and spice drawer with these easy combinations for a flash of flavour.  

DUKKAH SPICE 

¼ cup roasted and chopped hazelnuts 
2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
3 tbsp shelled and chopped pistachios
1 tbsp fennel seeds 
1 tbsp cumin seeds 
1 tsp coriander seeds 
½ tsp cayenne pepper salt 

ITALIAN HERBS 

2 tbsp dried basil 
1 tbsp dried oregano 
1 tbsp dried rosemary 
1 tbsp dried thyme 
2 tsp garlic powder 

ZA’ATAR 

1 Tbsp dried thyme 
1 Tbsp whole cumin seeds 
1 Tbsp coriander seeds
1 Tbsp ground toasted white sesame seeds
3 Tbsp ground sumac
½ tsp salt 
1 tbsp dried marjoram or oregano  

GREEK SPICE BLEND 

1 tbsp dried basil 
½ tsp salt 
1 ½  tbsp dried oregano 
1 tsp garlic powder 
2 tsp onion powder 
3 tsp dried dill 
1 ½ tsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried parsley 
2 tsp dried thyme 
¼ tsp cinnamon 
1 tsp dried marjoram or oregano  

Top Tip: 
Roasting or toasting nuts and sesame seeds deepens the flavour of the seasoning. For each mix, blend the ingredients in a food processor or grind together using a mortar and pestle.  

Rock Your Stock 

Cooking up your own stock is an easy and cost-effective way to use up veggies, bones and seasonings you already have on hand. The next time you roast a chicken for dinner, set aside the leftover carcass.  

Add it to a large pot along with two sticks of chopped celery, one chopped red onion, two chopped carrots, a generous crack of salt and pepper and a handful of coriander and parsley with their stems. Fill the pot with water to cover the chicken, bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer.   

Cover and simmer for 5-6 hours. Allow your stock to cool, then strain using a sieve. Freeze the stock by filling an ice tray with the liquid. When you next need stock, pop one cube out. No mess or fuss! 

Words by Sjaan Van Der Ploeg
Photography: Getty Images, Shutterstock

The post Cost-Effective Meal Planning For The Win appeared first on MyKitchen.

Start the new year by finding fun and new ways to use staple cooking tools for a kitchen refresh with these must-haves from @home. Plus, MyKitchen magazine readers get an exclusive discount when buying selected editor’s choice products online when using the voucher code in your latest copy of MK. 

1. Sieve with Black Handle
Want lump-free gravy every time? Just strain it through this for a silky smooth sauce.

2. Victorinox Black Veg Peeler
Use your veggie peeler to easily remove those pesky seeds from bell peppers and chillies.

3. Four-sided Square Grater with Storage Container
Whenever you’re baking with butter, grate it up before beating it with your dry ingredients to prevent them from flying everywhere.

4. Baccarat Marble Pestle and Mortar
Make the best guacamole ever by mashing up your ingredients with one of these.

5. Inspire Silicone Muffin Pan
Crack an egg into each hole and fill with spinach and grated cheese. Bake until set for healthy egg muffins.

6. Ciroa Black Whisk
Instead of a wooden spoon or spatula,  use a whisk to scramble your eggs for a fluffier texture.

Shop all products at @home and home.co.za. 

The post It’s time for a kitchen basics refresh with @home appeared first on MyKitchen.