#pantry-staples

#pantry-staples

To help you avoid a game of green bean roulette, I recently tried 10 kinds of canned green beans so you don't have to. There are more options out there than one might think. From Del Monte to Libby's to store brands, plenty of players throw their beans in the ring and in multiple styles too, including French-style, Italian-style, whole green beans, and more. I picked up a hearty sampling and ranked them all based primarily on tenderness and texture, flavor, and ingredient add-ins.

Your dinner meal should contain three major elements: starch, protein, and vegetables. This formula covers the essential macronutrients of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, while also bringing vitamins, minerals, and freshness with the vegetables. Starches include carb-heavy staples like pasta, bread, corn, rice, potatoes, and whole ancient grains like farro, quinoa, and barley. Proteins run the gamut from red meat, poultry, and fish to tofu, beans, and lentils.

Guarnaschelli says that she uses kosher salt for cheaper applications, like salting water for cooking pasta or what she refers to as "heavy lifting," when she'll need to use handfuls of the salt. Kosher salt is the workhorse of professional kitchens, especially Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, as it's hollow flakes of salt are lighter and can be used more liberally without the risk of over-seasoning.

Now, if you're asking why, it's because carrots release more antioxidants than other veggies during the canning process - specifically beta carotene, which is essential for things like good vision, immune function, and to protect against chronic diseases. Not to mention, carrots make for a tasty side dish that most adults and kids alike can agree on. They don't get the same bad rap as something like broccoli or Brussels sprouts, which was why I set out to collect all the brands of store-bought canned carrots.

At the grocery store, I am a wide-eyed baby with a wholly undeveloped sense of object permanence. What do I have at home? Your guess is as good as mine. It wouldn't hurt to grab a can of beans, you know, just in case the reserves are low. Well, peekaboo. At present writing, there are nine cans of chickpeas in my pantry.

Let's be honest - fried rice is a weeknight hero. You've got the rice, the veggies, maybe some eggs or another protein, and it gets the job done. But with just one addition, you can take it from good enough to something you'll actually look forward to eating: sweet chili sauce. This little condiment balances gentle sweetness with mild heat, instantly giving fried rice a restaurant-level upgrade.

Buying in bulk at Costco allows home bakers to stock essential pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder at incredible savings compared to traditional grocery stores.

Single householders aged 65 and over are increasing as a proportion of the population, highlighting a significant demographic shift towards solo living and cooking for one.

Canned tuna is a versatile ingredient stored for ages that complements salads, casseroles, and notably, makes excellent sandwiches mixed with creamy mayonnaise.

A well-stocked pantry with bold flavors is essential for home cooking, allowing creative exploration of familiar ingredients like mango chutney for diverse meals.

Canned lentils are a nutrient-dense, affordable pantry staple that require minimal prep, allowing for diverse and creative meal options while being easy to store.

While canned sweetcorn is a pantry staple enjoyed for its sweet flavor and bright color, not all brands are created equal. Stop & Shop’s canned corn, ranked as the worst option, suffers from mealy texture and excessive saltiness, ultimately falling short of flavor expectations and presenting an unappetizing paler color despite being marketed as 'golden corn.' This demonstrates the importance of choosing quality over price in the canned vegetables aisle. In contrast, better brands ensure a more satisfying experience, with plump kernels that deliver on taste.