16 Must Have Ingredients In Your Kitchen
Every cupboard and fridge should be prepared for everyday meals with essential ingredients that are needed in most dishes. Here is our run down of 16 ingredients we feel you should have in your kitchen to save you having to run to the supermarket at the last minute….
1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is essential for any kitchen. Oil is used in everday cooking and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is great drizzled on food stuch as steak and chicken. It can also be used to make beautiful salad dressings and when it is teamed with balsamic vinegar, it is lovely to dip bread into.
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2. Salt
Not much needs to be said as to why salt is an essential ingredient to anyone’s kitchen. It is a brilliant seasoning and can bring out so many flavours in both savoury and sweet dishes.
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3. Pepper
Pepper is good to add, both in the cooking process and once you have served up a meal if you want to bring that extra bit of kick to your dish.
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4. Herbs
Different herbs marry perfectly with certain meats, rosemary and lamb, thyme and chicken, oregano and rib-eye steak. Not only do herbs bring an amazing taste to a meal they are also packed with lots of antioxidents.
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5. Garlic
You never know when you want to add a bit of garlic to a dish and it really adds a lot of flavour to all kinds of meals. Cooked garlic can add a sweet taste and in its raw state, brings a deep spicy bite and can pack a punch to a normally ordinary spag bowl.
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6. Balsamic Vinegar
As previously stated, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil make a great dipping element for a nice piece of crusty bread. It can also bring a delightful taste to a salad and is lovely drizzled on pork. Be careful not to drench your food in it though as too much can sometimes be overwhelming.
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7. Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is a good thickening agent, adding the tomatoey flavour you want without adding a lot of liquid. It is great in bolognese’s, cottage pies and is also as a tasty pizza base.
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8. Tinned Tomatoes
Tinned tomatoes keep for ages in the cupboard so it is always handy buying them in bulk because they are used so often in cooking various sauces, tagines and cottage pies.
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9. Chicken Stock
Any stock cubes are essential in a kitchen cupboard however chicken stock is brilliant for soups, pies, boiling potatoes in, bases for gravy/sauces and sauteing vegetables.
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10. Onions
Not a lot needs to be said about onions. Cooked, they are the base for most sauces and dishes and raw red onions give a great kick and crunch to a salad.
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11. Eggs
Eggs are brilliant for breakfast lunch and dinner. Whether you like them boiled, scrambled, poached or fried, they are a quick fix to cure your hunger needs. A must for any kitchen and for baking purposes also.
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12. Lemons
Lemons don’t only freshness up a meal with a subtle sharpness but are also a lovely accompaniment with fish and chicken.
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13. Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of Soda is an alkali that can help raise soda breads and cakes. Not only is it an essential for baking but is a brilliant cleaning agent also.
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14. Honey
Honey can last for ages in the cupboard and is perfect to use as a sweetener or to just spread on a piece of toast. Honey is also great with some hot water if you are feeling under the weather.
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15. Sugar
Sugar is essential when you want to spend your weekends baking up tasty treats for your family and friends. It’s also extremely handy to have if you like your tea that little bit sweeter.
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16. Chocolate
Well… why not?!
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