Even in a smaller space, you can live big. Of course, when living in a condo, you may have to downsize your kitchen and pantry. But rest assured that making great and enjoyable meals is possible with a smart and "concise" pantry. No space? No problem!Here are some pantry must-haves that create a lot of flavor, and are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
1. Olive Oil
The lightly flavored olive oil is the ultimate multi-purpose cooking oil. Not only can it be used for pan-frying or sauteeing vegetables and meat, it can also be used as a dressing for salads or as a base for your pasta sauce. Throw in some dried herbs, and you can use it as an exciting spice rub to flavor your fish and meats.
2. Honey
They say that honey is the only type of food that doesn’t go bad, so you can keep it in your kitchen, literally, forever. This is a healthier, longer-lasting substitute to sugar as well. Use it to sweeten your breakfast cereals; juices, teas and coffee; pasta sauces; as well as your meat marinades.
3. Pasta
Another must-have in your condo pantry is pasta, which is cheap, easy-to-prep and quick to cook . These come in a variety of shapes and types such as spaghetti, linguine, fettucine, penne, macaroni and fusilli, which you can use to make meal time more fun. You can even whip up an easy meal in less than 10 minutes with Purefoods Meaty Spaghetti Sauce and Tender Juicy Hotdog. Not only used for the traditional warm pasta dishes, pasta can also be used for cold salads and soups.
4. Fresh Frozen Fruits
Instead of throwing away overripe fruits such as bananas and mangos, simply peel and cut them into small sizes before storing them in airtight containers in your freezer. Once frozen, it can be used as ingredients for your smoothies, or mix it in with some simple syrup to make frozen fruit popsicles.
5. Dried herbs
Create amazing flavors for your dishes by putting together your own little collection of dried herbs. You can buy these at any grocery store, and they come in perfect small containers so they’re easy to store. The most basic herbs that give you great flavor are basil, tarragon, bay leaves, thyme, cinnamon and oregano.
6. Eggs
Eggs are the perfect, all-around ingredient. They’re used in numerous recipes for pasta, baked goods and desserts, and, of course, breakfast meals. Always keep your fridge stocked with eggs so you can easily whip up a dish for any surprise visit from your friends or family. If you want something healthier and organic, you can opt for Magnolia Brown Eggs – available at all Monterey Meatshop Branches - which come from barn-raised, cage-free chickens, so they’re healthier and have a richer taste.
