The best ingredients to stock up on this autumn
Foods with a very long shelf-life are brilliant for filling your pantry with during the autumn ready for winter when trips to the shop are few and far between.
This winter, there’s even more reason to be prepared and stocked up; with Coronavirus restrictions still in place, many people are trying to visit the shops as little as possible.
Here are some brilliant, inexpensive and versatile ingredients to stockpile this winter that all have a very long shelf life.
Pasta
Pasta flew off the shelves when the country first went into lockdown; it’s versatile, inexpensive and easy to cook with. Now is a great moment to stock up on your favourite pasta shapes – most dried pasta will keep up to two years.
Rice
Simple white rice is another staple ingredient that goes a long way – it’s extremely filling, can be used in a huge range of dishes and has a remarkably long shelf-life; stored properly it can last decades and more.
Oats
Oats also tick all the boxes – they are inexpensive, filling, nutritious, and perfect to store through winter in your pantry. Porridge is a brilliant warming choice for a winter breakfast – get creative with the toppings, make overnight oats, or use to make your own granola and eat with yoghurt.
Mustard
This brilliant spread is perfect for everything from sauces to sandwiches. Unopened, a jar will last up to three years – when it’s opened, if stored properly, can last for a year.
Tinned tomatoes
Tomatoes and other canned vegetables are a brilliant alternative to eating fresh; they’re generally cheaper, last for up to two years, and have just as many nutrients as buying fresh veg. This is a brilliant solution in winter when people are generally less willing to go to the supermarket as often.
Dried beans and lentils
Perfect for soups, stews, casseroles and chillis, dried beans and lentils are a pantry superhero. They’re full of fibre, inexpensive to buy and last for years when stored well.
Tinned tuna and other tinned fish
Tinned tuna, salmon, anchovies and other canned fish all have an incredibly long shelf life and are cheap to buy. You can use them to make pasta dishes, tuna melt sandwiches, fish cakes and more.
Honey
Honey is a brilliant natural sweetener that lasts indefinitely. If it crystallises, try heating in the microwave for 20 seconds, remove and stir, then microwave for another 20 seconds, until you reach the desired consistency.
Powdered milk
UHT milk or long-life milk is a practical choice for many people who rely on milk to for their coffee and tea, and keeping a bottle in your pantry will help ensure you never run out of milk. Powdered milk is another brilliant choice; you can use it to make milk any time you need it, but it’s also great for baking – you can use it to make your own sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk, as well as whipped cream, coffee creamer and even yoghurt and cheese!
Bouillon cubes
Beef, chicken and vegetable bouillon cubes can add instant flavour to your cooking and last years at a time, so are brilliant to always keep on hand.
What are your favourite ingredients to stock up on? Leave your wisdom in the comments below!
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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