I make sure I always have stock of these basic ingredients in my kitchen, they come in handy so often!
Noodles
Pasta
Rice
Flour
Oats - for your porridge, for quick flapjacks and. Pulses. Haricot beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, black eyes beans, butter beans. A great source of protein, a fabulous alternative to meat and so many ways to use them.
Pine nuts - to put the finishing touch to your salads and ideal to snack on
Ginger
Coconut
Olive Oil
Hard cheese - Pecorino or Parmesan can add flavour to anything and will last for ages. Sprinkle over pasta for a final touch.
Butter - For cooking, greasing, baking, flavouring sauces, softening up mash, and a million things besides
Homemade relish or chutney - Instantly adds a bit of interest to meat or cheese.
Garlic cloves
Breadcrumbs - Use in gratins or crumbles, to instantly thicken sauces or to make stuffing
Sliced bread - for toast on demand
Frozen soups - Defrost in a pan and warm up your insides in a second