Tasty and Easy Pantry Staple Recipes to Shake Up Your Pandemic Meals
Tired of eating the same food during lockdown? I reached out to my friends for some of their favourite pantry staple recipes and I’m also sharing a couple that the Brit and I love. We’re all at home now, so let’s get cooking!
A silver lining that I’ve found in all this COVID-19 chaos is that people are getting back to the kitchen. I suppose we don’t have much of a choice—particularly if takeout/delivery isn’t super #GetThrifty for your budget. (That being said, if you can balance supporting your local restaurants with cooking at home, do it!) The Brit does most of the cooking in our home—he’s an excellent cook—but while we don’t eat out a lot in non-COVID times, needing to stay home has us wanting more variety on the menu (without breaking the bank).
I mean, there must be creative ways to cook beans, pasta, vegetables and all those other fridge and pantry staples everyone’s stocked up on. Right? Yes!! (And thank goodness for Google!)
Which is why I gathered some great recipes from some lovely friends. (Plus a couple of mine and the Brit’s favourite recipes.) They are nourishing, (mostly) healthy recipes that feature pantry staples, so hopefully, you won’t need to brave the grocery store or add to your next delivery. Enjoy!
Bread | Mains | Snacks | Desserts
Bread
Raise your hand if you bought a giant bag of flour and some yeast that you aren’t totally sure what to do with.
No-Knead Bread
When I asked the Brit if he wanted to contribute a recipe, he immediately told me to include this no-knead bread by Jim Leahy. The Brit is always trying new bread recipes and this one has been his go-to for the past couple of weeks. I am not complaining.
French Baguette
Courtesy of the lovely Meagan Murtonen from @BotanicaandBloom in Victoria, this baguette recipe doesn’t use too many ingredients. Meagan also has a how-to video, so you’ll be in good hands with this recipe! Click here for the recipe and how-to video.
Mains (Lunch & Dinner)
Shake up lunch and dinner with these recipes. If making for dinner, you’ll likely have enough for lunch leftovers. #GetThrifty for the win!
Spicy Vegan Chipotle Chili
This big batch chili recipe is from yoga teacher—and all-around good soul—Pamela Ferman. You’ll have enough to stock the freezer for the days you don’t feel like cooking. Click here to download the recipe!
Marinated Artichoke & Turkey Pasta
My friends at Town Hall Brands represent Angie Quaale (chef and owner of Well Seasoned in the Fraser Valley). You could easily substitute the turkey with chicken or perhaps tofu. I’ve already added this recipe to our queue! Click here to download the recipe.
Artichoke & Cauliflower Soup
All the way from Scotland, food photographer and recipe developer Gill Murray sent me this recipe (plus the Easter cookie recipe below!). When this landed in my inbox, I added an artichoke and cauliflower to our grocery order. Click here for the recipe.
As you can see, Gill takes lovely photos and she gives some great tips for taking food photos with your iPhone here and you should 100% follow her on Instagram.
Summer Ratatouille
Meagan also sent me this ratatouille recipe, and I’m not mad about it. She promises that store-bought produce can easily be subbed in and I think I’ll take over the stove from the Brit for this one. I love to make soups and stews. Click here for the recipe.
Easy Pasta e Fagiole
This recipe for pasta e fagiole is from my second mum, Karen Dar Woon from Your Secret Chef. I’ve spent a lot of time in her kitchen over the last 20 years and I can promise you anything she puts out it scrumptious! Click here for the recipe.
Glowing Spiced Lentil Soup
My friend Emily Kiloh from the Cool Mom 101 podcast reminded me of this fab recipe from Angela Liddon at Oh She Glows. If you’re wondering what to do with all those dried lentils you bought, you’re welcome. It’s incredibly yummy and your carnivores won’t miss having meat in this. I promise. Click here for the recipe.
Snacks and Sides
Here are two chickpea-based that will become your go-tos for quick and easy munches.
Avocado Hummus
Another recipe from my friend Meagan, I’ll be making this when it’s warm enough to sit out on our back patio. She tells me it goes nicely with rosé, so sign me up! Click here for the recipe.
Cumin-Spiced Chickpeas with Greens
One Chickpeas, kale, olive oil, cumin, garlic salt. That’s it. And it’s so tasty. I’ve had this recipe in my arsenal for about eight years and it’s quick and easy. I actually quite like this as lunch. Click here for the recipe.
Dessert
I find baking extremely relaxing, so I’ve started booting the Brit out of the kitchen more often. Here are some sweet treats!
Easter Bunny Cookies
Courtesy of the lovely Gill Murray, these cookies are a perfect way to cheer everyone up this Easter. Click here for the recipe!
Double Chocolate Raspberry Loaf
If you want something decadent, but healthy-ish, I recently made this loaf and it was divine. My recent podcast guest Amber Romaniuk suggested it to me from her recipes and I’m so glad! If you don’t have gluten-free flour, sub in regular flour (same quantity). I also used frozen cherries (quartered) as I had run out of raspberries. Click here for the recipe.
Honey Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you worked with me in a corporate environment, you probably had at least a few of these cookies. I haven’t made these in ages, but I think I’ll half the recipe and make them over the weekend. It’s always nice to have a hygge treat for my afternoon tea break. Because… chocolate. Click here for the recipe.
Do you have a pantry staple recipe that you’d like to share? Pop it in the comments below!
Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy. Share joy. Happy Easter!
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