It was another Friday night at home (you know we like those) and therefore the need for an easy, healthy dinner. I turned to a stack of recipes, recently clipped, for ideas and inspiration. I very quickly realized that my secret weapon in this battle for a quick, healthy dinner at home was a well-stocked pantry. For instance, I had a recipe for grilled chicken with an apricot glaze. All I needed for the glaze was apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and garlic. Check. Then, wanting to use up the odds and ends of vegetables from the week, I used white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic (purchased by the jar) to transform them into a marinated chopped vegetable salad.
I then turned to a recipe for Ginger-Cilantro Rice. I had cilantro on hand and transformed it into this colorful side dish with minced ginger (also purchased by the jar), green onions, chicken broth, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Delicious.
In addition to those items already mentioned, I also try to keep plain yogurt, almond oil, honey, dried fruit, nuts, soy sauce, breadcrumbs, tuna, green chilis, lemons, diced tomatoes, black beans, chick peas, and whole grains in my pantry. These pantry staples allow me come home from the market with fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins knowing that with a little mixing, matching, energy, and inspiration, a tasty home-cooked meal awaits, and in my book – there’s nothing better!
