A whole food pantry that makes everyday cooking easier

A useful pantry is one you cook from. It doesn’t have to look a certain way or contain every grain, seed and superfood on the shelf.

If you want to make some healthy changes to your family's diet, here are a few tips to get you started. Firstly, we recommend you begin with the meals your household likes, then choose a small collection of ingredients that helps you make them regularly.

Choose a few meal foundations

Keep two or three favourites such as oats, rice, pasta, couscous or quinoa. Think about when you’ll use them: oats for breakfast, rice for curries and pasta for a quick dinner may be enough to start.

Add convenient protein options

Tinned chickpeas, beans and lentils are handy when time is short. Dried legumes can also suit your routine if you enjoy preparing them. Nuts, seeds and nut butters add more possibilities for snacks and meals.

Keep flavour close by

Olive oil, tinned tomatoes, vinegar, tahini and a few favourite herbs and spices can turn similar ingredients into different meals. Buy small amounts of spices you’re trying for the first time.

Make a few repeatable combinations

Try these as starting points:

• Rice, chickpeas, vegetables and a favourite sauce.
• Pasta, tinned tomatoes, lentils and herbs.
• Couscous, roast vegetables and lemon-tahini dressing.
• Oats, fruit, seeds and your preferred milk.

Keep a short list of these combinations inside the pantry door for evenings when inspiration is low.

Refill thoughtfully

Store ingredients in clean, dry, sealed containers and label them with the name and relevant date. Use older stock first. When practical, finish and clean a container before adding a new purchase, rather than continually topping it up.

At Yamba Wholefoods, you can buy small quantities while you work out what earns a regular place in your kitchen. Build slowly, cook often and let your pantry reflect real life.