Hello! Im Katie Pix and I'm back on FoodTube with some super ideas, we're going to blow away the cobwebs of your store cupboard
To make it a cooking opportunity extraordinaire
So look at your store cupboard in zones, I'm going to talk you through my favourites today, and we'll work out how we can piece those together for you too
Zone 1, oils
Different oils are great for different types of cooking so if you like making your own salad dressing
Go extra virgin olive oil
If you like deep frying go vegetable oil, burns at a much higher temperature
Nut and seed oils are really good for vegans for 03 fatty acids
Zone 2, stock cubes
A great way to add seasoning and flavour to your dishes
try and get the low salt ones they're normally just as good, and for anyone who's gluten free do make sure check the package as this can often be where they sneak in wheat and flour without you knowing
Zone 3, pulses
Lentils, beans, peas, they're really low in fat, really high in protein, fibre and minerals
And they go towards one of your 5 a day
Brilliant
Zone 4, pasta, rice and noodles
These have a fantastic shelf life and what's even better is if you don't really know what to do with it or you've just got the dregs of a packet
Crush them all up and cook them off in your minestrone soup or even in a casserole or stew
Absolutely delicious, also where possible, try to switch to the wholegrain, just that little bit better for you
Zone 5, flour
Great for baking of course but also for thickening sauces, coating meat and of course for one cup pancakes, check it out
Zone 6, bottle and jars, aka condiments
Here's a little tip for you, combine a tablespoon of mustard and a tablespoon of honey and smother it on your meat or veg before you roast it and it will add a beautiful extra flavour
Also, did you know tomato puree is so highly concentrated, one table spoon goes towards one of your 5 a day too, extra win
Zone 7, tinned foods
Of course you can get lots of tinned pulses, great for when you're making soups or stews, and tinned fish too
This stuff is fantastic, if you want to know some great recipes for tinned fish, make sure you check out my mate Bart and his tinned fish book, it's fantastic
Also if you can't get through a whole tin make sure you store whatever is left in the fridge or freezer to be used at a later date
Zone 8, nuts and seeds
A good source of heart healthy, unsaturated fats
So really good for snacking, go for these instead
Zone 9, herbs and spices
Now there's a huge world of these out there, so I'm going to tell you my favourites
Chilli, great for adding an extra heat to any of your dishes
Oregano, big fan for anyone who likes Italian cuisine
And also cinnamon, not just for sweet dishes but also for savory, just really bringing out those beautiful undertones and flavours of sweetness
Herbs and spices can also be really good for you, so turmeric, coriander, cumin, mustard seeds are all super super high in iron
So try adding those to your dishes too
Zone 10, my bonus features
These are things I can't imagine not having in my store cupboard
But it's totally optional and down to you, so soy sauce, I love it
Just as another way of seasoning my favourite dishes
Also porridge oats, great in the morning but also great for my Sunday crumble
What do you have in your bonus features, let me know in the comments box below
So all of these things can be mixed and matched for a perfect mid week meal
Perhaps you want some porridge with a little bit of nuts and seeds
and some honey for a delicious breakfast option
Or even some tinned tuna with some pulses mixed up with your pasta and tomato paste
Bobs your uncle, you've got a fantastic mid week meal
They've all got a long shelf life, they're relatively inexpensive
Happy shopping people!