I always make sure these goodies are at the ready when I'm starting a new recipe or going back to tried-and-true favorites.
The Basics
Pasta
Whatever works best for your recipe. I love orzo, too, to make a simple caprese salad.
Good tomato sauce
If you buy jarred, look for Victoria. It’s just a few simple ingredients that taste really fresh. If you want to make it yourself, check out Smitten Kitchen’s 3-ingredient recipe. Easy and delicious!
Cheeses
Brie is the perfect topper for a toast with mustard, pears and arugula.
Fresh mozzarella I use on “pizza toast” for my kiddo, in a caprese salad, on a fresh Greek Salad or in this Spaghetti Squash Bake.
Smoked gouda goes well with just about any cracker.
Smoked mozzarella is perfect on this Cilantro Pesto Pizza.
Goat cheese can enrich any pasta dish, and also is vital to this tasty Lemon Bacon Goat Cheese sauce you can add to grilled peppers, sandwiches…or just about anything!
Crusty bread
I’m a sucker for a good sourdough! Turn into garlic bread, a good (fake) turkey sandwich or pizza toast.
Greek yogurt
I love the versatility of this because it can replace sour cream, enrich a quiche, or just be mixed with fruit and granola for a yummy breakfast.
Quinoa
Quick-cooking quinoa (say that 3 times fast!) is another versatile grain, packed with protein, that’s perfect for last-minute stir frys. I also love it in these yummy Quinoa Cups that can be breakfast or just a snack.
Basmati Rice
This one cooks quickly too, and is my go-to for accompanying curries.
Fruits & Veggies
Asparagus
Grill em, roast em, or blanch em to put in scrambled eggs (with goat cheese and chives) or a summery salad.
Grape Tomatoes
These are an easy lunchbox staple for my kid, but also perfect for salads and pastas.
Kale
My favorite salad is made with chiffonaded (is that a word?) lacinato kale. Either type of kale can also be great for kid-friendly kale chips.
Bell Peppers
I use peppers in fajitas and chili, or roast them on the grill (with this lemon goat cheese).
Onions
They are vital for infusing flavor into just about any dish!
Lemons & Limes
Lemons are essential for this Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette, my famous Lemon Curry Hummus or these Seitan & Veggie Fajitas. And lemon zest is an easy way to brighten up any rich dish.
Limes are great for spicing up curries, tacos or guacamole, and are key to flavor in this amazing Tortilla Soup.
Mushrooms
Whether they’re fresh or canned, mushrooms can add heft to any dish. I love shiitakes in a risotto along with asparagus and parmesan, sautéed to a crisp and topped on a pizza, or as an accompaniment to a veggie-filled stir fry.
Arugula
Top with lemon, olive and shaved parmesan for a refreshing salad, or add to a toast with mustard, cheese and fruit.
Cucumber
I love getting cucumbers into a Greek salad or tabbouleh for a fresh, healthy dish any time of year.
Squash
Spaghetti squash is simple to make and makes for a healthy pasta alternative. I also love butternut squash to put into a simple summer salad.
Frozen green vegetables
Veggies like broccoli and green beans can be blanched and sautéed a thousand ways. Great to have on hand.
Frozen fruit
I always package up fruit (bananas, strawberries, blueberries) that’s about past its prime and stick it in the freezer so I can make smoothies, healthy popsicles or breads.
Herbs & Spices
Basil
Egg frittatas, caprese salads, stir frys, you name it. Basil is my everything.
Garlic Salt
My mom always made garlic bread with this when I was a kid. And now I use it on toasts, pastas, stir frys…it’s a great two for one!
Curry Powder
This spice is my go-to for my hummus, goes in my chili, and even on this amazing Curried Kale Salad. And the spices included have great health benefits!
Cilantro
Yeah, in just about anything inspired by Latin cuisine. I just made a Cilantro Pesto for gifts for Christmas or you can put it on this delicious pizza.
Italian Parsley
Also a good ingredient in any pesto/pasta recipe, but also, this White Bean Dip I stole from Giada.
Better than Bouillon or Rapunzel Bouillon Cubes
An easy way to make instant veggie broth!
Dill (dried or fresh, depending on how much you use it)
I love fresh dill in any sort of Mediterranean dish, but dried dill can be a useful addition to a fresh salad or eggs.
Proteins
Tofu
Bake it, pan fry it, chop it up in salads or stir frys. I always go with extra firm, but silken is a good addition to homemade Miso.
Seitan
I always have the strips on hand for stir fry, but the slices are also a good addition to homemade Reuben Sandwiches (my favorite from the Chicago Diner!).
Cashews
Snack on them or top stir frys with them. They’re also a great addition to this Curried Kale Salad.
Condiments
Miso Paste
When I’m feeling like I need serious umami, I just add a couple tablespoons of white miso paste to hot water along with a handful of spinach, thinly sliced dried seaweed (and silken tofu if I have it on hand) for a warming treat.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Castelvetrano Olives and Capers
Perfect when you need a salty addition to pasta, pizza or salad.
Dijon Mustard
I use this in my Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette, but also on any savory toasts combined with fruit and cheese.
Canned Goods
Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas
Lemon Curry Hummus is a go-to for any party I’m hosting or contributing to. It was one of the first things my kiddo started eating (a great source of protein for a meatless child), and now he LOVES curry...and generally won’t ever eat the store-bought versions of hummus.
Black Beans
Nachos! Chili! Tacos! These beans are healthy and a great addition to so many things that need a kick of protein.
Green Chiles (unless you can find them fresh!)
Nachos! Tacos! Huevos Rancheros! I am in love with real New Mexican green chiles and had the best breakfast burrito of my life at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a few years ago because it was packed with the fresh-roasted version. One of my favorite ingredients, especially since you never know how spicy they’re going to be.
Coconut Milk
Great for curries, soups and more.
The Basics
Pasta
Whatever works best for your recipe. I love orzo, too, to make a simple caprese salad.
Good tomato sauce
If you buy jarred, look for Victoria. It’s just a few simple ingredients that taste really fresh. If you want to make it yourself, check out Smitten Kitchen’s 3-ingredient recipe. Easy and delicious!
Cheeses
Brie is the perfect topper for a toast with mustard, pears and arugula.
Fresh mozzarella I use on “pizza toast” for my kiddo, in a caprese salad, on a fresh Greek Salad or in this Spaghetti Squash Bake.
Smoked gouda goes well with just about any cracker.
Smoked mozzarella is perfect on this Cilantro Pesto Pizza.
Goat cheese can enrich any pasta dish, and also is vital to this tasty Lemon Bacon Goat Cheese sauce you can add to grilled peppers, sandwiches…or just about anything!
Crusty bread
I’m a sucker for a good sourdough! Turn into garlic bread, a good (fake) turkey sandwich or pizza toast.
Greek yogurt
I love the versatility of this because it can replace sour cream, enrich a quiche, or just be mixed with fruit and granola for a yummy breakfast.
Quinoa
Quick-cooking quinoa (say that 3 times fast!) is another versatile grain, packed with protein, that’s perfect for last-minute stir frys. I also love it in these yummy Quinoa Cups that can be breakfast or just a snack.
Basmati Rice
This one cooks quickly too, and is my go-to for accompanying curries.
Fruits & Veggies
Asparagus
Grill em, roast em, or blanch em to put in scrambled eggs (with goat cheese and chives) or a summery salad.
Grape Tomatoes
These are an easy lunchbox staple for my kid, but also perfect for salads and pastas.
Kale
My favorite salad is made with chiffonaded (is that a word?) lacinato kale. Either type of kale can also be great for kid-friendly kale chips.
Bell Peppers
I use peppers in fajitas and chili, or roast them on the grill (with this lemon goat cheese).
Onions
They are vital for infusing flavor into just about any dish!
Lemons & Limes
Lemons are essential for this Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette, my famous Lemon Curry Hummus or these Seitan & Veggie Fajitas. And lemon zest is an easy way to brighten up any rich dish.
Limes are great for spicing up curries, tacos or guacamole, and are key to flavor in this amazing Tortilla Soup.
Mushrooms
Whether they’re fresh or canned, mushrooms can add heft to any dish. I love shiitakes in a risotto along with asparagus and parmesan, sautéed to a crisp and topped on a pizza, or as an accompaniment to a veggie-filled stir fry.
Arugula
Top with lemon, olive and shaved parmesan for a refreshing salad, or add to a toast with mustard, cheese and fruit.
Cucumber
I love getting cucumbers into a Greek salad or tabbouleh for a fresh, healthy dish any time of year.
Squash
Spaghetti squash is simple to make and makes for a healthy pasta alternative. I also love butternut squash to put into a simple summer salad.
Frozen green vegetables
Veggies like broccoli and green beans can be blanched and sautéed a thousand ways. Great to have on hand.
Frozen fruit
I always package up fruit (bananas, strawberries, blueberries) that’s about past its prime and stick it in the freezer so I can make smoothies, healthy popsicles or breads.
Herbs & Spices
Basil
Egg frittatas, caprese salads, stir frys, you name it. Basil is my everything.
Garlic Salt
My mom always made garlic bread with this when I was a kid. And now I use it on toasts, pastas, stir frys…it’s a great two for one!
Curry Powder
This spice is my go-to for my hummus, goes in my chili, and even on this amazing Curried Kale Salad. And the spices included have great health benefits!
Cilantro
Yeah, in just about anything inspired by Latin cuisine. I just made a Cilantro Pesto for gifts for Christmas or you can put it on this delicious pizza.
Italian Parsley
Also a good ingredient in any pesto/pasta recipe, but also, this White Bean Dip I stole from Giada.
Better than Bouillon or Rapunzel Bouillon Cubes
An easy way to make instant veggie broth!
Dill (dried or fresh, depending on how much you use it)
I love fresh dill in any sort of Mediterranean dish, but dried dill can be a useful addition to a fresh salad or eggs.
Proteins
Tofu
Bake it, pan fry it, chop it up in salads or stir frys. I always go with extra firm, but silken is a good addition to homemade Miso.
Seitan
I always have the strips on hand for stir fry, but the slices are also a good addition to homemade Reuben Sandwiches (my favorite from the Chicago Diner!).
Cashews
Snack on them or top stir frys with them. They’re also a great addition to this Curried Kale Salad.
Condiments
Miso Paste
When I’m feeling like I need serious umami, I just add a couple tablespoons of white miso paste to hot water along with a handful of spinach, thinly sliced dried seaweed (and silken tofu if I have it on hand) for a warming treat.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Castelvetrano Olives and Capers
Perfect when you need a salty addition to pasta, pizza or salad.
Dijon Mustard
I use this in my Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette, but also on any savory toasts combined with fruit and cheese.
Canned Goods
Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas
Lemon Curry Hummus is a go-to for any party I’m hosting or contributing to. It was one of the first things my kiddo started eating (a great source of protein for a meatless child), and now he LOVES curry...and generally won’t ever eat the store-bought versions of hummus.
Black Beans
Nachos! Chili! Tacos! These beans are healthy and a great addition to so many things that need a kick of protein.
Green Chiles (unless you can find them fresh!)
Nachos! Tacos! Huevos Rancheros! I am in love with real New Mexican green chiles and had the best breakfast burrito of my life at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a few years ago because it was packed with the fresh-roasted version. One of my favorite ingredients, especially since you never know how spicy they’re going to be.
Coconut Milk
Great for curries, soups and more.
All content © Tiffany Plate 2023
