Hello my cheeky chickpeas how are you all doing?
I was at a friends place and she commented that her teens open the fridge and say “why do we have an ingredient fridge”. I laughed as had never heard this before. Well I have heard my boys exclaim “there is no food in this house”. I guess this is what they mean. No “instant” food. Just ingredients to create.
Now my goal is to help others have ingredient fridges and pantries. Let’s just say if it comes prepared in a packet chances are the ingredient list is long, with lots of additives and preservatives in there. That’s not life giving in fact thats the opposite.
So how do we create an ingredient kitchen?
Here is the secret. It’s in repetition. Discover the flavours and a selection of recipes that you can repeat with out too much thought. Then you always have these ingredients on hand so you know you can whip up a meal quicker than saying “uber eats”.
My kitchen always has :
Spices that I love ( cumin, corriander , paprika , chilli , turmeric , cinnamon , curry, onion and garlic powder , Italian herbs , sea salt , pepper, cinnamon , cardamon )
Health Yeast ( Nooch )
Fruit ( instant snack)
Grains ( some cooked in the fridge)
Oats ( yes a grain but these I would be lost with out)
Vegetables (fresh, frozen and pre chopped in fridge)
Cans of Beans and lentils and tomatos + dried legumes and lentils
Plant based milks
Tahini /peanut butter
Nuts ( cashews and walnuts )
Seeds ( Flaxseed, pumpkin, sunflower , chia)
Tofu
Now from the above list I can create numerous healthy quick tasty meals. From nourish bowls, thick soups too, veggie bakes, quick desserts and muffins.
This is my basic list that I keep. I just replace as they run out. Nothing too weird or exotic in that list - right? I even have these ingredients stocked up in Betty White the caravan. Just in smaller quantities. The thing is with healthy eating is if it’s not healthy don’t buy it. If it’s in your house it’s in your mouth!
So here’s a recipe to whip up with your “ingredients”. This is so easy and quick and be for lunch or a dinner. It’s dirt cheap to make and add some veg on the side or into it. Add a grain or even serve over baked kumara.
🧡🧡🧡Creamy Sweet Potato and Chickpeas Curry 🧡🧡🧡
x1 Kumara large cooked
x2 Cloves Garlic
x1 Med Onion
1 Tin Chickpeas ( drain)
2 C Veg Broth ( save cooking water from the kumara)
1 Can Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp Curry Powder
.5 Tsp Ginger Powder
1/4 Tsp Paprika
Salt & Pepper to taste
Bag of Baby Spinach
Blend cooked kumara and milk, spices and broth.
Sauté onion and garlic add in chickpeas and sauce. Heat through for 10- 15 mins. Add in spinach and serve with rice. Or if pushed for time have on toast.
Big plant love
Cath 💚
