Stocking a simple pantry

Why it helps

A well-stocked cupboard means you can cook a good dinner without a special shop. Add a few fresh things — an onion, a lemon, some greens — and you are ready.

The essentials

Oils and seasonings

• Olive oil
• Sunflower or vegetable oil, for high-heat cooking
• Salt, both fine and flaky
• Black pepper

Tins and dry goods

• Tinned chopped tomatoes
• Pasta
• Rice
• Red lentils
• Rolled oats
• Plain flour and self-raising flour
• Stock cubes or pots

Flavour boosters

• Soy sauce
• Miso (keep in the fridge once opened)
• Dijon mustard
• Honey or maple syrup
• Red wine vinegar

Spices

• Ground cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Ground cinnamon
• Chilli flakes

Fresh basics that keep

• Onions
• Garlic
• Lemons

Keep it fresh

• Buy spices in small amounts. They lose flavour after about six months.
• Keep oils away from the cooker. Heat and light make them go stale.
• Store flour, oats and rice in sealed jars or tubs.
• Put new packets at the back, so the older ones get used first.

What you can cook from it

With these in the cupboard you can make a Spiced Carrot & Red Lentil Soup, an Easy One-Pan Shakshuka with a few eggs, or a Prawn, Chilli & Garlic Linguine with a bag of frozen prawns.