There are certain ingredients that should be a staple part of every kitchen. Experimenting with food is such a fun and interesting process, as with different ingredients there are a whole variety of dishes you can make. Having these versatile ingredients allows you to experiment and try new things so that you can make delicious new dishes every day and keep your meals fresh and exciting. Following a recipe is simple, but it is up to you to get the correct ingredients in order to allow you to try new things and experiment with your cooking.
As we are a company that specialises in catering to events, we have years of experience in using versatile ingredients to create unique and delicious meals. So, we thought we would share with you some tips on ingredients that you should always have in your kitchen.
Black beans
Black beans are an incredibly versatile ingredient and one that can be used to create a variety of delicious and easy-to-make meals. You can’t go wrong with a classic mixed-bean chilli, or some delicious burritos. Black beans are an ingredient that is sure to be a hit with all of the family, and they are also highly nutritious as they are a great source of protein and fibre.
Some examples of different foods you can make using black beans include: Tacos, black bean chimichurri salad, burrito bowls, sweet potato & black bean curry, chicken and black bean wraps and so much more. This versatile ingredient is an absolute must have in your kitchen!
Potatoes
Though this might seem like quite a basic ingredient and something that all people have in their kitchen, the versatility of potatoes as an ingredient is sometimes overlooked. Furthermore, sweet potatoes are another healthy alternative that is very popular and provides extra nutritional value whilst tasting even more delicious. For such a simple ingredient, you would be surprised at the amount of different things you can make from them.
Of course, you have the basic parts of a meal such as chips, wedges, roast, baked, boiled and mashed potatoes. However, there are so many more meals you can make, including shepherd’s pie, satay sweet potato curry, soups, casserole, potatoes dauphinoise, potato pancakes and so much more. They can be a primary ingredient of a meal, or a delicious addition. There are so many ways to experiment with using potatoes as an ingredient.
Cheese
Cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients you can get. It is a food that is used so much in all different types of meals and dishes. Whether you are grating it on top of a dish as a finishing touch, such as sprinkling parmesan on a spaghetti bolognese, or using it to top a homemade pizza or some enchiladas and everything in between, cheese is an absolute must have in your kitchen.
Furthermore, it is such a versatile food on the whole, as there are so many different types of cheese you can get. Another good way to enhance your cooking is by using different types of cheese and incorporating them into brand new dishes.
Rice
Rice is another food that is a staple part of all homes. It is such a simple, yet versatile ingredient, and you can use it in such a huge variety of dishes. You can use it as a filling, to top a salad, to accompany a meal, or to create a delicious rice based dish to enjoy. Rice can be a really fun ingredient to work with, as you can use it for all kinds of things, including as a homemade rice pudding dessert!
Some examples of the many dishes that can be created with rice as a primary ingredient include: Biriyani, paella, various types of curry, Italian rice and chicken, burritos, Thai coconut rice with salmon, egg fried rice, tomato & chorizo rice and so much more.
Eggs
Finally, eggs are another key ingredient in every household. They are a good source of protein, vitamins and iron. Eggs can be used to make so many different meals, and they are also essential in baking, where there are no limits to the amount of delicious treats you can create. The great thing about eggs is that they are more than satisfactory just on their own, but they also work well with just about any other ingredient.
Eggs can be cooked and served in various different forms, such as poached, boiled, scrambled and fried. However, eggs are such a versatile ingredient that they can be used in all kinds of dishes, from main meals to desserts. Some of these include: Salads, Turkish eggs, green eggs, frittata, egg curry, cauliflower, egg & potato curry, Yorkshire puddings, pancakes, ratatouille with poached eggs, not to mention the never ending variety of cakes that can be made with eggs as a key ingredient. You simply cannot afford not to have eggs in your kitchen!