The pantry | Lissa’s Project Vegan

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Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

The tin of chickpeas with two useful parts

Drain the beans deliberately instead of automatically tipping everything down the sink.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Red lentils and brown lentils have different jobs

Decide whether you want a soft soup or distinct little lentils.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

A small pantry beats an ambitious one

Buy ingredients you can name a meal for.

Illustrative image: Golden tofu cubes with rice and green vegetables

Firm tofu and silken tofu are not the same shortcut

Pick the texture before planning the cooking method.

Illustrative image: Bowls of tahini dressing, hummus and chopped herbs

Why tahini separates in the jar

Stir from the bottom before measuring a spoonful.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Choose plant milk for the job in front of it

A good drink and a good savory cooking ingredient are not always the same carton.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Nutritional yeast is a seasoning, not a requirement

Use it where you enjoy its savory flavor, and check the label for anything else.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Tomato paste needs a place after opening

Portion the remainder while you still remember what it is.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Coconut milk: read the name and the fat content

A drinking carton and a cooking tin may produce very different sauces.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Keep one useful vinegar within reach

Learn its strength before collecting more bottles.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Frozen peas earn their shelf space

Take only what you need and keep the rest frozen.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

The dried herb you actually finish

Store a modest amount away from steam and bright light.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Paprika can be sweet, hot, or smoky

The word on the front of the jar is only the beginning.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Oats: rolled, quick, and steel-cut

Similar ingredients can need very different amounts of time in the pan.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Brown rice and white rice need separate instructions

Keep the cooking directions when decanting into a jar.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Canned beans are a practical starting point

Convenience leaves more room to learn seasoning and texture.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Dried beans deserve their own plan

Learn the method for the particular bean before choosing an appliance.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Store nuts for the way you use them

A small working jar and a colder reserve can make sense.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

A jar of mustard does more than dress a sandwich

Start with a little in dressings and bean dishes.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Buy bread with tomorrow in mind

Freeze the portion you are unlikely to finish while it is still in good condition.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Keep the lemon zest before the juice

Zest first, while the fruit is still easy to hold.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Sesame oil is often a finishing ingredient

A few drops of toasted oil can change the whole bowl.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Soy sauce is seasoning with a salt budget

Taste the stock and sauce together before reaching for the salt.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Frozen spinach is a different ingredient from fresh leaves

Account for the water before adding it to a filling.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Choose plain yogurt before choosing a brand

Sweetness and flavorings matter more than the picture on the tub.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

A can of tomatoes is not always the same sauce

Whole, chopped, and crushed tomatoes bring different textures to dinner.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Buying spices without building a museum

Start with the seasonings that appear in meals you already want to cook.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Keep labels when you decant ingredients

The name is useful; the cooking and allergen information can be essential.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

The freezer needs portions, not just containers

Freeze an amount you can use without thawing the whole batch.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Keep a small “use next” space

Visibility often solves more waste than another ambitious recipe plan.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Best-before and use-by wording depends on where you live

Read the product's storage directions and local guidance together.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

Keep a stock you would be willing to sip

Strong stock can dominate a small, simple dish.

Illustrative image: Jars of lentils, oats and rice beside chickpeas and olive oil

A shopping list that leaves room for dinner

Choose a few meals, then buy ingredients that can move between them.