{"id":5249,"date":"2023-06-23T09:24:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T03:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/?p=5249"},"modified":"2023-07-26T20:48:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T15:18:34","slug":"various-cooking-ingredients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/various-cooking-ingredients\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Common Cooking Ingredients to Make a Variety of Dishes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A well-stocked kitchen and pantry facilitate healthy meal planning and eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By constantly keeping a few essential cooking items handy, you will find it easy to whip up a meal anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what cooking ingredients should always be available in your house?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Potatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Potatoes don’t perish easily. An advantage of this vegetable is that it holds up at room temperature, saving precious space in the refrigerator for other perishable items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can make French Fries, soups, hash browns, potato mash, and much more with potatoes. They are also abundantly available throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your taste preferences, you can choose between different varieties of potatoes like Russet potatoes, Yukon gold, baby potatoes, Kennebec, butterball, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best thing about potatoes is that they last for several weeks if you store them properly in a cool and dry place with proper air circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Sweet Potatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sweet potatoes are another summer vegetable that holds up for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are very versatile, and you can use them to make different dishes, including chips to mash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweet potatoes are high in carotene, making them a healthy vegetable to consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can store sweet potatoes at room temperature in the pantry for several days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just ensure they are kept in a cool and dry space with plenty of air circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Onions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Onions form the base of several recipes for cuisines from all over the world. So, they are an essential part of any pantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like potatoes, onions store well at room temperature for weeks at a stretch. Thus, it makes sense to buy them in bulk and keep them handy always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different varieties of onions, like white onions, yellow onions, and sweet onions. Pungent onion varieties<\/a> last longer than sweet onions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When fresh onions are unavailable, the next best option is peeled or fried onions. Peeled onions last in the fridge for over a week<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, fried onions can be stored at room temperature and directly added to various recipes to add a burst of extra flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Tomatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like onions, tomatoes are another essential ingredient for the base of various recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But tomatoes don’t last as long as onions or potatoes at room temperature. You must refrigerate or pickle them to extend their lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different varieties of tomatoes are good for different recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the commonly available Roma and beefsteak tomatoes, there are cherry, blueberry, grape, and other tomatoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canned tomatoes are the next best option to fresh tomatoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These store for a much longer time, and you can use either the store-bought or homemade version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Peppers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you regularly make Mexican food, you should always stock up on peppers. These are an essential part of dishes like salsa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commonly available peppers are capsicum, bell peppers, Jalapeno peppers, and Tabasco peppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some varieties are sweet, while others are very hot and pungent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also come in different colors based on the species, like yellow, red, and green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Corn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Corn is a versatile cooking ingredient. You can use it in a main dish or as an ingredient for various side dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corn on the cob forms a quick and delicious snack that you can make in mere minutes. However, it has a definite shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to enjoy corn all year, it’s better to use the frozen variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alternative is to steam and boil the corn and store it in the refrigerator for a week to ten days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Cucumbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With cucumbers, you can easily whip up a salsa or salad in no time. These vegetables are full of moisture, and hence a hydrating snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They don’t hold up for too long at room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These vegetables will also dry out if you do not refrigerate them properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is better to keep just a few cucumbers in stock<\/a> and use them up quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Squash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Butternut squash, pumpkins, and melons are useful ingredients for hearty home-cooked recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of these vegetables are large. So you can chop them and refrigerate or freeze the excess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use them in many recipes, and a single big squash or pumpkin will yield multiple servings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Fresh Fruits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fresh fruits like strawberries, kiwis, and oranges form healthy snacks. They are affordable when you choose fruits that are in season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citrus fruits hold up longer than other fruits. But you can always store perishable fruits in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Apples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apples are some of the most versatile fruits that you can use for snacking, cooking, and even baking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different apple varieties, each suitable for different needs and with different flavor profiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varieties like the Granny Smith are sour and good for pies. Meanwhile, sweet varieties like Pink Lady and Honeycrisp are perfect for snacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Lemons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lemons and limes are citrus fruits that find a lot of use in the kitchen. You can use them to make juices, salad dressings, cakes, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh lemons can stay out at room temperature for a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should wrap them properly when storing in the fridge, where they store longer, but tend to dry out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Tortillas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tortillas<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tortillas are thin, spherical-shaped Mexican bread made from maize or wheat flour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are a useful side dish for vegetable and meat-based gravies, fillings for wraps, and curries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use them as a wrap or instead of bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storebought tortillas have a long shelf life and are a lifesaver when you must whip up a meal in a pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Cornbread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cornbread can either be made at home or bought from a store. It’s a hearty and nutritious meal on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also pair cornbread with butter, onions, honey, cheese, soup, chili, or other items on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s an item that you can enjoy at any time of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While homemade cornbread doesn’t last too long unless refrigerated or frozen, shop-bought cornbread has a much longer shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Cheese Sticks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cheese sticks are a quick snacking option that you can conveniently carry with you wherever you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are perfect for lunchboxes and snack boxes. These are usually made of mozzarella cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you can find cheese sticks made with other varieties of cheese too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Mozzarella Sticks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mozzarella sticks are elongated cheese sticks deep-fried in breaded batter. They are a convenient and heavy snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can prepare them at home by deep-frying mozzarella cheese in a bread-based batter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other option is to buy frozen mozzarella sticks and fry them to enjoy it as a snack or meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Cheese Curd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cheese curds are chunks of moist, curdled milk. They are good for snacking. You can also use them to prepare various cheese-based recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheese curds are made of baby cheddar. They don’t hold up for too long without refrigeration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they can last for up to a week in the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Bread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bread is a versatile pantry ingredient. You can eat it as such, toast it, or make it into a sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bread can also be used to prepare breadcrumbs or croutons for soups and batters. It can be store-bought or homemade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from using different types of grains to make bread, it can also contain more nutritious ingredients like zucchini, banana, carrots, or nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Cake Mix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A ready-made cake mix makes it very easy to bake a delicious dessert without having to measure or weigh ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can simply mix it with hot water and eggs if required to prepare the liquid batter and directly bake it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It makes the entire task easy and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. Eggs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eggs are another pantry staple that will help you whip up a quick side dish or even the main meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s essential for many recipes like cakes, pie bases, muffins, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also enjoy eggs in multiple ways; boiled, poached, steamed, cooked, or fried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Oil, Butter, and Other Cooking Fats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oil, butter, and other cooking fats are essential ingredients for most recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are tossing vegetables in a stir fry, baking cake, or deep-frying meat, oil, butter, and cooking fats are essential for the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different types of oils are available, like coconut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and corn oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each has a different smoking point and properties. They can also be cold-pressed or refined, which affects their utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Sauces and Condiments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sauces and condiments make it easy to create flavorful recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may be impossible to stock up on all types of sauces and condiments, having a few in your pantry will improve your culinary efforts drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot sauce, tahini, salsa, ketchup, tomato sauce, mustard, nutritional yeast, and honey are some of the common pantry staples in most households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. Herbs and Spices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Herbs and spices are essential ingredients for flavorful recipes. While fresh herbs have a finite life, dried herbs, and spices last for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the commonly used herbs and spices include turmeric, cayenne, white pepper, black pepper, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, and rosemary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23. Yogurt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yogurt is a versatile pantry ingredient. You can make yogurt from scratch using milk and a probiotic culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also use the storebought varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different varieties like full-fat, skimmed, and medium-fat, apart from plant-based yogurts, are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a good source of gut bacteria and is associated with various health benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24. Lentils and Legumes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lentils and legumes are long-lasting pantry ingredients that will help you create healthy and nutritious meals with little planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most legumes need soaking before cooking. They are a good source of protein and can significantly improve your protein intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25. Pasta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Readymade pasta is easy to cook. It’s a good option for hectic days when you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasta boils quickly and works with a variety of sauces and ingredients to form wholesome meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different varieties like macaroni, fettuccine, ravioli, penne, and fusilli available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26. Rice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rice is a culinary staple in many cuisines around the world. You have both short-grain and long-grain, as well as white and brown rice varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice forms the perfect side dish for both meat and vegetable-based main courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to make on the stovetop. But if you use it all the time, the easiest way to prepare rice is in a rice cooker.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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By constantly keeping a few essential cooking items handy, you will find it easy to whip […]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5249"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5249"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5252,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5249\/revisions\/5252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitchencuddle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}