How to Stock a Weeknight Pantry

A well-stocked pantry is the difference between “there's nothing to eat” and a curry on the table in 35 minutes. You do not need a huge collection. You need a short list of ingredients that combine in many ways, plus a habit of replacing them before they run out.

The shelf

• Canned tomatoes: crushed and whole peeled. They are the base of soups, curries, shakshuka and pasta sauces.
• Canned beans: chickpeas and black beans cover most recipes. Rinse them before using.
• Coconut milk: full-fat, for curries and soups.
• Broth: vegetable or chicken, in cartons or as concentrate.
• Grains: rice, a dried pasta shape you like, and old-fashioned rolled oats.
• Baking basics: all-purpose flour, granulated and brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda.

The spice drawer

These ten cover every recipe on this site: ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Add kosher salt and whole black peppercorns with a grinder.

Ground spices do not spoil, but they lose aroma over time. If a spice smells faint when you rub a pinch between your fingers, it will taste faint in the pot. Buy small jars of the ones you use less often.

Oils, vinegars and condiments

• Olive oil for dressing and roasting, and a neutral oil (sunflower or canola) for high-heat cooking.
• Red wine vinegar and rice vinegar.
• Low-sodium soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and honey or maple syrup.

Fridge and freezer backups

A few perishables turn pantry ingredients into a meal: eggs, butter, lemons, plain Greek yogurt and a block of feta or cheddar. In the freezer, keep frozen berries for breakfasts and a bag of frozen peas or spinach to stir into soups and curries.

Storing it well

• Rotate: put new cans at the back so the oldest get used first.
• Check cans: food-safety agencies advise throwing away cans that are bulging, leaking, rusted or deeply dented, especially along the seams.
• Keep it cool and dry: store dry goods away from the stove and out of direct sunlight, in airtight containers once opened.

Three dinners from the pantry

With the list above you can make a chickpea and spinach coconut curry, crispy black bean tacos or shakshuka without a trip to the shops. See the whole pantry-friendly collection.