While produce is essential to making healthy, plant-based meals, it’s also important to keep your pantry stocked with basic staples. Here are some of our favourites, so let’s go shopping!

Beans

They are full of fiber, antioxidants and protein, these are so nutritious they are basically magic. Whether canned or dried, they are super-easy to store and really versatile in any recipes (even desserts!). Our favourite one is chickpeas, and you?

Quinoa

It’s gluten-free and contains a lot of protein (up to 18 grams per serving). Its coucous-like consistency is ideal for stuffing courgettes or peppers, making a nourishing salad or replacing rice in curries or stir-fries.

Use quinoa instead of rice in this recipe and it will be as good as the original one! 😉

Nutritional Yeast aka Nootch

This is one is probably an OBLIGATION to keep in your vegan/vegetarian pantry. Fully packed with vitamin B, these golden flakes are amazing in soups, sauces, gravies or sprinkled on top of pasta, salad or tofu. It has a “cheesy” taste that makes everybody in love with.

Sprinkled on top of popcorn for a little extra flavour is one of our favourite. 😉

Tahini

Tahini or any other nut butter actually (the one you prefer the most to cook with) works often with miso, with some lemon juice and a bit of water, or even with some soya sauce to make it more like a “Japanese-style” dish. They are so good for you, full of good fat and fiber that will be especially good for your gut and your skin.

Tahini has the power to really elevate the flavor of simple desserts, like cookies and brownies. Don’t hesitate to try it! 😉

Herbs and Spices

They simply make everything taste better. We often think a plant-based diet can be easily tasteless but not at all! If you are new to cooking or using spices, buy a variety and experiment to see what you like. Most herbs are best used fresh but some can definitely be dried. Spices, which are usually dried seeds, tend to stay fragrant a bit longer.

Our favourites are definitely Smoked Paprika that brings this smoky taste to any meal, the basic one, Basil, for its note of freshness and finally, Turmeric, for its incredible colour and its anti-inflammatory properties.

Dates

Dates are excellent at binding together crusts for tarts and pies. They are also amazing for adding a creamy sweetness to smoothies and cakes. Fully packed with all sorts of beneficial nutrients including fibers, calcium and iron, they should be your go-to once you have tried them.

Our favourite combo is without no doubt date+walnuts or date + a teaspoon of peanut butter. It tastes like caramel!

Applesauce

It sounds probably boring but besides being a tasty and healthy snack, this is a good substitute for butter, egg or even oil, indeed it helps make vegan baked goods moist and delicious.

Coconut Oil

From making rich curries and roasting vegetables, to frying tofu and even baking, coconut oil is super versatile and taste so good!

Pro tip: Use coconut oil as a good make up remover or body oil, the smell is incredible and this is 100% natural. 😉

Apple cider vinegar

This is a must-have not only for cooking but cleaning too. It makes a lovely house cleaner added to a citrus essential oil. But this is obviously great in many recipes and even better to drink (when diluted with water, lemon and a bit of honey or any other natural sweetener).

What’s your favourite way to use it? 

Our favourite one is by making a gut-friendly drink with turmeric, lemon, hot water and a bit of maple syrup. But also for a healthy ketchup made with tomato paste, maple syrup (again!) and some herbs and onion powder.

Oats

The last but not least, a favourite of all time, oats! You can use them when rolled for granola or a quick homemade oat flour by blending them. Whether for breakfast such as porridge and overnight oats or for baked goods such as cake, muffins and more, oats are super versatile and fully packed with nutrients and fiber. A really good added value to your diet for making you full for longer and bringing you a lot of energy!