Pasta and rice are essential store-cupboard staples in my 5 ingredients recipes
When planning my food every week I’ve become obsessed with producing healthy, tasty meals that have hardly any ingredients in them. I almost challenge myself to see how good it can taste by keeping the number of ingredients to a minimum – but could I go as low as 5 ingredients?
5 seems to be the magic number – an idea that Jamie Oliver seems to have had in 2017 too. I reckon I had it first (unless Mr Oliver’s lawyers are reading this…!)
I used to think that the more you ingredients you put in food the tastier it would be – but I soon discovered that it’s not always the case (don’t get me started on the abomination that is 3 cheese macaroni!).
Just 5 ingredients? Really?
All of my 5 Ingredient recipes also contain some store-cupboard essentials. But before you start ranting and raving that there are technically more than 5 ingredients – take a look at the list below; these are things you’ll already have at home. And if you don’t, you should.
Every week when I write my shopping list I always check to make sure I have enough of all of these ingredients. Look out for special offers and stock up!
Oil
It doesn’t really matter whether it’s olive or vegetable, coconut or peanut – just make sure you adjust the calories accordingly.
Garlic
Don’t muck about getting it fresh. Life’s too short to be peeling and chopping garlic in every recipe – get the jar of pre-chopped garlic and keep it in the fridge. One teaspoon is the equivalent of one garlic clove. Simple.
Chilli
See above… buy the jar of pre-chopped chilli. One teaspoon = one small chilli. Boom!
Tomatoes: Puree and Tinned
I’ve lumped these in together because they go hand-in-hand when making a tomato-based sauce. Keep stocked up and you’ll be able to whip up a sauce in no time.
Rice
Buy a big bag, as big as you can carry. It’s not going to go off anytime soon and the more you buy the cheaper it gets.
Pasta
Same story as the rice: you’re going to go through plenty of it so make sure you always have some kicking about.