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    Home ยป Nutrition Knowledge

    My 10 Must Have Ingredients

    Published: Mar 8, 2017 ยท Updated: Dec 30, 2023 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    The 10 ingredients I always have in my kitchen, so I can make a nourishing meal even without a trip to the store

    My Top 10 Favorite Ingredients to Have in the Kitchen

    Life gets busy. You don't have time to cook. You don't have the energy to cook. I get it. But you don't have to resort to takeout time and time again.

    To keep me from constantly using UberEats, I keep these 10 ingredients in my kitchen.

    What 10 ingredients?

    These 10 ingredients:

    Berry White Tea Smoothie from Living Well Kitchen

    Frozen Fruit & Vegetables

    Frozen fruit is perfect for smoothies. I also love to put some frozen fruit (cherries are great for this!) in a bowl and let sit out for about 15 minutes; and I eat it for a sweet snack or even after dinner.

    Frozen veggies are great for casseroles, soups, frittatas (defrost/saute first), cooked & covered in sauce, in quesadillas.

    Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup
    Good Luck Greens Soup
    Chicken Quesadilla (cook the veggies in a skillet and add to the quesadilla)
    Beef and Vegetable Soup
    Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
    Wild Blueberry Limeade Smoothie
    Berry White Tea Smoothie
    Mango Green Tea Smoothie

    Salsa

    Salsa is my all time favorite condiment/sauce/seasoning/etc. I put it over eggs, on tacos, on chicken or tuna, everything!

    Salsa Tuna and Bean Salad
    White Bean and Turkey Chili
    Salsa Turkey Lettuce Wraps
    Salsa Lentil Soup
    Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

    Egg Muffins recipe from Living Well Kitchen

    Eggs

    Eggs are super versatile! They're great for breakfast, snacks, and quick dinners.

    Egg Muffins
    Protein Pancakes
    Egg Stuffed Portobellos
    Avocado Egg Salad
    Bacon Deviled Eggs
    Avocado Deviled Eggs
    Veggie Fried Quinoa
    Caramelized Onion Omelet

    Patriotic Protein Pancakes from Living Well Kitchen

    Oats

    Oats are for more than just oatmeal. You can make pancakes, cookies, granola, and more.

    Protein Pancakes
    Versions:

    • Apple Protein Pancake Muffins
    • Funfetti Protein Pancakes
    • Bacon Protein Pancakes
    • Berries and Cream Protein Pancakes
    • St. Patrick's Day Protein Pancakes
    • Chocolate Protein Pancakes
    • Blueberry Protein Pancakes
    • Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes
    • Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
    • Cinnamon Roll Protein Pancakes
    • Bananas Foster Protein Pancakes
    • Oven Baked Protein Pancakes

    Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip
    Overnight Coffee Oats
    Microwave Oatmeal Cookie
    Pumpkin Granola
    Almond Berry Overnight Oats
    Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies
    Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats
    Rosemary Swiss Oatmeal with Mushrooms
    Coconut Almond Granola

    Nut Butter (or Seed Butter)

    Peanut butter will always be my favorite but any nut or seed butter is great to have. You can eat as a snack, add to smoothies, use for the base of a sauce, or drizzle over desserts or breakfast.

    Easy Peanutty Pasta
    Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
    Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Dip
    Almond Butter Banana Cookies
    Coconut Almond Cookie Dough Dip
    Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Crackers

    Mexican Three Bean Salad from Living Well Kitchen

    Canned Beans

    Canned beans keep in the pantry for a while and can be added to tons of dishes to give extra fiber and plant-based protein.

    Mexican Three Bean Salad
    Avocado Chickpea Toast
    Cheesy Beef, Chickpea and Veggies
    Avocado Black Bean Burgers
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
    Artichoke Hummus
    Black Bean and Kale Tacos
    Black Bean Brownies
    Three Bean and Quinoa Chili

    Pizza Pasta Soup from Living Well Kitchen

    Pasta Sauce

    Pasta sauce can make an almost instant meal. It can also be used as the base of a soup, ingredient in casseroles, for pizza sauce, and more.

    Pizza Pasta Soup
    Pizza Casserole
    Chicken, Spinach, and Bean Soup
    Roasted Vegetable Pizza (use the sauce instead of pizza sauce)

    Crispy Pasta with Kale and Parmesan from Living Well Kitchen

    Pasta

    Any and all pastas are great in my opinion. Look for a whole grain (whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, lentil, black beans, chickpea, etc.) to get more fiber and nutrients.

    Crispy Pasta with Kale and Parmesan
    Garlicky Caramelized Onion Pasta
    BLT Pasta Salad
    Mexican Breakfast Pasta
    Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
    Lemon Chicken Pasta Casserole
    Mexican Pasta Frittata

    Sesame Tuna Burgers from Living Well Kitchen

    Canned Tuna

    Good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids that are great for your hair, skin, nails, heart, and more in one can.

    Sesame Tuna Burgers
    Greek Tuna Salad
    Southwest Tuna Wraps
    Salsa Tuna and Bean Salad

    Twice Baked Taco Potatoes from Living Well Kitchen

    Onions & Potatoes

    These last on your counter for a few weeks before going bad. Make sure not to store them together though because the gases from onions can cause the potatoes to sprout and go bad faster.

    Twice Baked Taco Potatoes
    Crock-Pot Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, and Peppers
    Smashed Potatoes
    Easy Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Bisque
    Caramelized Onions
    Slow Cooker Maple Mustard Pork Chops and Onions
    French Onion Soup
    Pork Chop, Apples and Onions
    Garlicky Caramelized Onion Pasta

    Hope this helps you like it saves me 😉

    Meme

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

    About Meme

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