We can all agree that panic-buying and stockpiling isn’t the right thing to do, neither for your fellow South Africans nor for your pocket. However, it is important to make sure that you have enough in your home for the next few days at least.
It can be difficult in this fervour to remember the essentials. So to make sure you’re not missing anything, we took a look at the Food24 recipe collection (which contains over 25 000 recipes) to pick out the ingredients that appear most often and therefore should be making it onto your shopping list. They are, in descending order:
1. Water
Water is absolutely essential for cooking! Whether you’re boiling potatoes or making bread dough, water is the cornerstone of most recipes.
2. Castor sugar
Finer than regular sugar, castor sugar is ideal for smooth and creamy cake batter, cookie dough and even ice creams.
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3. Oil
You pick your favourite – whether olive, sunflower, coconut or vegetable – but one thing is for sure: oil is an important item in every kitchen.
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4. Lemon juice
Lemon juice brings acidity and freshness to everything from salad dressings to rosé slushies! Buy fresh lemons if available, but prepared lemon juice can work just as well in a pinch.
RECIPE:Frozen Rosé and watermelon cocktails
5. Cream
Perfect for adding richness to sauces and soup. A carton of UHT cream is always useful!
6. Baking powder
Baking powder gives lift and lightness to your baking creations. Just remember that it can go stale, so keep its lid closed tightly!
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7. Salt
Honestly, we would put salt at number 1 if we could. Add it to your pasta water, sprinkle a pinch in your oatmeal and season your braai meat – just be careful with the quantities! A little salt goes a long way.
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8. Black pepper
Ah, the perfect partner to salt! Grind it fresh for the best flavour.
RECIPE: Coriander and black pepper sauce
9. Fresh garlic
Fresh garlic stores well outside of the fridge and adds a distinctive kick. Use it fresh and chopped for the strongest flavour, or slow-roast it for a deep, caramel-like flavour.
10. Vanilla essence
Great in desserts and cakes, this pantry staple should always be on hand.
RECIPE: Vanilla cupcakes with lemon curd buttercream
11. Honey
Honey is a great way to add sweetness to your recipes, and it makes an excellent sticky glaze for ribs and chicken wings!
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12. Eggs
Cooked on its own, egg is delicious, but its real superpower is how it binds other ingredients together. Use eggs in cakes, hamburgers, to coat chicken and even to brush over pastry!
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13. Brown sugar
Similar to number 2, castor sugar, this unrefined sugar adds a more caramel-like flavour to your cooking.
14. Flour
Where would we be without flour? Use it to make staples at home such as bread or fresh pasta, or use it to thicken sauces and soups.
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15. Chicken stock
Cooking with stock cubes can really elevate your cooking, and it’s an essential ingredient in risotto and other rice dishes.
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