15 quick dinner ideas, using pantry staples
(Photo: Roberto Caruso)
Lentil pot pie
Hero ingredient: Green lentils.
Why: They last forever in the pantry — or at least until you need a satisfying, healthy, meatless meal.
Lentils, three ways:
Middle Eastern lentils and rice
Gingery ramen with eggs
Hero ingredient: Chicken broth.
Why? It can boost flavour in any dish without adding fat. Always choose low-sodium or no-sodium broth.
Chicken broth, three ways:
Winter ratatouille and polenta
Smoky and saucy haddock
Hero ingredient: Canned tomatoes.
Why? They're the ultimate kitchen chameleon. (We prefer canned whole tomatoes without added salt.)
Canned tomatoes, three ways:
Quinoa minestrone soup
Hero ingredient: Quinoa.
Why? Whether it's red, white or black, quinoa's a quick-cooking grain packed with nutrition.
Quinoa, three ways:
Salmon cakes with green beans
Hero ingredient: Canned salmon.
Why? Canned salmon is a healthy, affordable, versatile choice. Bonus: almost all canned salmon is wild.
Canned salmon, three ways:
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