19 RECIPES FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T GO SHOPPING AS OFTEN
We’re being encouraged to shop for food as little as we can — ideally once a week at the most. So if you forgot some of the ingredients for your usual repertoire, or you just couldn’t find them anywhere on your weekly shop, here are loads of recipe ideas to get you inspired! These recipes are made using a mix of store cupboard essentials and fresh ingredients that last longer, or are recipes that once made will last a long time (think marmalades and shelf-stable or freezable snacks). Keep an eye on the East by West tips at the bottom of many recipes for swaps and modifications. Tag me on Instagram @jasminehemsley so I can see all your wonderful variations!
DIGGING INTO THE CUPBOARD
ALL-THINGS-SPICE CARROT BICCIES
Apart from the carrots (which last a long time when stored in a cool place anyway), all the ingredients in these spicy biccies live in your cupboard.
These use dried cranberries, but you can substitute raisins if that’s what you have!
FENNEL AND ROSE BUCK-RICE PORRIDGE WITH TOASTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS
A lovely porridge made with buckwheat and basmati rice, plus shelf-stable flavouring and toppings. You can use plant milk for this, which keeps longer than the dairy stuff, and swap the buckwheat and rice for different cereals.
Look, it’s your house — it can be pancake day every day if you choose! These little ones use all shelf-stable ingredients with the exception of eggs, but even these can be subbed with flax eggs.
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MUFFIN VOLCANOES
The raspberries in these sweet-yet-tart muffins are freeze-dried, i.e. self-isolation friendly!
CARROT, CASHEW AND ORANGE SOUP WITH RED LENTILS AND MADRAS SPICE
Thankfully carrots last quite a long time! If you don’t have leeks for this recipe, use onions instead, or even chives if you have them.
Once again, carrots save the day, but sweet potato also works, and even parsnip — yes, I said it!
And a porridge you can make using all store cupboard ingredients.
Nope, you do not have to live on Heinz. Give your baked beans a homemade upgrade with this recipe I picked up on my trip to Zanzibar in 2018!
An East by West classic, for which the only fresh ingredients are long-lasting ones: garlic (optional), onion and lemon.
This is comfort food at its best — add veggies, don’t add veggies, the choice is yours (and what you’ve got in!).
Did you really think I wouldn’t include my Holy Grail of store cupboard recipes? Of course, in an ideal world, you could add loads of lovely seasonal veg — and by all means, do if you’ve got them — but kitchari is delicious and nourishing when it’s plain too.
RECIPES THAT WILL KEEP
CLEMENTINE AND STAR ANISE JAGGERY MARMALADE
A preserve that will last several weeks and works just as well in your favourite puddings as it does chutney-style alongside a curry.
A wholesome snack that you can keep in the freezer!
Another snack you can freeze for when you need it!
This is a great one for livening up loads of different dishes, plus it helps with digestion.
USING UP THE FRESH STUFF
PICKLED RED CABBAGE WITH HAZELNUTS AND GRIDDLED APPLE
Both cabbage and apple last longer than the average fruit and veg, so this is great if you happen to have those ingredients. Skip the dill if you don’t have any.
OREGANO AND SMOKED PAPRIKA SWEET TATTY TOWERS WITH SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS
Root veggies in general tend to last longer than leafy greens or the cruciferous ones for example, so sweet potatoes are a great one to stock up on. Got some eggs, too? That’s brunch-from-home sorted.
QUINOA AND SWEET POTATO KITCHARI
If you’re not big on eggs, here’s another option for those sweet tatties.