Stocking up your pantry with vegan staples is a wonderful way to ensure you always have the ingredients on hand for delicious, plant-based meals. In this article, we’ll explore 125 essential vegan pantry items that will help you create a variety of flavorful dishes. From grains and legumes to spices and condiments, this comprehensive list will inspire your culinary creativity and make meal planning a breeze. To get you started, we’ve included a tasty recipe using some of these pantry essentials – Vegan Lentil Curry. Let’s dive in and fill your shelves with vegan goodness!
### Vegan Lentil Curry
#### Ingredients:
– 1 cup dried green lentils
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
– 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons curry powder
– 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh cilantro for garnish
– Cooked rice, for serving
#### Instructions:
1. Rinse the dried green lentils thoroughly under cold water and drain.
2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the curry powder, ground turmeric, and ground cumin. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to toast the spices and release their flavors.
4. Add the rinsed green lentils to the pot and stir to coat them with the spices and onion mixture.
5. Pour in the coconut milk and diced tomatoes with their juices. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the curry simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
7. Season the lentil curry with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Serve the Vegan Lentil Curry over cooked rice and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
9. Enjoy the comforting flavors of this hearty, plant-based dish!
By keeping your pantry stocked with these 125 vegan staples, you’ll be well-equipped to whip up a wide array of delicious and nutritious meals. From breakfast to dinner, snacks to desserts, the possibilities are endless when you have a diverse range of ingredients at your fingertips. Experiment with different combinations, flavors, and cooking techniques to discover your favorite vegan recipes. So go ahead, fill your pantry with these essentials and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure in plant-based cooking!
