Celebrity chef Ben O’Donoghue shares his 5 money-saving pantry staples
Channel Nine’s new show Eat Well For Less, hosted by Ben O’Donoghue and Leila McKinnon, aims to help Australians take back control of how we spend money on food.
The average Aussie grocery spend comes to $156.54 a week, so the show has identified a problem that hits home for many households and families.
One tip that the duo discussed in the first episode was making sure you write a shopping list and stick to it as you are strolling through the supermarket aisles.
According to Ben, one mistake many Aussies make is forgetting to check the pantry to see what you already have before going to the shops.
Buying things that we already own increases food waste because it means we have to throw away the items that go off before we can use them.
Taking stock of your pantry is a great habit to start and Ben has shared his five money-saving pantry staples with 9Honey Kitchen.
1. Stock cubes
Ben always has a good quality brand of stock cubes in his pantry so that he can whip up quick dinners and use leftovers with little effort. Ben said that they are great “to make really quick Asian noodle soup bases and then flavour up with fresh ginger and garlic, veggies and anything else for the kids”.
2. Curry paste
Ben said different curry pastes are essential to stock in your pantry because you don’t need to worry about them going off before you can use them. “It’s great to have a number of different curry bases,” said Ben. “Then you can build simple, healthy meals for the family and vary the flavours.”
3. Rice
Not only is rice cheap and easy to store, but it's a great ingredient to extend a meal if you have more mouths to feed. “It’s a good filler that lets you feed the kids quickly,” said Ben. “With so many different things you can do that are both savoury and sweet”, he believes it’s a pantry essential.
4. Fish sauce
Ben recommends stocking fish sauce as you can add a dash to soups and stews that aren’t Asian for a hit of flavour. “It’s great to add flavour and make dressings,” said the chef.
5. Spices
Ben believes it is important to build up a good supply of spices because of the way they can alter flavour in a second. “Spices are great for making homemade rubs and adding flavour to meals,” said Ben.
What are your money-saving pantry staples? Let us know in the comments below.