As is the era, you may have found yourself in a situation that calls for a lot more time spent at home. Maybe that means you need to feed yourself a lot more often and maybe, you are also a little more strapped for cash that usual… In any case, here is a list for all the non-chefs with some handy “super” foods and ToFoodies-approved pantry staples to have around your kitchen when hunger (or boredom) calls. Everything in this list is relatively cheap, versatile, and/or long-lasting, when stored appropriately.

PEANUT BUTTER

Truly, the king of snack foods. I might even go so far as to say the king of foods, but I have commitment issues… So tasty. So versatile. Slab it on some toast for a quick and easy snack (or meal - no judgment). Add a scoop to your oatmeal or smoothies for extra protein. You can even get adventurous and throw a bit in a broth or make your own peanut sauce.

Bonus! Peanut butter typically has a crazy long shelf life- even more reason to buy the big jar. Just remember to refrigerate the natural kinds after opening them to keep up a more familiar texture and avoid the oils from separating.

POTATOES

One of the few foods that is a staple food among breakfast, lunch, and dinner; hashbrowns, fries, roasted or baked. Peel off the skin, fry them, and throw the rest in a stew. This is a hardy food that willl definitely hold you over until your next “snack break”. Buy yourself a big bag of these and you’ll be good to go for weeks because they also keep for a long time, when stored in a cool and dark place.

My personal favourite? The loaded sweet potato (watch here for a ToFoodies recipe!). The toppings for this are completely up to the creator, but I personally like to do a vegan version where I use hummus, mixed beans, salsa, and some hot sauce. A zero effort meal, but so so so good and super filling.

hummus

I take back my previous statement about being unable to declare something as the king of foods. Hummus is king. Dare I even say, Queen. The absolute best. You can even make some yourself and if really you’re up for it, try the ToFoodies Roasted Garlic Hummus Recipe. You’ve had it as a dip, no doubt, but try adding a bit to your sandwiches, to your scrambler, put a scoop in your soup, or even use it as a pizza sauce. If you’re a die hard like I am, you can also just buy a bag of pita and a jar of hummus (a different flavour each time, of course...) and call it a *day.

*Day. I say “day” very specifically because hummus usually doesn’t last much longer than that in my apartment. BUT, because of the simplicity and nature of most hummus recipes - chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil - it could last much much longer than that, if you have the restraint that I clearly lack.

EGGS

I don’t think its any secret that eggs are great to have around in your kitchen, but they’re added to our list anyway. If anything, it is just to stress how great these little things are. Beyond breakfast, they can add a little something extra oomph to a lot more than you might think. Crack one in to your homemade ramen? Or the packaged kind. Like I said, no judgement. Eggs on toast is a super easy snack, and a few hard-boiled eggs is my #1 post-workout meal. Breakfast for dinner is awesome, but these go way beyond just breakfast as protein-packed topper for healthy hot sauce-drenched grain bowls, pasta plates and can turn beautiful greens into a full meal. Oh, and how are you going to join the baking craze without a few of these around?

Brownie points if you’re able support a local farmer in all of this mess, too!

Spaghetti + pasta sauce

The classic dinner any university student knows all too well. For good reason though. Super simple to make and endlessly filling. Maybe you’re the person that tests yourself to try every Classico pasta sauce from your local grocery store? Or… maybe you are more of a chef than I (Colin), and can make your own!

Tip: If you’re too lazy to make meatballs and a meat sauce won’t cut it, there’s a shortcut. Try cooking up some sausages, slicing them up, and then “deglazing” the pan with your store-bought or homemade sauce. Let it simmer. Yum.

milk alternative

Does almond milk really expire? I mean, I know it does. But, does it really? You know what I mean. Keep scrolling.

onions

Although I don’t suggest you eat them raw like an apple a la Shrek… They really are super useful to have around your kitchen at all times. Onions seem to find their way in my pan almost every-time I bring it out and I suggest you follow suit. Great in a stir-fry, added to salads, sandwiches, or cooked into soups and broths.

Onions come in many kinds but all are quite flavourful, so a little goes a long way (score! for your wallet). They also keep for a long time (score! x2 for your wallet). Just remember to store them in the fridge once you’ve broken the skin.

oats&Oatmeal

Now this one may not be as versatile as some on this list, but it is still an important one to have around. Mainly, think about how incredibly economical oats are… You can buy a MASSIVE bag for less than $5 at most grocery stores. Also, on theme for this post, oats also have a super long shelf life even after the bag has been opened.

Good for more than just breakfast, a bowl of oatmeal is good literally anytime of day. Add a splash of milk or milk alt., some berries, bananas, drizzle a bit of honey, a scoop of that peanut butter that you’ve recently learned is one of the best food investments (re: a few posts up), brown sugar if you’ve got a sweet tooth, and maybe even some more oats but this time in the form of granola? Oatmeal doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how great it can be, but I hope this has shed some light on the fact.

Not to sound too oat obsessed (I promise I’ll move on soon) but more than just a bowl of oatmeal, simple rolled oats can used to make your own homemade oat milk. Most recipes call for just 1 cup of rolled oats and 4 cups of water. Any other ingredients are just added flavour and up to your own discretion.

popcorn

Much like almond milk, I’m not sure if popcorn kernels really expire…

Buy some in bulk, store them in a cute mason jar, and bam! You’ve got a snack and a decoration. Seriously though, not to sound like a fitness blog or anything, but popcorn is a really great healthy snack to have kicking around. Until you pour half a cup of melted butter over it but either way, we are not here to judge. Popcorn is cheap, lasts long, and is a great alternative to try switching up with whatever else you have on hand…(No judgement).

carrots

A.K.A. The Vessel of Choice for scooping hummus into my mouth. Carrots are the best vegetable to have kicking in your fridge because, unlike basically every other fresh produce item, carrots don’t expire as soon as you turn your back on them! Although they may not be as fresh as when you first brought them home, carrots good to go for awhile and then perfect to be used in soups, stir-fry, or simply baked in the oven.

My biggest tip when it comes to carrots: Don’t buy them in baby form. WAY more expensive for LESS carrots? That’s good marketing and nothing more. Just buy regular carrots and if you want a convenient lunch, cut them up a few times. I promise, they will fit in your Tupperware just fine.

Dining at Home: Tips & Tricks For The Non-Chefs Among Us