Chef YoYo Banks gives advice on what to keep in your pantry as the Fall season approaches. Below are her essential Top 5 Healthy Pantry Picks:
1 – Low Sodium Chicken/Vegetable Broth: Broth is a great low calorie way to bring flavor to any dish. I use low sodium vegetable and chicken broth to flavor things like vegetable purées, to make a quick soup or in place of water for rice or other grains. They’re a must-have item in your pantry.
2 – Agave: Agave nectar is a sweetener similar to honey, only it’s sweeter and comes from the same Agave plant that produces tequila. It’s low glycemic, so it doesn’t cause spikes in insulin levels. I use it nearly everyday in my oatmeal.
3 – Quinoa: Is an ancient Incan grain-like crop grown primarily for its seeds. It’s gained popularity in recent years as a superfood. It’s naturally gluten-free and a complete protein. I love to use it in place of bulgur to make a delicious tabbouleh.
4 – Fish Sauce: Fish sauce can be used in place of salt or soy sauce to flavor all sorts of dishes like seafood, stir fries, appetizers, snacks, soups, salads, curries and noodles. It adds depth to marinades, and makes a great dipping sauce when mixed with garlic, chili peppers, lime juice, and sugar.
5 – White Whole Flour: I use this flour as opposed to regular all-purpose flour because it has the benefits of whole wheat flour but is much lighter. It can be replaced interchangeably for all-purpose flour in baked goods, pizza dough and more.
Remember, Fresh is Fabulous!
