3 Cheap Ingredients: store cupboard essentials

Do you ever panic when you don’t have a certain ingredient in stock? Some things can wait until the next weekly shop, but I have a few things that I never let my levels get too low on. I think all three of these items provide good value for money, so, not cheap exactly, but you get a lot of goodness for your dollar. This goes alongside my posts on my favourite fruit and veg, and my favourite grains. If I’ve got the whole lot in stock, I’m very content.

Almond milk

I love almond milk. Although I use it mostly at breakfast time, it does sneak into baking and the occasional savoury dish at dinner when I’m looking to add a creamy texture. I pay a little bit more for the Rude Health almond milk because it uses Italian almonds (therefore not contributing to the California drought) and because it’s not choc full of fillers and preservatives like some of the cheaper ones. That said, Rude Health can be like gold dust in my local Sainsbury’s so I do have an own-brand one on occasion. I think almond milk tastes the best in porridge and overnight oats because it lends itself to creaminess without an overwhelming flavour.

Rapeseed oil

One of my dear international readers thought I had mistyped grapeseed oil, but rape seed is a plant in its own right. It grows well in the British climate and has a deep yellow colour. I think you have to pay quite a lot for a good olive oil, but you don’t have to pay as much for a really decent rapeseed oil. I buy mine in Sainsbury’s (as most things) for £3 when it’s on offer. I love the flavour in houmous and pesto and it transfers a little of the yellow hue that actually looks delicious. It’s my favourite thing to roast vegetables in too.

Peanut butter

I love my boyfriend, I really do, but a large part of my heart is reserved for peanut butter. I eat it with everything – breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. It’s great for sweet and savoury things alike. I resigned myself to buying big tubs a couple of weeks ago and it’s the best decision I’ve probably ever made. Now I can be free to cook and bake without using an entire jar in one day! I don’t know what it is about peanut butter in particular. I like almond butter and hazelnut butter, but I always come back to peanut. It’s where my heart truly lies.

What do you think of my selection? What ingredients can you not live without? Tell me all about them in the comments section or tag me in pics over on Instagram (@boowholefoods) – any excuse to be nosy!

PS Links are to other Boo Wholefoods posts.