Seven Must Have Ingredients to Add Variety to Any Recipe

mkh — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:38:00 GMT

There's nothing like a home-cooked meal, but if you're busy like me, it's easy to get in a dinner rut where you make the same three dishes over and over again. Well there's an easy solution - I like to always keep these seven items on hand so that I can add pizzazz to any meal.

Zucchini - My favorite! This delicious vegetable is so versatile. It can be roasted for a tasty side item, or it can be chopped and added to virtually any recipe. Try some in your next pasta or chicken dish.

Whole grain pasta - Whole grains are so important for a balanced diet, and I love feeding my family whole grain pasta. Think beyond spaghetti and add pasta to soups, stews and hearty side dishes.

Cabbage - This great green food is packed with antioxidants. Of course I eat it frequently in salad, but it's also perfect for any type of sautéed dish.

Quinoa - Recently, quinoa seeds have boomed in popularity. They are full of protein, fiber, iron and calcium. I love the nutty flavor which is great as a simple side dish, or add to stuffing, soups or salads.

Chickpeas - Also known as garbanzo beans, these little gems come canned and are so easy to use. Simply drain, rinse and add to almost any recipe - I love them in light sauces or in soups. Puree and season for a quick and tasty hummus snack.

Canned fruit - Canned fruit is a great substitute when fresh isn't available, just make sure you opt for fruit packed in water or low-sugar options rather than thick syrup. Eat it as a snack, or use when baking.

Teriyaki sauce - I love the sweet/salty taste of teriyaki, and I've found cooking with it brings out the natural flavor of foods. You can mix it with a little extra virgin olive oil for a superb meat marinade and also use it as a glaze for veggies.

Those are my secrets. What do you guys have at your home to keep cooking fresh and delish?

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Seven Must Have Ingredients to Add Variety to Any Recipe