Enhance fresh, seasonal ingredients with minimal effort by keeping your pantry and freezer stocked with these items:
Grains: Dried pasta (various shapes), couscous, white rice, instant brown rice; in the freezer, keep fresh pasta and low-fat filled pastas (tortellini, ravioli)
Vegetables: Canned and bottled varieties, including chilies, whole and diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, artichokes, marinated mushrooms, roasted red peppers, black beans, garbanzo beans, white beans, corn, water chestnuts; frozen bags of chopped peppers, broccoli, corn, cauliflower, peas, berries
Seasonings: Dried herbs and spices; raisins and dried berries; nuts; canned chicken and vegetable broth; red wine, white wine and liqueurs; extra-virgin olive oil, walnut oil, sesame oil; spiced mustards; aromatic vinegars (tarragon, raspberry, sherry, balsamic); bottled lemon juice and lime juice
