With the summer season upon us, there's an undeniable urge to embrace the great outdoors, leaving the confines of the kitchen and immersing ourselves in vibrant al fresco dining.
But while the allure of grilling and gathering around the braai captivates, the secret to effortless summer meals resides within a well-stocked pantry.
Summer is synonymous with laid-back dining. Whether hosting a lively braai, planning a casual picnic, or enjoying spontaneous no-cook nights, having quick and accessible options makes all the difference.
Here’s a guide to the must-have ingredients that will not only cut down on preparation time but also elevate your summertime culinary experience.
Couscous
A popular Middle Eastern and North African staple, couscous is made from semolina that’s been steamed and dried. Though not a grain, couscous is commonly used as a substitute for rice and pasta as it’s low in calories. It’s also incredibly handy when you’re in a rush to make dinner, as the couscous available in grocery stores has already been pre-cooked and dried, so it doesn’t need to be cooked. All you have to do is just rehydrate and plump the couscous and it’s ready to eat.
Fresh produce
Fruits and vegetables are at their peak in the summer, which also means they are cheapest. Make this the summer of experimentation with fresh produce.
Try making salsa out of watermelon, or better yet, grill it! Give pickling fresh vegetables a go (peppers, perhaps?). When fresh produce isn’t an option, make sure your freezer is stocked with frozen vegetables and frozen fruit. Frozen produce and fruit is preserved at the peak of freshness so it has all the nutritional value and flavour of the fresh stuff.
Cooling spices
Did you know certain spices in your kitchen can help cool you during the summer season? Spices like fennel, coriander and more contain certain properties that help cool your body and gut and also add refreshing flavours to your summer recipes.
Pasta
It is a given that standing inside your kitchen, in front of the hot stove, is uncomfortable on summer days. So to avoid standing there too long, you should find ways to cook faster!
What better meal than a hot plate of pasta. Cooking pasta for dinners saves a lot of time, and energy and you can finish preparing your meal in a matter of minutes. Also you can prepare a hearty meal of one-pot pasta, summer pasta salads or those easy red sauce and white sauce pasta on those days! So, isn’t that easy? Cook pasta and have a fiesta.
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