Guest post from Emma Higgs
Even if you live in Bristol, home to so much great food and drink that we cover everyday, few of us can afford to eat out every day. For most, a well-stocked cupboard is essential to keeping a balanced diet, or even just providing snacks, when you’re home and hungry. Due to the changes in food supply, quality, and import, the possibilities for the cupboard have never been better. Even if you’re an old hand at cupboard stocking, there may be some new tactics you’re unaware of.
Wines and Spirits. If you occasionally enjoy a glass of wine or liquor, for yourself or with company, then it is worth your while to invest in a quality stock for your cupboard. There are many excellent purveyors in Bristol. The advantage of shopping through a local merchant is the expertise. Few wine lovers can sample every single bottle that strikes their fancy. Instead, they’ve got to rely on research, intuition, and the recommendations of knowledgeable professionals, like our Bristol wine and liquor merchants. If you want wine that is not sold locally, the options for ordering wine online have never been better. However you stock your shelves, good drink is something every cupboard should have around.
Staples and Spices. Dry goods and spices are the foundation of so many of the world’s great foods, that it’s a real shame not to have quality items on hand at all times. Even the best examples of grains from around the world are quite affordable when compared to fancier foods, meaning you can indulge in quality without breaking the bank. Spices may be expensive by the kilo, but you need far less to flavour a meal. Buying a couple of grams of excellent paprika is an economical way to open up an entire culinary tradition, right in your own kitchen.
Healthy Snacking. There’s nothing wrong with snacking, but when we get a little peckish in the evening, we often resort to unhealthy foods simply because we are unprepared. This is not a problem for people with a well-stocked cupboard. There are many long-lasting snacks based on whole grains that will provide healthy snacking any time of the day. The cupboard is also a great place to stock prepared dry ingredients that can quickly be boiled into a hot meal. Many of these are easy to prepare and customise yourself, so get creative. In this way, having a cupboard that’s filled with excellent items is the perfect way to save time and money, while giving you something to munch on for a midnight snack.
There are loads of options when filling a pantry. If you cook, it’s your foundation for great food from traditions the world over. If you don’t spend a lot of time at the stove, your pantry can still be the basis of quick, easy meals, and healthy snacks. For all types of eaters, quality wines and spirits close at hand are a welcome addition to the cupboard. Your cupboard is yours, make it your own.