Online grocery shopping is a convenient and safe way to shop, and the major supermarket chains have already been providing this service for years. Our advice? Write a small list to put your ideas in order and so you won’t be tempted by unnecessary purchases.
Speaking of useful purchases, the most important items are – in our opinion – pasta, rice, tuna in oil, canned legumes, tomato sauce, flour, yeast, eggs, and milk. Here's why.
Pasta
At home, it’s important to always have pasta on hand – not just because it’s delicious, but also because it’s rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber (and also low in fat). One of the fundamental ingredients for the Mediterranean diet that guarantees a complete and nutritious meal for the whole family.
Rice
Rice is very useful food for the body thanks to its countless properties – it’s easy-to-digest and helps regulate intestinal flora. Plus rice doesn’t have gluten so it’s great if you have celiac disease! Another good reason? Risotto is delicious!
Canned tuna
Tuna is another one of those ingredients that everyone loves. We can use it with pasta and rice, make a wonderful big salad, accompany it with cooked vegetables or prepare delicious sandwiches. Practical, cheap and lasts a long time in the pantry!
Canned legumes
Beans, chickpeas, peas or lentils – pick your favorites. These will help with daily meal prep. They are also a great source of vegetable proteins and if combined with cereals, they give us quite a few essential amino acids. We can use them with pasta and rice, eat them as a side dish or prepare soups or vellutate.
Tomato sauce
Another essential product is tomatoes – purchased peeled, puréed or chopped. Tomato sauce is perfect with pasta, rice, and risotto, and it’s great for adding extra flavor to meat and egg dishes. It is also a source of nutrients – especially potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and K.
Flour
Sometimes we don't think about it, but with flour, we can make just about anything! From fresh pasta, gnocchi and bread to cakes, pizza or focaccia. Of course you don't need to be an expert baker –a good cake or pizza made by hand is always a pleasure. Opt for 00 flour or pastry flour that will go well both sweet and savory recipes – especially for adding flour to meat or pasta sauces. If you have someone in your family who is intolerant of gluten, choose rice flour instead.
Yeast
If there are gourmets in the family, we suggest keeping some baking powder in the pantry for all the best creations (like cakes, muffins, and donuts). If you prefer more savory dishes, we suggest having some brewer's yeast on hand. It goes very well with doughs for bread, pizza, and focaccia.
Eggs
Eggs are also among the basic ingredients that you should always have in the kitchen. They feature a high nutritional value and can be used in many different ways. Beyond the many recipe possibilities and classic omelettes, eggs are useful for desserts, fresh pasta, cream, sauces, and savory pies.
Milk
Milk is one of the most complete and nutritious foods out there; it’s rich in calcium and phosphorus, vitamins D, B and A – plus it contains protein, fat, and minerals. You can drink a glass in the morning or integrate it into your dishes with recipes for cakes, vellutate, béchamel sauces, creams or fondues!
