THE HEALTHY ITALIAN PANTRY

It’s truly never been easier to cook healthy meals with convenience. In fact, more and more options at the grocery store can help you whip up a nutritious meal in the same amount of time as picking up takeout – really! There are more fruits, vegetables and herbs grown throughout ALL the seasons. There are more whole grains like spelt, super foods like quinoa and low-sodium options like canned no-salt-added beans and tomatoes available at your local grocer. Pair fresh produce with nutrient-rich pantry ingredients and you’ve got the foundations for so many delicious Italian dishes that are as good for you as they are brimming with flavour. Take a look in my pantry and you’ll find these essentials that I stock for easy, convenient meals to make any time of the week. (You’ll find an expanded list of pantry staples and tips in The Healthy Italian.)

• Whole grains and flours
• Dried whole-grain and multigrain pasta
• Whole-grain bread crumbs/coating
• Dried beans/legumes
• Vegetables (canned/preserved/dried)
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Canned fish
• Seasoning, dried herbs and spices
• Reduced-sodium broths
• Nuts