Monsoons have arrived and excessive rains have disrupted the everyday lives of locals in different regions across India. So much so that various state administrations are issuing ‘stay at home’ and ‘work from home’ notices to make people aware. This means it’s time to stock up your kitchen with everyday essentials to avoid stepping out of the house. Are you getting nervous while making a list? Don’t worry! As always, we are here to help. We have curated a list of kitchen and cooking essentials that every Indian household should have for everyday cooking. However, we suggest not stocking your kitchen with more than what is needed to prevent food wastage. Read on.
Also read: These 5 things should be there in your kitchen this monsoon
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Are you planning to stock up on some items in your kitchen this monsoon? Here are 7 essential cooking items you must have:
1. Pulses and lentils:
From dal, rajma, lobia and more, we suggest keeping a few extra packets of these everyday pulses and lentils to make a variety of recipes at home. The best part is that these ingredients are rich in almost every essential nutrient and can be used to make snacks and complete meals.
2. Rice and flour:
Rice and roti are staple food for everyone in India. Hence, we suggest buying raw rice and flour in bulk and keeping them in stock for emergency purposes. However, we suggest avoiding buying items in large quantities, especially during the monsoon season. Wondering why? This is because the high humidity during the season makes raw rice and flour a breeding ground for pests and germs, leading to complete food spoilage.
3. Potatoes and onions:
Although we don’t advocate buying fresh vegetables in large quantities, you can always keep some basic essentials at home. Take potatoes and onions for example. These two items can help you make a variety of vegetables for your daily meals.
4. Eggs:
Eggs are man’s best friend. One or two eggs can help you create a variety of dishes for different appetites. Eggs also contain essential nutrients. So we recommend buying at least one crate of eggs and keeping them in your pantry so you can have them whenever you need them.
5. Biscuits and Dry Snacks:
Biscuits, puffed rice, sev and other dry snacks always help you during those odd hours of the day. They are light, easy to eat and enough to last for an hour or two. You can also have these dry snacks with evening tea while enjoying the sound of the water dripping on the window panes.
6. Ginger-Garlic Paste and Spices:
Never run out of essential spices. These can come in handy when preparing different dishes. Some of the spices and pastes that you should have in your kitchen include ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, whole cumin seeds, red chilli and garam masala, salt and sugar.
7. Yogurt and Milk Powder:
Are you someone who cannot imagine tea without milk? If your answer is yes, then dear reader, we suggest keeping a packet of milk powder at home. You never know, excessive rains can anytime disrupt your daily supply of milk packets! Also, keep a container of curd stored to prevent stomach-related problems during monsoons.
Here are some other essentials you should keep with you during monsoon: Prepared foods, ghee and oil, dry fruits and nuts.
Also read: 8 Monsoon Diet Tips You Must Follow For Good Health
Here’s a quick tip to preserve food for a longer time during monsoon:
As mentioned, food spoilage often happens during monsoons due to the high humidity in the air. This is why, cooked and uncooked food items need special care to keep them safe and fresh for a longer period of time. While a simple search on the internet will bring up a list of storage options, here we have a tried and tested hack for you.
All you need to do is buy airtight containers and store your food in a cool and dry place. Click here to know more such tricks to prevent food from spoiling during the monsoon season.
