The Items You Should Have In Your Pantry, According To Alex Guarnaschelli

Alex Guarnaschelli can cook anything. The frequent judge on Food Network's "Chopped" is all too familiar with how different ingredients can breed creativity in the kitchen. For that reason, she is constantly sharing tips and challenging us to think outside of the box we sometimes confine ourselves to in the kitchen. Guarnaschelli has told us ways to cook with radish leaves and even revealed the culinary combination that got her to finally like pineapple. But that creativity can really be heightened if you have a well-stocked pantry.

Maintaining a properly equipped pantry is easier said than done, and it's more of a lifelong journey than a one-time accomplishment. But having basic essentials that allow you to whip up a meal at a moment's notice can save you time, money, and multiple trips to the grocery store that you don't want to make. In the past, Guarnaschelli has shared her favorite spices to keep on hand for cooking adventures, and now the celebrity chef is giving us a glimpse at what she stores in her pantry (and probably what we should keep in ours, too). 

Per Variety, Guarnaschelli's pantry almost always has lentils, chickpeas, and beans, either canned or dry. "There are new ways to use them, and we're all looking to ideally make more than one meal out of one thing, right?" she explained about these versatile and filling foods. The pandemic made Guarnaschelli especially appreciate the importance of pantry foods, which have a long shelf life and can be used to feed a family for weeks, she told Women's Health. The host of "Supermarket Stakeout" is not alone in her assessment. 

Forbes reports that celebrity chef Michael Symon is also a fan of keeping beans on hand. "Beans of any kind, they last forever, are inexpensive, and a good balanced source of fiber, protein, and carbs," Symon said, adding that they can be used in everything from pasta to salads. Nashville-based chef Matt Bolus noted that chickpeas can even be ground into flour for flatbreads and baked goods or cooked and turned into delicious dips such as hummus. So, as you are thinking about stocking your own pantry, don't forget about lentils, chickpeas, and beans.