Pantry Must-Haves During Lockdown

Panic buying was rampant post the 21-day-lockdown announcement as a measure to curb the COVID-19 menace; but unfortunately most of the edibles purchased in a rush would have rotted and gone waste

What is required is a little thought and planning to set up a well-stocked pantry and tide over these troubled times. 

Here are some tips on what to stash your pantry with during these uncertain times - 

1. Stock up on basic staple items like grains and pulses which occupy less space; this includes – rice, wheat, dal, kidney beans and chickpeas. The last two can double up as yummy chaat during times of veggie shortage
2. The spice (masala) mandate comprises – turmeric, coriander, cumin, chilli and asafoetida, as well as whole mustard and whole cumin.  Other regional varieties include - the five spiced paanch phoran combination for eastern cuisine; the dhaniya-jeera Gujarati combo; curry leaves for the South-Indian delicacies; and mango powder (aamchur) for the Sindhi dishes.  Masala mixes like chana masala and tandoori masala are also a good idea to store up on
3. Opt for hardy veggies like onion, taro root, potatoes, beetroot etc.; fruits which can be puréed and then frozen for long-time use like tomatoes, bananas, apples, oranges, coconuts etc.; and miracle herbs like basil, ginger, parsley, mint etc.
4. Good snacks to store up would be our Indian chikki; salted peanuts; roasted grams; dry-fruits; rusks; khakhras etc.
5. Milk powder; eggs; cheese; and canned foods (baked beans or slices of pineapple, cured meats and cold cuts) which are served well-cooked are additional items to stock up on