The 7 Most Versatile Ingredients That Will Always Save You

Between work, social life, and the desire to sleep, sometimes we have very little time left for household tasks, such as going grocery shopping. The good news is that it doesn't matter if you go to the supermarket two or four times, because with these ingredients you can prepare delicious dishes without needing to overthink it. Flour Whether it's the typical wheat flour or a gluten-free version, this ingredient can do wonders. From delicious pancakes to tasty stuffed peppers or a crispy piece of fried chicken, flour is a great ally in the kitchen. Did you know that you can give more body to your sauces by adding a little flour? Salt You don't need to be a kitchen expert to prepare tasty food. Most of the time, a pinch of salt can enhance and improve the flavor of a cake or a cut of meat. Choose unrefined sea salt for a better texture. Vinegar You don’t need to look for an exotic version; typical apple vinegar can work wonders in the kitchen. A splash of vinegar with a bit of baking soda can make a fluffy cake without needing to use yeast, while vinegar with oil can turn a simple bed of lettuce into an exquisite salad. Discover everything you can do with vinegar. Rice Come on, there's no need to complicate your life: good old white rice can get you out of a jam more than once. You don't need five varieties of rice in your pantry. Prepare some horchata, a poblano rice, or rice pudding, and you'll see how well they turn out. Beans This ingredient is a must, especially in a Mexican kitchen. It's true that there are many types of beans, but to be more practical, just choose the one you like best. Are you craving a chocolate bean cake or some molletes? Chiles Definitely, this is a staple in Mexican food. It's true that the type of chile depends a lot on the recipe or the region of the country, but a jalapeño is good for stuffing and serving as a snack or for seasoning a stew. If you don't like very spicy food, remove the veins from the chiles before adding them to the rest of the ingredients. Potato This is possibly one of the most versatile ingredients. Its mild flavor pairs well with almost any ingredient, and its texture offers a wide variety of presentations: baked, fried, in soup, mashed, etc. We recommend these recipes: Chocolate and Bean Cake Oven-Baked Cambray Potatoes Rice Horchata Stuffed Chiles with Mexican Cheese