Smart Tips for Successful Meals

Preparing food at home can be a great way to save money, express creativity and stay on track with healthful eating. However, cooking can also be a challenge for many people.

With a few tips and tools, cooking at home becomes a little bit easier for everyone!

Keep a Well-Stocked Pantry

If you don't have time to plan meals some days or have unexpected guests, a well-stocked pantry can relieve some of the pressure when it comes time to make a meal. Keep the following on hand for quick, easy-to-fix dishes.

Shelf Stable Products

•Dried or canned beans, peas and lentils (such as black, garbanzo, kidney, white and pinto beans; green, yellow or split peas and lentils)

•Canned vegetables with no added salt(such as diced tomatoes, peas, green beans and corn)

•Whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, millet and whole-grain pasta)

•Pouches or canned fsh and chicken

•Olive, canola or other vegetable oils

•Dried herbs and spices

Frozen Foods

•Vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and brussel sprouts)

•Fruit (such as berries, cherries and bananas)

•Whole wheat pizza dough

•Frozen poultry or seafood

Invest in the Right Tools

While you may be able to improvise, the following kitchen tools make working in the kitchen easier.

• Baking sheets and roasting pans
• Stock pot, sauce pans and skillets
• Tongs and spatulas
• Slotted and mixing spoons
• Potholders and towels
• Colander or strainer
• Mixing bowls in various sizes
• Separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Chef knives and vegetable peelers

Don't Stress

You don't need to be a master chef in order to whip up something tasty and nutritious.

You can create healthy and tasty meals without a recipe.

For example:

• Baked fish with sautéed veggies and rice
• Black bean and vegetable burrito
• Scrambled eggs with cheese, salsa and whole grain toast

If you don't have an ingredient, try substituting with something similar:

• Making black bean burgers but running short on black beans? Try them with pinto beans instead.
• Having pasta but forgot the sauce? Toss together canned tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil and season with herbs to provide that extra favor.
• If you're missing sour cream, plain Greek yogurt can be used in its place in chili, on potatoes and in baked goods.
• Cauliflower can replace broccoli in casseroles and soups.

Mix and Match

These easy combinations pair well and contain many items you may already have on hand:

• Whole grain pasta with garbanzo beans and canned tomatoes, seasoned with basil and served with a medley of microwaved frozen vegetables on the side.
• Quinoa with black beans, corn, and bell pepper, dressed with olive oil and lime juice.
• Salad with lettuce, hard boiled eggs, tuna, tomatoes and olives and dressed with a little olive oil and vinegar.
• Soup using grilled or baked chicken, low-sodium broth, veggies and brown rice.