If you’re looking to stock your pantry with staples that provide flexibility and flavor along with affordability, then split peas and black beans should be at the top of your list. Here are some of the reason these two fiber-filled items always make the cut when it comes to deciding what healthy cheap food items we put on our grocery shopping list.
Black beans are extremely versatile.
Because of the bean’s small size, many black bean recipes don’t take as long to cook as some of the foods prepared from their larger bean counterparts. Black beans also contain a fair amount of antioxidants, and can be used in anything from a spinach salad, Caribbean food and a number of Mexican recipes as well. They have a meaty texture, and if you keep a few cans of prepared ones in the pantry, there are a number of meals that can be prepared extremely quickly.
Split peas are about as cheap as it gets, even when you buy the organic version.
Not only are they affordable, but these things cook extremely quickly. That makes split pea recipes perfect for the family cook on the go. Vegan split pea soup, soak and mash split pea falafel and many other meals can be crafted affordably, making this food one of several frugal items you’ll want to include on your organic vegan grocery list.
Another thing I enjoy about both of these food items is that they can store for long periods of time in your pantry, provided you have something airtight in which to keep them. They don’t require fridge or freezer space until after they’ve been cooked, and are both equally suited to spending a day in the family crock pot when things get busy. What are your favorite pantry staples?
Photo Credit: Bobojudge
