• Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. • If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement Home Kitchen & Household 8 Pantry Items That Home Cooks Are Sleeping on, According to Chefs Stock your pantry like a pro with these eight undercelebrated ingredients. • Infuse more fun into your pantry with these chef-approved ingredients. • Busy weeks breed autopilotgrocery runs. • We grab the same staples, cook the same meals and move on. • There’s no shame in falling back on the familiar, but a handful of underrated pantry additions can quietly transform the way you cook – giving worn-out recipes a second wind and sparking new cooking projects worth getting excited about.
Article Summaries:
- A recent feature highlights eight under‑utilized pantry staples that chefs say can revitalize everyday cooking. Interviewed chefs from across the U.S. recommend adding clam juice for its subtle ocean flavor in sauces, soups, and even cocktails; anchovies for a quiet umami boost; and celery seed for seasoning meats and dressings. Seaweed varieties-including sea lettuce, sugar kelp, and dulse-are praised for their mineral content and versatility in both savory and snack applications. Kombu, a brown kelp, is noted for its natural umami in stocks, marinades, and vegan dishes. The article also mentions dried chickpeas as a richer alternative to canned hummus, encouraging cooks to experiment with these overlooked ingredients.
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