What to Eat

shadowmaji photo courtesy Flickr

I’m visiting my son. He just took off for work, we arm-waved about dinner, and he asked me to Email some suggestions.

First, plan the menu from the store, not the cookbook. Look around the market for what’s cheapest. Often, the lowest price is for something that’s in season and relatively local, which means most nutritious. Not a bad combination.

Keep deli staples on the shelf: olive oil, sea salt, whole pepper, hard cheese for grating, olives, pepper sauce, turbinado sugar. Back them up with brown rice, pasta, canned and dry beans, and canned tomatoes. Add dried onion, vegetable bouillon cubes, and small amounts of the spices you use most often.

If you have the time and inclination to keep a few pots of herbs going, flat-leafed parsley, thyme, and rosemary will add life to a dish. Planting a clove of garlic that wants to sprout gives a ready source of minced green tops. Shallot tops are good, too.

If I were cruising around the market today, I’d look at deals on meat, enough for one dish, or a freezer pack of something that’s convenient to keep around, vegetables in season, including greens, fruit that stores well, lemons, and fresh garlic.

Then I’d scout the inner aisles for nuts, dark chocolate, crackers made with healthy fat, and Scandinavian rye crisp. It’s worth reading labels: some old-school brands have changed their formulas. If you can find a cookie made with butter, buy it. Otherwise, feed your sweet tooth with fruit.

Keep dried fruit on hand, good tea, coffee, and wine vinegar, some canned fish, and fresh eggs.

It’s easy to overlook good bread as a convenience food. Unsalted butter and white Oregon cheddar are good additions, as is pure peanut butter.

That’s enough to keep the wolf from the door. The pantry list isn’t much different from what hikers carry, except for fresh things.

With the basics on the shelf, you’ll always have something to eat when you’re hungry. It might not be exciting, but it will be good for body and wallet.

Shop intuitively. Buy what you eat. Eat what you buy. If something isn’t moving, get rid of it. Concentrate on basic ingredients: they give you the most meals for the money.

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