What I Always Have In My Fridge

Everyone is different; Thats what makes humans so amazing. We vary in our views, our abilities, even our experiences. And, when we cook, the food on our plate can be seen as the accumulation of these differences brought forth in an outward expression of oneself. Since food is such a beacon of self-reflection and discovery, I think it is no suprise that, much like us, no fridge is the same on the inside. What I am trying to say is, you can tell a lot about a person by the food they keep on hand.

Today I wanted to take a moment to share a little about myself by revealing what some of my favourite food staples are to keep around. So without any further delay, here is a list of what I like to keep in my fridge. Please enjoy!

1. Liquid Egg Whites

What is not to love about egg whites? They are a decent source of protein, and offer much in the way of versatility. I most commonly use them to make a quick breakfast, as they tend to cook very quickly. Some notable uses are breakfast burritos, denver sandwiches, and a quick egg scramble.

2. Veggie Plate

Slice some veggies and and toss em' on a plate! Vegetables have certainly earned their place in the snack hall of fame for both their simplicity and taste. Everyone has a different set of vegetables they prefer to go with. I tend to go for cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, celery, and bell peppers of any colour. On occasion, I will change things up by using mushrooms or snap peas. Don't forget to pair these with a dip of your choice.

3. Soy Milk

Okay, hear me out- soy milk has a lots of potential. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of tasting this drink, it has such a full, smooth texture. Another thing I love about this dairy-free alternative is the vast array of options available when it comes to flavour and sweetness. Do you want sweetened or unsweeted? Vanilla or chocolate? It's up to you. You can also make this beverage at home and customize it any way you like.

4. Feta

The most superior of cheeses, feta will always have a place in my fridge. And my heart. When available, I try to get the herb variety but any type of feta will do; i'm not a picky person. I do eat more greek salad than should be humanly possible, so it is 100% necessary to have this cheese stocked at home.

5. Gochujang

Gochujang is a salty and savoury paste often used in Korean cuisine. I highly recommend gochujang for those wanting to add a little heat to their meals. For me, gochujang is used in preparing sundubu-jjigae(tofu stew) or gochujang noodles. If you want to try it out, you can find this ingredient at most eastern grocery stores, or sometimes in the international aisle if you are lucky.

6. Skyr Yogurt

Skyr is an Icelandic yogurt that, although similar to Greek yogurt, has its differences. Skyr has more calories on average, but also more protein and less sugar per serving. Most days, I simply eat it with fruit, but you could also chill the yogurt to make an excellent summer treat. When I can't find skyr however, Greek yogurt acts as a great alternative.

7. Kombucha

A light, refeshing, and typically fruity-tasting drink: kombucha is a must. Some of my favourite flavours are guava, mango, and ginger. Kombucha is also believed to aid in the digestion process, so that's a plus. You can make it at home, but personally i'm not that brave. Yet. For now, I always purchase the premade stuff. My go-to brands are "GT's" or "Rise".

8. Sriracha

10/10 for this one. You can use it straight up as a dip or you can add it to creamy sauces to make a bangin' combination. If you want to elevate your soup experience, or just add a little bit of zest to a salad or banh mi, look no further. I would take this stuff everywhere if I could!

9. Kimchi

So. Much. Flavour. If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, this might be what I choose. I love having kimchi both as an accompaniment to a meal i'm enjoying or just by itself. I also like to make kimchijeon on those cold winter days when i'm stuck at home. Unfortunately for me, most store-bought kimchi uses seafood in some aspect, that of which I cannot consume. Luckily, if you have the time to spare, kimchi can be made at home with or without the fish.

10.Overnight Oats

Best breakfast in existence. I have very limited time most mornings, so I benefit from taking 2-3 minutes the night before to make this sweet breakfast in advance. One of the best things about overnight oats is the seemingly endless amount of options you are given. My favorite recipe includes vanilla and blueberries, but you can experiment with anything from raspberries to chocolate. If you have one, try using a large jar to store your oats; it gives yourself 3-4 portions for the following days.

Bonus: Premade Sandwiches.

Sometimes you just need something quick to grab and take with you on the go. I usually make 2 or 3 of these guys depending on how things are going in my life at that given time. These sandwiches will almost always be either egg salad or chickpea salad; they are easy to make and have a decent shelf life.

So that's the end! I hope that this list inspired you to try something new:) What do you keep in your fridge? Until next time!

-Matchajin