Must have Canned Food Items

Must have Canned Food Items

Modern canning methods utilize fruits, vegetables and meats that are processed at their peak of freshness to retain flavour, nutrients, texture and colour, and canning is a stable and reliable way to preserve food. It's so stable that some canned goods can be stored safely for up to five years under the right conditions

1. Tomato Products
Tomato sauce is one of the most versatile of canned products. Not just the sauce, but also the many other tomato based products. Tomato sauce is a blank canvas waiting for culinary your inspiration. You can make many popular dishes using a canned tomato base. How about spaghetti bolognaise, stew or pizza sauce? Most Tomato products are available at any grocery store – So get yours NOW!

2. Meals in a Can
There is nothing quite like the convenience of a complete in a can. If you want to prepare a fast, easy lunch or dinner – get yourself a meal in a can! There are more complete-meal options available in cans today than ever before, and keeping a few of these meals handy will insure that you never go hungry.

3. Condensed Soup
Soup is great for a quick meal by itself, or as a foundation for other dishes. If you want to experiment, try a basic beef, chicken or vegetable soup and create your own personalized dish. Need something heartier than a thin broth? How about using a cream soup, like broccoli, mushroom or asparagus, in your next casserole or as a side dish? Once you stock up on canned soup - you'll always have options.

4. Sauces
Canned sauces took the idea that started with simple tomato products and condensed soups and simply added a gourmet touch. Many of these preparations only need the addition of a little meat (chicken, beef, pork). If you need to cut minutes off your preparation time - invest in some “cook-in sauces” for a great meal in no-time!

5. Vegetables
Canned and frozen vegetables lose some of their food value, but still maintain a good percentage of their nutrients. Canned produce are also very convenient - as you can find canned vegetables year round that might only be available fresh seasonally. If you're on a tight budget - using canned vegetables in some of your meals is a great way to stretch your food budget.

6. Fruit
Adding a few canned fruits to your pantry, like pears, peaches and apples, can make a big difference at mealtime. Don't stick with the same old vegetables - Use fruit to add a little gusto to dinner. Canned fruit does not have to be loaded with extra sugar and calories - Simply look for varieties that are packed in their own juices.

7. Fish
Maintaining a supply of canned tuna is a great way to get the advantages of eating fish, without the extra hassle of shopping for fresh fish at the market. Comparable to tuna - canned herring and salmon also have loads of omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health.

8. Canned Meats
There are a number of minced and ground meat products that taste great on a sandwich and make a satisfying stand-in as an appetizer. From chicken to chopped liver, canned meats are ready to be transformed with the addition of a little mayonnaise, some veggies and a few spices. They are also a practical choice - When you need portable food that doesn't require refrigeration, canned meat is ideal.

9. Beans
Beans are loaded with mineral and vitamins and they are a low cost source of protein that can be extremely versatile. A single serving of beans, about a half cup (125 g), barely contains 120 calories and has six to seven grams of protein. The dense composition of most beans, together with their protein content, will make you feel full for longer.

10. Juices
Canned juices are not only made for drinking. For instance -both tomato and vegetable juice are used in lots of one-dish meals, like stews and casseroles, and having a couple of cans in your pantry will supply you with some interesting possibilities.

John Conrad wrote this article for Rhodes Quality, a canned food and easy recipes provider in South Africa.