Holiday Pantry Staples

If it’s any time in-between the months of October and December, one of the only places you’ll find me is in the kitchen.

Holidays are one of my favorite times to be in the kitchen, even though I love baking and cooking year-round. Since I was tall enough to see over the counter, I have wanted to help prepare meals, and desserts, for the holidays. When I was little, I always had specific meals I helped my Nana make. Now, I take charge of the cooking and have noticed some pantry staples that you should keep stocked every season.

1. Chicken Broth

From mashed potatoes and soups to stuffing, chicken broth is one of the most important holiday pantry staples. My family uses it in many holiday dishes, but I’ve also found it useful when planning my weekly menu.

2. Fall Spices

Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are a must-have. When you think of fall food, most of the time these spices will come to mind. Some of my favorite dishes to add these spices include stuffings, sweet potato casseroles, and gravy. It adds just a little bit of sweetness to the traditionally savory dishes.

3. Heavy Cream

If you’re not keeping heavy cream in the fridge during the holidays, you’re doing it wrong. It’s a staple for whipped cream, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more. It’s super easy to get in bulk and stays good for a couple of weeks if unopened.

4. Apple Cider

This is one of my favorite holiday drinks, but it can also be used in many recipes. I love adding it into sweet loaves of bread and muffins for that extra kick of fall flavor. It’s also a good addition to pie recipes for a dash of apple flavoring.

5. Oranges

I use oranges for garnish and dishes to help break up flavors. It’s great to have a couple of tablespoons of fresh orange juice in spiced desserts and for dishes needing some zest.

I hope you utilize some of these ingredients during your holidays and find new ways to incorporate them into your dishes!

Be well, Auburn.