Go directly to list of Crisper Essentials
One of the hazards of being a casual cook (someone who, like me, cooks because they need to eat and not the other way round) is that we tend not to think ahead and, when the spirit moves us, cook whatever’s in the fridge. That’s fine, as long as there is something in the fridge! That’s where ‘Crisper Essentials’ come in.
Crisper Essentials are a limited range of fruit and fresh vegetables that are affordable, readily available, can be purchased in small quantities, keep well, and can be used in a variety of ways. I like to have a few, if not all of them, always on hand in the fridge.
Crisper Essentials can be used to supplement the ‘hero’ ingredient of a dish, either vegetable or meat. If there is no ‘hero’ vegetable on hand, they can be used as a basis for my daily all-vegetable dish, usually in combination with Standby Vegetables and/or a staple, and, in some cases, can be ‘heroes’ on their own account. (See more below.)
Below is my list of Crisper Essentials, but if your tastes differ from mine, you can, of course, make your own selection.
Most of the items in this list can be eaten raw and so feature in the entry Cold Salads from the Pantry.
Crisper Essentials also feature in the entry Quick Vegetable Side Dishes from the Pantry.
You’ll also find links to other recipe collections that feature Crisper Essentials through the entry Quick Meals from the Pantry.
Crisper Essentials are widely used on this website in cooked dishes and desserts, so just use ‘Search’ to find recipes that use any of the following ingredients that you have on hand.
Crisper Essentials:
§ Spinach Leaves/Lettuce/Coleslaw mix – I would recommend that you regularly have some of at least one of these in your fridge. All can be used in a variety of ways: to give a vegetable boost to a sandwich, in a salad, as a side and in cooked dishes. As these greens don’t last quite as long as the other Crisper Essentials, they each have their own entry to give you a variety of ways to use them – raw in salads when still fresh and in cooked dishes when they begin to wilt a little – and thus minimise any waste.
As well as featuring in the entry Cold Salads from the Pantry, their individual entries are as follows:
» Things to do with Fresh Spinach
» Things to do with Coleslaw Mix
§ Mushrooms (button or flat) – probably one of the most versatile vegetables available, mushrooms can be eaten raw in a salad, can be cooked in a variety of ways and can accompany many other vegetables, chicken and meat, and in some dishes, can be substituted for diced bacon. As mushrooms are also a ‘Hero’ Vegetable, you’ll find several recipes for them in the entry Hero Veg: Mushrooms.
§ Cherry tomatoes – there are a range of small tomatoes available which can collectively be called cherry tomatoes. Sweeter and tastier than larger tomatoes, they are ideal for salads and sides, and can be used in cooked dishes as well, such as those in the entry Hero Veg: Tomato
§ Cucumber – cucumber is great in salads, as a snack or in a stir fry. There are several varieties of cucumber available, but I prefer Lebanese cucumbers because they’re small and therefore less likely to go to waste.
§ Celery – not exactly an essential, but a useful addition to the crisper. Celery can be added to salads, stir fries, soups and vegetable medleys as well as making a healthy snack. Its leaves can also be used as a fresh herb. However, celery is often only available as a whole or half head, so look out for loose or packaged cut down celery sticks.
§ Red capsicum – an essential in Mediterranean cuisine, red capsicum can be eaten raw in a salad and added in a wide variety of dishes. (Red onion can often be substituted for capsicum.) As capsicum is also a ‘Hero’ Vegetable, you’ll find several recipes for it in the entry Hero Veg: Capsicum.
§ Carrot – carrot is another vegetable that can be eaten raw in a salad, can be used as a side, and added to a variety of dishes. It also makes a quick and easy healthy snack. As carrot is also a ‘Hero’ Vegetable, you’ll find several recipes for it in the entry Hero Veg: Carrot.
§ Small/medium potatoes – a staple of most cuisines, a potato can be added to a wide variety of dishes and can be used to bolster soups. As potatoes are also a ‘Hero’ Vegetable, you’ll find several recipes for them in the entry Hero Veg: Potato.
§ Granny Smith apple – as a tart fruit, a Granny Smith apple can be added to salads, used in some cooked dishes, and form the basis of a quick and healthy dessert. See Things to do with a Granny Smith Apple.
§ Small/Medium Bananas – obviously bananas shouldn’t be kept in the crisper, but they’re certainly essential. Apart from being delicious on their own and a good source of potassium and magnesium, they can be used in smoothies and milk shakes, in baking and to make quick and healthy desserts. See Things to do with a Banana.