← Quora archive  ·  2011 Jun 22, 2011 11:59 AM PDT

Question

What makes for a great minimalist 80-20 food lifestyle?

Answer

Mine:

Equipment

  1. Cutting board and knife
  2. One medium saucepan with lid
  3. One griddle or frying pan, medium or large
  4. One large and one small mixing bowl
  5. One spatula
  6. One ladle
  7. One rolling pin
  8. Two plates, two spoons, two forks, two microwaveable glasses or mugs
  9. Half dozen tupperware containers, assorted sizes

Pantry

  1. Bulk rice
  2. Bulk ground whole wheat
  3. Bulk lentils (probably toor dal, pigeonpeas)
  4. Bulk chick peas
  5. Salt, sugar, coffee
  6. Canola oil
  7. Turmeric, red pepper powder, cumin, corriander powder
  8. Soy sauce

Freezer

  1. Large bulk bags of french-cut green beans, spinach and peas

Routine Shopping List

  1. Onions, potatoes, green chillies, bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers
  2. Soy milk and firm tofu
  3. Whatever fresh veggies are available and suitable for either Indian pan-frying or Chinese/Thai style stir-frying
  4. Seasonal fresh fruit
  5. Small quantities of bulk nuts, unroasted

Routine Recipes

  1. Rice
  2. Dal
  3. Roti
  4. Fried veggies, Indian style
  5. Chinese or Thai style tofu stir fry
  6. Salads
  7. Flat bread sandwiches/wraps
  8. Soggy potato chips/french fries

This is vegan-minimalist-Indian mainly.

I'd have to forgo some of my more complex favorites, like idli, dosa, pakoras, dishes that require a grinder or more complex spices like tamarind paste, sambar powder or garam masala that I currently use routinely.