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Lifestyle

Spice Up Your Cabinets with these Unique Pantry Items

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at U Mass Boston chapter.

As we know, throughout the year some weird things pile up in our cabinets. We buy those items and we only use them once. If you check, you will probably find some of these floating around in your cabinets, just sitting there with no use. But that has to stop. Let’s find the use for those weird finds. With spring cleaning approaching, we have a perfect opportunity to do so: here are some ways to use these unique items. If you don’t have any of these, you might want to consider getting a few of these unique items to spice up your cabinets.

Citric Acid

Citric acid can be sprinkled on fruits to keep them from getting brown. Instead of having to cut open a lemon or lime and wasting the rest of it, this powdered substance can be used as the perfect alternative. Citric Acid can also be used for cleaning purposes as well as various household experiments

Meringue Powder

This ingredient was in my cabinet for quite a while. Initially, I got it because I loved to use it when making Royal Icing for cookies and cakes. But, Meringue Powder can also be used as an egg white substitute. Making a perfect meringue is quite time-consuming, but with this powder, the process can be done much easier. 

Matcha

skin tea herb
Sam Jesner

Matcha is a powdered version of green tea. It can also help boost your metabolism and reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Sprinkle some of this powder into your coffee, teas, or favorite recipes to get a flavor boost. Click on the link to find Spoon Boston University’s take on making the perfect matcha pancakes

Arrowroot

Arrowroot is a type of starch that works as a thickener. It adds no additional taste to food once mixed in. It’s much like cornstarch except it breaks down during the cooking on high-heat. I use this ingredient when I’m making creams, custards, and puddings as it provides more structure and body to the recipes. Arrowroot can also be used in grain-free and gluten-free diets

Xanthan Gum

Xantham Gum is commonly found in lotions and liquid makeups. But, I use it for different purposes. Xantham Gum is in my cabinet because of its quality to add volume to gluten-free baked goods. Other than using this ingredient for gluten-free diets, I also use it as an emulsifier and a binder in sorbets that are made from fresh fruit. 

Powdered Peanut Butter

slather peanut butter peanut
Jocelyn Hsu

The is a perfect snack to keep in your cabinet. Powdered Peanut Butter is in my cabinet because it is a lower calorie alternative to traditional peanut butter. I add it to yogurts and smoothies to add that smooth peanut butter flavor. Check out this article 5 Things You Should Be Adding Powdered Peanut Butter To provided by Spoon University of Pittsburgh. 

Whether you’re doing some spring cleaning or looking for a way to spice up your cabinets, these are the perfect ingredients to keep and use. Not only they are great to play with, they are also quite healthy for our bodies! Have fun and experiment away!

Michelle Cremone

U Mass Boston '18

Just a pastry princess sharing all my favorite food secrets with y'all