A friend once asked how I'm able to fix nutritious meals for my family in the time it takes her to order takeout. My answer: Thanks to years of working in restaurants, I've learned to run my home kitchen like a pro, using staples to turn any produce or protein into an impromptu weeknight "special." The secret isn't having a comprehensive pantry; it's having a carefully curated one filled with healthful, versatile products in a wide range of flavors, from salty miso to sweet raisins. Here are the items that I think deserve shelf space. --Ronna Welsh, founder of Purple Kale Kitchenworks
Photographs by Matt Duckor