These are the ingredients I love and always like to have stocked in my kitchen. They're the basics I reach for day in, day out – whether I’m prepping something quick or planning meals for the week.
I believe good food starts with simple, quality ingredients – so here’s a peek inside my kitchen cupboard, and the staples I rely on to support health, energy and ease in everyday life.
Ophelia’s Kitchen Favourites
Supporting your Health & Sustaining your Energy
Simple, adaptable foods that support everyday health — without complication
At the heart of my approach to food is a simple belief:
What we eat should provide us with sustainable energy whilst supporting our gut health, which underpins all of our health markers. As well as tasting delicious and fitting real life.
Fibre is essential to support both sustained energy and our gut health, yet 97% of the UK don’t meet the recommendations for eating enough fibre - vegetables, legumes & wholegrains are essential to meet this.
This pantry is not about perfection. It’s about intentional choices, understanding why foods are on our plate, and using evidence-led nutrition to guide everyday meals.
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Ottolenghi’s Green Chilli Harissa
Harissa is a spicy chilli paste that brings an earthy heat to food. Our Green Harissa does the same, with an added zing. Jalapenos, green peppers and fermented green chillis create a complex heat that doesn’t bite your head off. Loosen with olive oil and drizzle over dips and salads for some spicy acidity.
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Hodmedod’s Grains and Flours
Their rye flour is perfect for making a rye sourdough. I love their black barley flakes with my breakfast yogurts and seeds/nut mix.
I (weirdly maybe!) put 2 tsp in a bowl with some hot water and microwave them for 2 minutes. So they still rearing their nutty textures but aren’t rock hard. With a dollop of Greek yogurt, nuts seeds and maybe some pomegranate seeds. My perfect start to my day.
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Fage Total 5% Fat Greek Recipe Yogurt
Best Yogurt:
Plain strained yoghurt that’s unbelievably thick and creamy. High Protein; medium fat so satiating with relative good calorie content
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Eaten Alive Hot Sauces
I keep high-quality sauces from Eaten Alive in my cupboard—they’re fermented, flavorful, vegan, and add a punch to simple dishes. Whether drizzled on fish, mixed into veggies, or stirred into grain bowls, their smoky, tangy taste elevates meals. These natural, gut-friendly staples turn everyday food from “nice” to “noteworthy,” fitting my healthy lifestyle.
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Bold Bean Co - Melt-In-The-Mouth Jarred Beans
I keep a jar of Bold Bean Co in my cupboard because it elevates “just open a tin” to something delicious. These premium, slow-cooked beans preserve texture and flavor, perfect for simple, plant-powered meals. Use them in salads, warm with greens, or blend into a dip. They’re consistently tasty and reliable, fitting my nutritious lifestyle perfectly.