Cooking is something of a fine art, but even if you don’t consider yourself a chef, it’s always a good idea to stock your kitchen with a few ingredients. The right elements make it easy to prepare a meal quickly, whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining friends. Here are a few grocery items you should always have on hand.

The Supermarket Items Every Kitchen Needs

1. Beans

Beans are remarkably versatile. You can top a salad with kidney beans, for example, or prepare fresh homemade soup using navy beans. Garbanzo beans, commonly known as chickpeas, are ideal if you want to make hummus, and black beans are the perfect additive to any Mexican dish!

2. Eggs

Eggs aren’t just for breakfast. This grocery store staple is essential whether you’re whipping up an omelet for Sunday brunch, scrambled egg whites for your pre-workout meal, or baking a cake. It’s also an excellent anytime snack—a single egg contains six grams of protein and is great for filling up between meals. Stop in our deli, any day of the week, for eggs served whichever way you like them!

3. Bananas

Bananas are in season year-round. They’re packed with vital nutrients, including heart-healthy potassium. You can eat them on the go, use them to create a healthy ice cream substitute, prepare a homemade banana split, or make a fruit salad. Did you know that athletes also love them? The potassium content may help reduce muscle cramps! Economart offers both conventional and organic Dole^® bananas. 

4. Oatmeal

Studies show that oatmeal can reduce LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve digestion, and control blood pressure. These benefits alone make it a smart kitchen staple, but cooks can use this well-rounded ingredient to make healthy overnight oatmeal, smoothies, and cookies. Check with Shaun for any upcoming deals! 

5. Herbs

There are few ingredients that brighten up a meal better than fresh herbs. Pick up a few basics from the produce section, such as rosemary, dill, thyme, oregano, cilantro, and basil. You can use them to perk up soups, top your nachos, revitalize meat dishes, flavor vegetarian burgers, and add character to roasted vegetables. Ask Ken, our produce manager, for any special requests.

6. Honey

Honey is a multipurpose ingredient that you can squeeze onto oatmeal, into tea or lemonade, or even in a cocktail. But it’s also a great addition to a meal—you can use it to balance a spicy salad dressing or marinade, or drizzle it over roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or nuts. We offer locally harvested Minnesota and Wisconsin honey.

Since 1937, Schmitz’s Economart has been the go-to supermarket for residents in Spooner, WI. This is more than an average grocery store, however. The retailer proudly offers everything that you need under one roof, including a pharmacy, a flower shop, and a restaurant in the deli. They’re open 24 hours a day, so you can stop by anytime to fill your kitchen pantry with the essentials. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (715) 635-2836.