Dried fruits and nuts are essential ingredients in desserts, pancakes, muffins, spreads and dips. Here is guide of essential dried fruits and nuts to keep in your pantry so that you don’t miss them while preparing dishes. While you may not need to store all types, few frequently used dried fruits and nuts can be stored for year round use; they come in handy in your kitchen.

Almonds: Almonds are great for evening snacks. Toast them with some spice and enjoy a bowl full of nutrition. They are used for cakes, desserts, dips, salads and smoothies. Almonds are must have in your kitchen, store them in plenty.

Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries can be used as a substitute to raisins. Hence storing dried cranberries will serve dual purpose in your kitchen. Use them in cakes, muffins and salads.

Walnuts: Walnut’s rich earthy taste is wonderful for salads, pasta and for stuffing as well. Keep them ready in your kitchen; you would need them very often.

Dried Apricots: Dried apricots are one of the favorite salad ingredients. Dried apricots mixed with soft cheese make nutritious appetizer. Toasted dried apricots are good for topping chicken and lamb recipes. It is an ideal ingredient for stuffing as well.

Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are used in baking cakes, muffins, cookies and breads. Add pine nuts to all kinds of salads to give a crunchy texture. They are used in meat, poultry and fish dishes.

Dried Cherries: Dried cherries go well with oatmeal. Because they are expensive, use wisely for special dishes but store them in your kitchen. 

Cashew: Cashew nuts are used in a variety of desserts, muffins, cakes and smoothies. They can be used as alternative to other nuts, so storing loads of cashew can save your dish when specific nuts are missing in your store.

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