Here’s a list of what we always have on hand in the kitchen. We stock up when items are on sale, and then use them whenever the mood strikes. We’ve found that having a well-stocked pantry greatly reduces (okay, eliminates) the there’s nothing to eat at home excuse (which is nice when we’re on a budget). Generally speaking, our weeknight dinners are a combination of -
-
protein and starch – what’s on sale this week
-
produce – what’s in season right now
When we’re able to make something using only items in our arsenal and garden, we call it cooking in the free zone.
Maybe this list will inspire you to stock up, too.
Produce – Refrigerator
- Apple
- Artichoke
- Arugula
- Beet
- Beet green
- Carrot
- Celery
- Citrus: Grapefruit / Orange / Tangerine
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Lettuce
- Lime
- Spinach
- Squash, yellow and zucchini
Countertop
- Bananas
- Garlic
- Onions: red, white, brown, sweet
- Potatoes, russet
- Shallots
- Tomatoes
- Wine, red
Refrigerator
- Beer (His: Red Stripe; Hers: Fat Tire)
- Champagne
- Cheese: chevre, parmesan
- Chinese sausage
- Deli meats: pancetta, prosciutto, turkey
- Jam
- Orange juice
- Perrier, lime
- Sour cream
- Water (His: Arrowhead; Hers: Crystal Geyser)
- White wine, dry
- Yogurt (His: Dannon Lite; Hers: Yoplait Light)
Refrigerator Door
- Bouillon, beef and chicken
- Butter, salted and unsalted
- Cranberry juice
- Cream
- Eggs
- Horseradish
- Mayonnaise
- Milk
- Mustard, Dijon
- Tomato paste (tube)
- Water, sparking (Lime Perrier)
- Water, still (Arrowhead)
Other Condiments
- Anchovy paste
- Barbeque sauce
- Corn starch
- Capers
- Caramel sauce (nuoc mao)
- Fish sauce (nuoc mam)
- Garlic chili sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Honey
- Hot sauce: Sriracha and Tobasco
- Maggi
- Maple syrup
- Mirin
- Molasses
- Oil, canola, olive (extra virgin), peanut, safflower, sesame
- Olives
- Oyster Sauce
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce: regular and dark
- Sushi seasoning
- Syrup, maple
- Vinegar: balsamic, chinkiang, red wine, rice wine, white wine
- Worcestershire
- Yeast packets
Freezer
- Bacon
- Chicken, stock cubes, ice-cube and 1/2-cup portions
- Chicken, whole
- Sausage, spicy Italian
- Tamarind cubes
- Miscellaneous soups
Pantry
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Beans, kidney, pinto
- Bread crumbs: regular and Panko
- Broth, beef and chicken (canned)
- Cereal (His: Kashi; Hers: Special K)
- Chocolate chips
- Cocoa
- Coconut milk, canned
- Corn starch
- Couscous
- Flour, all-purpose
- Flour, bread
- Flour, semolina
- Fruits, dried: cranberry, ginger
- Marinara sauce
- Noodles, egg, rice
- Nuts: walnut, pecan, pine, pistachio, hazelnut
- Oatmeal
- Pasta, miscellaneous shapes and sizes
- Peanut butter
- Ranch dressing packets
- Rice: Arborio, Jasmine, sushi
- Sugar: white, brown, powdered, cane
- Tomatoes, canned: crushed, diced, sauce, stewed, whole
- Tomato paste
Spice Cabinet
- Basil
- Bay leaves: Turkish
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili: ground regular, ancho, chipotle, New Mexico; whole pequin
- Cloves: whole and ground
- Cinnamon: Saigon ground, whole, sticks
- Coriander: seed and ground
- Cumin
- Curry powder: regular and hot madras
- Dill
- Extracts: lemon, peppermint, vanilla
- Fennel
- Garlic powder
- Ginger: ground
- Mustard
- Nutmeg: whole and ground
- Onion: chopped and powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Peppercorns: whole
- Poultry seasoning
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- Saffron
- Sage
- Sesame seeds
- Wasabi powder
- Salts: gray, kosher, sea
Spirits
- Amaretto
- Marsala
- Sherry
- Vermouth
