Recipe Index

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Pantry Staples


Before you look at this list, please be sure to keep the following in mind:

1) You do not have to start out with everything on this list in order to cook a good meal or be efficient in the kitchen.

2) And, don't pressure yourself to sock away enough food and "pantry basics" for a year's worth of meal preparation.

3) Just buy what you can and gradually add the others.


Pantry:
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Vegetable Oil (it's pricier but much healthier to substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil)
Balsamic Vinegar
Red Wine Vineger
Apple Cider Vinegar
Spices (cinnamon, black pepper, crushed red pepper, salt, Italian blend seasoning, oregano, paprika, ground ginger, nutmeg, cumin)
Dried Herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano, sage, dill)
Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Spice Salute (I use this very frequently.  Love it.)
Canned Tuna
Canned Beans
Chicken Broth
Tomato Paste
Pasta (or Marinara) Sauce
Canned Tomatoes
Red and White Wines (In my humble opinion, "cooking wines" are horrendous.  Just use the real thing.)
Brown Rice
Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, penne)
Egg Noodles
Pita Chips
Blue Corn Chips
Whole-Wheat Bread or any variety of Gluten-Free Bread
All-purpose Flour
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cornstarch
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Drinking Chocolate 
Vanilla Extract
Chocolate Chips
Pure Maple Syrup
Chopped Dates
Almonds
Walnuts
Pecans
Honey
Potatoes
Garlic
Onions

Refrigerator:
Butter
Milk
Almond Milk (if needed)
Coconut Milk (if needed)
Heavy Cream
Eggs
Plain Yogurt
Mayonnaise
Parmesan Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Dijon Mustard
Carrots
Celery
Dill Pickles
Apples
Bell Pepper
Lemons
Fresh Parsley
Fresh Spinach
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Worcestershire Sauce

Freezer:
Peas
Corn
Edamame
Spinach
Bread
Bacon
Shrimp
Nuts
Bread
Pie Crusts
Phyllo Dough
Puff Pastry Sheets

If you've made it this far down on the page without fleeing in fright, congratulations!

Based on this list of very basic pantry staples, here are some meal ideas: