Keeping a pantry well stocked has more than once saved me, especially when I have run late getting myself into the kitchen to prepare a meal. I should point out that I prefer fresh veggies over canned ones, but sometimes a can has to do a sit-in. Also since I live in California, also known as Earthquake country, I have a good excuse for my can collection.
The other day I was organizing the pantry and was wondering exactly what makes a good pantry. I will share my pantry goodies and hope you will add what's in yours.
#1 must have #2 good to have #3 great add on
- Spices:
I use a lot of spices, but these are the ones I constantly grab...
- Salt
#1 coarse and fine sea salt
- Pepper:
#1 black pepper
#3 ground white pepper for Asian dishes
-Sweet Paprika, Tumeric
- Oils:
#1 extra-virgin olive for salads or sauteing
#2 peanut oil Oriental cuisine and wok-cooking
#3 sesame, walnut, truffle for those extra touches
- Vinegar:
#1 balsamic vinegar is great for salads and sandwiches
#2 apple cider
#3 rice, red wine, sherry
- Sauces/Condiments
#1 ketchup, mayo, mustard (hot and regular, Dijon),
#2 Worcestershire sauce, Soy Sauce
#2 anchovy fillets in olive oil
#2 Capers
#2 Olives
#3 Fish sauce for Asian cooking
- Canned Staples:
#1 Whole plum tomatoes
#1 Tomato Paste
#1 Beans (Red, Pinto and Garbanzo get used a lot in my home)
#1 Green Beans
#1 Lima Beans
#1 Carrots and Peas
#1 Spinach
#1 Corn
#2 Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon)
#2 Mushroom Sauce
#3 Coconut Sauce (light)
#3 Fancy chips (Shoe String, Veggie)
- Chicken broth (3 boxes)
- Pasta in various shapes
#1 Spaghetti, Penne, Linguini, Lasagna (my favorite is Barilla)
#2 rice vermicelli
- Grains:
#1 rice I prefer long grain Basmati
#2 brown rice
#3 Cous Cous
-Flour
#1 Unbleached all-purpose, cake, and whole wheat flours
#1 Baking powder
- Sugars:
#1 regular
#1 brown
#3 Stevia sugar substitute
- Coffee
#1 Regular
#2 Espresso we drink Lavazzo
- Teas
I prefer to buy loose leave over tea bags
#1 Earl Grey
#1 Green Tea
#2 Herbal Teas
I am probably missing things on my list and will be adding to it as time goes by. I would love to hear what you find the most valuable item in your pantries "must haves"!
