Listed below are some of the items/ingredients I use most often and always have in my kitchen. I’ve compiled this list for you because it makes cooking so much easier if you have some of the basics on-hand and, for the most part, these are ingredients that last. If there is an item or ingredient that I haven’t included but you see in recipes that interest you, I suggest you buy it. I bet you’ll use it and enjoy having it at-the-ready!
- PRODUCE
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Ginger (fresh)
- Frozen Crushed Ginger – Dorot Gardens at Trader Joe’s
- Lemons/Limes
- Eggs (Large, free range, organic when possible)
- Milk
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Butter (Salted & Unsalted) can be kept in freezer too
- Onions (Sweet white and Red)
- Scallions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Parmesan Cheese (either freshly grated or a block)
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Goat Cheese
- SEASONING & SPICES
- Kosher Salt
- Peppercorn w Grinder and Pre-ground Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Garlic Salt
- Turmeric
- Paprika
- Sesame Seeds
- Mustard Seeds
- Mustard Powder
- Ground Coriander
- Dried Rosemary
- Chili Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Fennel Seeds and Ground Fennel
- Cumin Seeds and Ground Cumin
- Cayenne Pepper
- Bay Leaves
- Montreal Steak Seasoning –McCormick
- Montreal Chicken Seasoning – McCormick
- SAUCES & CONDIMENTS
- Hot Sauce – Frank’s Red Hot
- Worcestershire sauce – Lea & Perrin’s
- Ketchup
- Dijon Mustard – Grey Poupon
- Mayonnaise
- Fish Sauce – Viet Huong Three Crabs
- Coconut Milk and/or Coconut Cream (Cans)
- Red Curry Paste – Thai Kitchen
- Mirin – Mizkan Honteri
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Balsamic Syrup (also known as Balsamic Glaze or Blaze)
- OILS &VINEGARS
- Olive oil, extra virgin
- Canola and/or Vegetable
- Peanut Oil
- Sesame Oil
- White Wine Vinegar
- Rice Wine Vinegar-Marukan
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- GRAINS, NUTS & STARCHES
- White and Brown Rice, Jasmine and/or Basmati
- Rice Noodles (fresh and dry)
- Quinoa
- Pecans, Almonds, Pistachios, Pine Nuts
- Peanut Butter/Almond Butter
- Corn Starch
- Potato Starch
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes or Chips
- SWEETENERS
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Granulated Sugar – Domino
- Confectioners Sugar –Domino
- Dark Brown Sugar –Domino
- Light Brown Sugar – Domino
- CANS & JARS
- Anchovies
- Capers
- San Marzano Tomatoes – Cento
- Marinara Sauce – Trader Joe’s
- Tomato Paste –Cento
- Fruit Jams and Preserves
- Soup Bouillon Paste or boxed soup
- GLUTEN FREE-SPECIFIC ITEMS
- Gluten Free Flour – Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour, King Arthur’s
- Gluten Free Italian Pasta – Bio Naturae brand (I’m always trying new brands though!)
- Rice Noodles, all different brands, both dry and fresh (Almost always gluten free, be sure to check package ingredients)
- Gluten Free Soy Sauce –San J (organic)
- Mini Brazilian Rolls – Brazi Bites variety of flavors in the freezer section
- Gluten Free Frozen Pizza – Sabatasso’s plain, sold 3 pizzas in a box at Costco
- Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets in the freezer section- Trader Joe’s
- Gluten Free Bread – Udi’s
- Gluten Free Bread Crumbs – Ian’s and WatUSee
- Gluten Free Crackers – Trader Joe’s Crispbread, Mary’s Gone Crackers
- FOOD STORAGE ITEMS
- Tin Foil – regular and heavy duty
- Plastic Wrap
- Parchment Paper
- Ziploc Bags – assorted sizes