Pantry Staples

Ah, the pantry. To me, it is a thing of beauty. Single ingredient food items in their whole, unadulterated form. *sigh* Its heaven.

The pantry doesn't need to be fancy. It doesn't have to have it's own place, but can consist of several cabinets if you're living in an apartment, seeing as these are almost always seen as a luxury even in the pricey markets. While the picture to the left looks expensive, I can assure you that this look is not only for aesthetic reasons. Living in the southern US, I've found that pantry bugs are more of a problem than you could ever have imagined. Plastic containers are cheaper, but with the unknowns to the chemicals that actually go into the manufacturing of those containers, I as a parent would rather steer clear (remember the BPA scares in baby bottles in 2008? Yea, those still have me reeling!). Going with airtight, glass containers is green, healthy, affordable, and above all just plain pretty. Plus, glass won't absorb the smell of whats being stored, so if you decide to use the container for something else later, there's no need for overnight soaking in hot soapy or bleach water. The choice is yours, depending on your budget, location, and desires. Containers aside, here are some basics that are a must...


Must Have Spices:

• Salt & Pepper-How much you spend on these is entirely up to you. Some go the route of Salt and Pepper mills, in which you personally grind the larger chunks into smaller, fresher pieces right before use. This leads to stronger flavors. If you are just starting out though, you can get by with the $.99 2 pack that has the cheap cardboard table top containers.
• Basil-Personally, I use this in just about everything. Its a go-to spice for anything pasta. Its a main ingredient in Italian seasoning, and its uses are endless. My picky boys have eaten plain noodles with a little bit of melted butter and basil as a meal on more than one occasion.
• Oregano-Another main hitter in the Italian seasoning. Very flavorful, and compliments tomatoes nicely.
• Rosemary-This tasty treat can pack a surprise punch to potatoes. Fresh, it is a spice that grows in sprigs.
• Thyme-Great for seasoning meat and veggies

 Good to Have Spices:

• Bay Leaves- DO NOT BUY THESE CRUSHED! Bay leaves have a VERY strong flavor to them, and even high quality types will have a texture that can slice your gums. Save yourself the knockout effect and buy whole bay leaves for your stews or roasts, and just prior to serving, fish them out (You can use some kitchen twine tied to the end of the leaf to make it easier to locate.. I do this often with thyme & rosemary sprigs and a bay leaf)
• Cayenne Pepper-Adds a kick. This is what gives chili such a punch, since its made from dried ground cayenne peppers.
• Chili Powder-Used with cayenne and cumin for the full Tex Mex effect.
• Nutmeg-Another strong flavor. Used almost entirely for baking in my house.
• Cumin-Used in a lot of Tex Mex and Hispanic cooking. Gives food a bit of a punch.
• Dill-If you are going to do a lot of cooking with fish, this is a must. Almost all fish can simply be cooked with lemon, dill and olive oil or butter.

Cooking Basics:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)-Rachel Ray became very popular because of her use of EVOO, and I'm right there with her in touting my love. It's healthy, its flavorful, and you can use it for just about anything. I'd rather use EVOO than vegetable or canola oil any day.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• Balsamic Vinegar-Very flavorful, and great for making vinegarettes.
• White Vinegar-A small jar can last you about a year with normal usage. Perfect for making BBQ sauce.
• Soy Sauce-used in a lot of Asian cooking
• Worcestershire Sauce-I promise, once you get used to using this, you'll never know how you went without it. Perfect for seasoning beef and stews.

Dry Goods:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Corn Starch-If you plan on making home made gravy, this is a must.
• Baking Soda
• Dried Pastas like Spaghetti, Rotini, Penne, Elbows and Egg Noodles
• Dried Beans, Peas, and Lentils
• Brown Rice-The nutritional value of brown rice far exceeds the flavor change in my book. Unless you are doing authentic Asian cooking, brown rice is better for everyday consumption.
• Dried Breadcrumbs or French Fried Onions-They can be used interchangeably in most cases (just crush the onions), and usually the onions have a lot more flavor

Shelf Stable or Canned Goods:

• Tomatoes-Whole, Paste, Diced, and Sauce. Try to have 2 of each can on hand at all times.
• Condensed Soups-Cream of chicken, broccoli, and mushroom.
• Broths or bouillon cubes-Chicken and beef. 
• Canned meats-Tuna, salmon, sardines, and chicken. I've never used canned ham, nor do I desire to, but if its your thing, make sure to include it. Canned chicken is useful more so for chicken salads than any casseroles, but its very useful.

Perishables:

• Carrots-The next 3 ingredients are called the mirepoix, or Holy Trinity of cooking. The true french chef would include the fourth (bell peppers), but if low (especially when they cost so much each), they can be excluded.
• Celery 
• White Onions-Even if you don't like onions, have one on hand. They are used in almost every recipe I love.
• Bell Peppers-Just like above. 
• Potatoes-You don't have to have the 10lb bag, just have a few on hand for baking, mashing, or using in soups or stews.
• Garlic-Whether you go dried, pre-minced packed in juice, or whole to chop yourself is a personal choice. I like the pre-minced myself because I love to cook with it, and it really is less of a hassle.
• Lemon and/or Lime Juice-The small containers are better because when these things spoil its just nasty.
• Eggs

So, now you have the list of the basics. Don't take my list as a Bible, just more of a jumping off point. Hate onions? Then don't use them. Love mushrooms, then throw them in there. I know it may seem like it'll cost you a lot of money, but these basics can make almost your entire meal. With this list, you can make everything from Omelets to Baked Potatoes to Stew (with the addition of stew meat). So until next time, happy nom noms.