Tip of the Week: A Well-Stocked Pantry

 

On the Internet one can find numerous lists of what this or that person feels is essential for a well-stocked pantry.  Obviously there are certain differences in each family's determination of which food items are a must to have on hand at all times.  The important thing is that we consider what we would hate to be without among those foods that are shelf stable as well as those items that, although they require refrigeration or freezing, do not have to be replenished very often.  Maintaining this kind of supply can greatly reduce trips to the grocery store to pick up this or that item needed for a recipe, because you already have a good stock of frequently used items on hand.

With that in mind, I have borrowed from several on-line suggested lists to create my own version, and your individual list will certainly vary somewhat from this.  Keep in mind that this list includes shelf and fridge stable essentials and by no means comprises a family's full diet while we are yet living in a time of plenty where fresh vegetables, fruits, and dairy are readily available.  However when you do run to the store for lettuce or a gallon of milk, the trip will be less expensive and less time consuming if the main essentials for almost any meal are already at home in your well-stocked pantry!

Baking   flour    white sugar powdered sugar brown sugar cornstarch baking powder baking soda yeast   chocolate chips cocoa powder corn syrup Dried Goods dried beans (various types) raisins      popcorn    Rice Long Grain white rice Jasmine rice Basmati rice  Tomatoes    canned tomatoes tomato paste tomato sauce chili sauce Vinegars apple cider vinegar   white vinegar balsamic vinegar red wine vinegar    Dried Pasta angel hair fettuccine lasagna linguine penne spaghetti  Dried Herbs basil leaves bay leaves cayenne pepper chili powder cumin    curry powder dill weed   dried mustard oregano paprika red pepper flakes rosemary  garlic salt & powder poppy seeds sage salt (plain, iodized, sea salt, kosher)  sesame seeds Black pepper  thyme   Spices cinnamon (ground & whole sticks) cloves (ground & whole)   ground ginger  ground nutmeg   Condiments chicken broth beef broth   honey horseradish  ketchup   mayonnaise molasses   mustard    peanut butter  salsa   soy sauce   Worcestershire sauce Tabasco sauce pancake syrup BBQ Sauce Oils extra-virgin olive oil vegetable oil  shortening    Milks evaporated milk powdered buttermilk powdered milk sweetened condensed milk  Canned Goods various beans canned fruits canned vegetables clams Enchilada sauce Canned chilies creamed soups   mushrooms olives (green and black)   canned chicken albacore tuna Fruit Pie fillings Extracts almond extract pure vanilla extract lemon extract  Packaged Seasoning Mixes Taco chili Gravy mixes Hollandaise Au jus   Produce   lemons and limes   garlic bulbs onions    potatoes apples carrots Refrigerator and Freezer Staples butter frozen jams   eggs Parmesan cheese    sour cream various cheeses various nuts     See you next week!