Having the below ingredients on hand ensures that you can put together a variety of recipes from different global cuisines. Don’t forget the fresh items — namely the fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs!
Liquids & Pastes
- Peanut oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) cold pressed
- Light olive oil (for baking)
- Wine and balsamic vinegars
- Apple cider vinegar with the mother (Bragg)
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil (natural or toasted)
- Soy sauce
- Tomato paste
- Wine for cooking (red and white)
- Vanilla (real extract and/or beans)
- Local raw honey
Dried Herbs & Spices
It is not necessary to have all of these and this is not an exhaustive list. Dried herbs last for 1-3 years, ground spices for 2-3 years, whole spices up to 5 years – replace as needed for optimal flavor!
- Basil
- Bay leaf
- Black pepper
- Cardamom
- Cayenne
- Chiles, dried
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Crushed red pepper
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Mint
- Nutmeg
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Peppercorns and pepper mill
- Rosemary
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- White pepper
Grains, Beans and Other
Be sure to check and throw out stale items occasionally. Onions, garlic and shallots, as well as all potatoes should be stored in a dark place but separate from each other. Onions, especially sweet onions, can be stored in panty hose separated by twist ties.
- Beans, dried: Black, garbanzo, kidney, lentils, white, etc.
- Brown rice (preferred over white rice), risotto, basmati, etc.
- Cornmeal and grits, stone ground when possible
- Oatmeal (Old Fashioned or Steel Cut) and other whole grain hot cereals
- Dried fruit: Raisins, apricot, prunes, etc
- Whole grain breads, crackers and dry cereals
- Garlic, onion, shallots
- Sweet potatoes and other potatoes
- Popcorn, nuts and seeds (all those you like!
- Pasta, whole grain or high fiber, high protein preferred
- Flours and sugars for baking
- Demerara sugar for sweetening
- Anchovies, capers, and olives
- Canned sardines, canned white or albacore tuna and salmon
- Chili paste or oil
- Dark chocolate
- Molasses
- Walnut and other nut oils
- Sea salt for finishing dishes
