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Pantry Staples

Pantry Staples

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When I think of a well-stocked pantry I think minimalist.  An overstuffed pantry, the kind where everything or almost everything flies out when you open the door, makes me crazy.  My pantry staples are basics that I use almost daily.  Items that can be used to whip up a simple and healthy meal in no time.  I like to be able to go a day or two after returning home from traveling, knowing that my pantry staples are going to feed me well.

Food Staples

The best way to keep a pantry well-stocked with the items you use all the time is to replenish before they are gone.  I keep a small pad of paper in the kitchen and as soon as I am almost finished with an item I note it down.

My pantry is broken down into three categories: 1) Savory, 2) Baking, and 3) The Refrigerator/Freezer.

I buy some of our pantry items in bulk (marked with *) and only buy 1 – 2 pounds at a time. Bulk is a great way to save money and to only buy what you immediately need.  I store the items in glass Weck Jars except for baking items which are stored in OXO Pop-Up Top Containers.  I LOVE both products as they keep everything fresh.

If you have any questions – please do not hesitate to reach out.

** this has been updated in September 2017, and then again in January 2018. In September, I  completely revamped the way I cook and approach food.  Fast forward to January 2018, I cut our refined sugars, processed carbs, and extra sodium so any lurking items got tossed.  I am making more of an effort to support our local farmers for produce and buy sustainable and grass-fed meats from ranchers.

Savory – these are items that can make an emergency meal in no time.

  • Lentils  – lots of them in different colors.  We like lentils, and they cook up quickly and can be enjoyed during breakfast, lunch or dinner.
  • Dried Beans  – I always have a couple different types on hand that I cook, and then use in recipes or freeze for another time.
  • Pasta – smaller pasta for soups on hand.  Otherwise, we use fresh for mains.
  • Popcorn  – great snack and healthier than a cookie.
  • Walnuts and Pumpkin Seeds  – Lenny loves to snack on them during the day, and they are heart healthy.
  • Olive Oil – I only use three different ones now.  An everyday cooking olive oil and a higher quality one for salad dressings and a finishing one (right now it is a smoky Spanish olive oil) for drizzling over sautéed veggies, pizza, risotto or even eggs.
  • Coconut Oil – great for sautéing veggies and sometimes baking
  • Vinegar – We use rice, apple cider and a very good balsamic.
  • Preserves – usually two, and no more than three types and they typically are always;  raspberry (Lenny loves), wild blueberry or apricot (I love) and a fig or marmalade as both go great with a cheese plate.
  • Tuna – a couple jars for last minute salads or tuna melt at lunch.
  • Canned Beans – even though I prefer not to use canned beans, I keep a couple different ones on hand for last minute meals.  I rinse very well before cooking and try to find low sodium ones.
  • Hot Sauce – we love spicy and have a lot of different types in the pantry, to spice up life.
  • Coconut Milk – great in curries, soups, and baking.
  • Rice Papers – for rolling spring rolls.
  • Coffee – always have enough coffee on hand.
  • Tea – right now we are enjoying Big Heart Teas.
  • Yellow Onions – can never have enough.
  • Garlic – fresh is better than jarred.
  • Shallots – use in salad dressing.
  • Red Onions – for salads, tacos, and tuna recipes.
  • Potatoes – we have fingerlings on hand for lazy breakfasts or to toss with a roasted chicken.
  • Spices * – I tend to reach for fresh herbs when cooking but I do like this brand  Delphanie and Chole for dried herbs with a Greek flare.  I buy small amounts of interesting seasonings at the Oaktown Spice Shop and right now we are loving different Middle Eastern flavors so our pantry is well stocked with za’atar, chilies, …..
  • Salt – I cook and season boiling water with French Grey Salt, I learned this from my friend Kate and have never looked back.  We keep fine kosher on hand for baking, use Maldon Salt for finishing a recipe.
  • We always have fresh fruit on hand, the type is dependent on the seasons.  That being said, I always have bananas as they are great as a snack or mixed with oatmeal.

Baking – there is always enough on hand to make pasta, bake a loaf of bread or whip up cookies without running to the store.  Everything is organic and I buy the one with the lowest sugar and sodium content.

  • Bread Flour – we are getting into baking bread this year and we are exploring different kinds.
  • All-Purpose Flour – great for baking and thickening sauces.
  • Cornmeal * – enough to make cornbread or dust pizza sheets.
  • 00 Flour – I use making pasta as well as pizza dough.
  • Dark Rye Flour – bread baking and ramen noodle making.
  • Rolled Oats * – to use in baking, makes a great crust for a tart.
  • Steel Cut Oats * – we eat for breakfast once or twice a week.
  • Sugar * – unrefined or coconut palm is our sugars of choice.
  • Baking Chocolate – usually bittersweet and semi-sweet for baking or making fudge sauces for quick desserts
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Powdered Coca – for hot chocolates, baking and chocolate sauces.
  • Yeast – baking on a whim.
  • Knox Gelatin – for those panna cotta cravings.
  • Cornstarch – thickening as well as making ramen noodles.
  • Honey – there are three types in our pantry right now.  Everyday honey, Mike’s Hot Honey (told you we liked spice) and a rich chestnut honey to serve with cheese.
  • Tapioca – puddings

Refrigerator/Freezer – We are freaks about fresh food, so we keep a very minimal fridge/freezer with only items that will frequently be used.  We hate spoilage or waste, so we only buy enough food that will last a week, maybe two.  Condiments, cheese, and animal fats have a longer shelve life;  beware of expiration dates.

Refrigerator:

  • Two Bottles of Water – for the Soda Streamer
  • Whole Milk – only when there will be baking involved.  We don’t drink milk or use in our coffee.
  • Whole Milk Greek Yogurt – eating and sauces.
  • Eggs – we use a lot of eggs as a quick protein for breakfast, baking, and frittatas
  • Animal Fat – Duck for potatoes
  • Butter – grass-fed and unsalted
  • Ghee
  • Cheese – hard parmesan
  • Parsley – besides a great garnish it is really healthy for you, especially your joints.  I use it in salads, potato hash, tuna salad, as well as eggs.  I try to put something green into every meal and this comes in handy.
  • Cilantro – again thinking about green as I love to use this herb in salads, sauces, on tacos as well as egg dishes or even roasted chicken.
  • Veggies – we stock up at the farmer’s market every week.  Always have lots of kale, mushrooms and salad greens.  Then a few of whatever is in season.
  • Condiments – mayo, three mustards (grainy Dijon, smooth Dijon and yellow), soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, capers and truffled honey (great with a cheese plate).
  • Harissa
  • Gochujang Korean Paste
  • Cocktail Mixings – Luxardo cherries, ginger beer, tonic, and club soda.  As well, as a few different simple syrups and/or shrubs or other mixers.
  • Lemons and Limes – lots of both as I use for cooking, baking and in cocktails.

Freezer:

  • Bacon – keep a pound on hand at all times as it is not only great for breakfast but also to use in sauces, meatloaf, potato hash, etc..
  • Pancetta – for the same reasons as bacon.
  • Unsalted Butter – for baking and cooking I keep a pound on hand at all times.
  • Meat – I only keep a very small amount of some sort of meat for quick, coming home meals.
  • Homemade Stock – usually only one kind at a time, either beef, chicken or pork.  Can be used for soups, stews, braising and risottos.
  • Bone Broth – usually one or two different types.
  • Blueberries and Cranberries – I freeze fresh ones to use for baking and oatmeal.

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anna*

Friday 29th of April 2016

I quite literally just placed a massive grocery order last night to stock my new place, but am happy that this mostly coincides with what I stocked up on! Love it!

Taste of France

Friday 29th of April 2016

Great tips. We use our freezer a lot. We have a large one, plus a chest freezer, and use it for buying meat on sale. Or I make up meals ahead and freeze them. We also keep some bags of frozen fruit--it's a way to eat berries midwinter, and they're picked when they're in season--so much better than buying stuff picked too early for shipping across the globe. We get tiny cans of tomato paste, about 1.5 tablespoons, which are just right for the recipes you noted. Also, I freeze my flour after having had a bug outbreak. Turns out, the bugs are in the flour when you buy it, so you bring them into your home. Freezing kills them.