Pantry Essentials for the Home Cook

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I love having my pantry stocked with basic ingredients, so I may cook up a meal on weeknights and not stop for fast food. When I do grocery shop, I try and buy two of everything, and repeat my meals making life easier to feed a family. All you need to do is master seven meals and put them to use every week. Once, you have made them many times, then you can change up the recipe to your liking. Yes, I do get bored many times eating the same dish, but it’s so much better than eating out! You actually know what goes into your meal, such as the amount of salt, oils, fats and chemicals. Home cooking is best, no matter how you look at it. Take the time to feed yourself a clean and healthy meal when you can.

Here’s a modern list of pantry items to store on your shelves. Also, think about the cuisines you love to prepare and adjust your sauces, condiments and spices!

Beans, Black Pepper, Bread, Bread Crumbs, Butter, Dijon Mustard, Grains, Tuna, Sardines, Fish Sauce, Flours, Garlic, Ginger, Maple Syrup, Grass-Fed Meat, Miso, Mushrooms, Nuts, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese, Organic Free Ranged Chicken, Organic Rice, Orzo, Salt, Sesame Oil, Shallots, Pasta, Peppercorns, Smoked Paprika, Soy Sauce, Spices, Sriracha Sauce, Tahini, Organic Sugar, Vegetable Broth, Vinegars. Of course you need to place many of these in the refrigerator including your choice of vegetables, fruits, organic eggs, milks, cheeses and the basics. A completed dish is only as good as its raw ingredients!

Humble Homemade Soup can be easily changed by adding ginger and green onion fan an Asian version, lime and chili for a Mexican creation, paprika and parley for eastern European taste, thyme and bay leaves for a Mediterranean flavor.

What To Make on a Weekly Basis?

I buy the same ingredients weekly, over and over and just change up the meats, and vegetables!

Soups are always a good choice, and make enough to take to lunch the next day.
Stir-Fry is easy as long as you have the pantry basics, flap meat, skirt steak, chicken, shrimp and vegetables. Plan ahead and have these in your freezer. Add your sauces above with your onions, garlic, and vegetables.
Roasted Vegetables with a pasta, rice, or eggs. Make more for the following days.
Basic Tomato Sauce with a pasta and vegetables.
An omelet with your choice of vegetables.
A burrito with beans and your choice of chicken, meat and cheese.
Sandwiches cannot be forgotten, a tuna melt, grilled cheese, grilled pita sandwich, quesadilla.

You can find many of these recipes on my blog! Your ideas are endless, and your pantry will grow over time, as you experiment with new foods and recipes!