staple ingredients-

ok, so im trying to be more diligent and cook meals with coordinating side dishes and it never fails- i go to the cookbook find something and BAM i dont have 3 of the items

as soon as i get around to it (probably never) id like to make a list of these magical missing from my pantry items, but until then i think i need some help

besides planning ahead, which is for organized smart people, i thought maybe a list of staples that every human should have might be helpful-

can you list some items that you cant be without?

some of mine are:
ravioli/tortellini
chicken cutlets in freezer
chopped meat in freezer
eggs obviously

Re: staple ingredients-

Chicken broth
Canned crushed tomatoes
Garlic
Onions
oils, vinegars
flour
bread crumbs
salt
bacon
rice
pasta (besides the frozen pasta)

Message edited 10/28/2014 12:47:37 PM.

staple ingredients-

I spend a decent amount of time browsing and saving recipes on pinterest. Even one I like from cookbooks I tend to google and pin just so I can keep them all in one place. I will tell you I don't usually save recipes if they have a lot of things I don't keep on hand. I don't mind adding one or two things to my list for a recipe but if there are too many things then I don't bother. I also don't have an issue leaving something out of a recipe if I don't think it's crucial. It makes menu planning easier for me and shopping cheaper.

My pantry always has
Chicken and beef stock
rice
pasta
variety of canned tomatoe (puree, paste, chopped, sauce)
beans (white, red, black)
probably a dozen or two spices

Fridge has
eggs
1/2 and 1/2
cheese (chedda, mozzarella, feta)
condiments (ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce, etc)

Freezer
corn, peas, green beans, brown rice, chicken breasts

Produce I always have would be onions, garlic, carrots, tomatoes. Everything else I buy as I'm planning to use so things don't go bad.

I do menu plan so that definitely helps. I refuse to make extra trips to the store for one or two things so I prefer to plan ahead.

Re: staple ingredients-

I like to have lots of vinegars, spices and herbs handy. Some that are used regularly:

Garlic
Olive oil
Lemons
Limes
Cilantro
Basil
Parsley
Onion
Red chili flake

Red wine vinegar
White wine vinegar
Apple cide vinegar
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Hot sauce

Frozen peas, beans, spinach, broccoli
Cheese
Tortillas

Canned beans
Canned diced tomatoes
Tomatoe puree
Tomato paste (in a tune in fridge)
Better than bouillon jars (beef, veggie, chicken)

Variety of Rice
Variety of Pasta
Quinoa
Bulghar wheat
Barley

Message edited 10/28/2014 1:12:57 PM.

Re: staple ingredients-

Things like sesame oil and other fancy oils I never have. That's a good one

Re: staple ingredients-

chicken in the freezer
eggs
milk
chicken broth
pasta
lemon juice
tomato paste
garlic
olive oil
vegetable oil
sesame oil
white onions
red onions
crushed tomatoes
flour
dried herbs and spices (basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, etc.)
vinegars (red wine, balsamic, white, cider)
condiments (soy sauce, hot sauce, worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, etc.)
frozen veggies
chocolate chips

It is hard to keep a good, stocked pantry. But if you make a lot of the same dishes over and over again or similar meals/variations on a theme, you end up getting really familiar with the type of ingredients you need and using stock up on those key items.

Re: staple ingredients-

With the things listed below I can always whip up a number of things on the fly. Pasta meals, all kinds of chicken meals, soups, lots of different baked goods and breakfasts like quiche, pancakes, waffles, etc.

Garlic
Onions
Lemons
Celery
Carrots
Fresh Herbs (Basil, Parsley, etc) *I freeze them in Ziplocs**
Dried Spices (both savory and sweet) I have too many to count!! lol
Chicken Stock
Dried Pasta (all kinds)
Crushed Tomatoes
Breadcrumbs
Rice
Half and Half
Milk
Cheddar Cheese blocks
Mozzarella (I buy 1 lb packages on sale and freeze them so I have them on hand as needed)
Grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts (I vacuum pack and freeze)
Ground Beef
Frozen veggies
Bacon
Eggs
Ready Made Pie Crusts (for quick quiches primarily)
Flour (AP and whole wheat)
Wondra (for thickening gravies/sauces)
Sugar (Brown and white)
Yeast (Rapid and regular)
Baking powder/soda
Cocoa Powder
Chocolate Chips (mini and regular)
Corn Starch
Oatmeal (for baking recipes)
Assorted vinegar
EVOO and veggie oil
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

As these things run low I replenish them so they are always on hand. I use these ingredients a lot during the week.

ETA - spelling

Message edited 10/28/2014 3:07:46 PM.

Re: staple ingredients-

4c Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Canned crushed tomatoes/diced tomatoes
Broth (chicken, beef, vegetable)
Brown sugar
Honey
Rice
Dried beans
Goya split peas
Grated parmesan cheese
Flour
Bisquick
Adobe seasoning
Barilla pasta (pene, spaghetti, rigatoni)
Lipton noodle soup
Boxed Mac and cheese
Cereal

Re: staple ingredients-

Also Bertolli EVOO, vinegar, balsamic vinegar and regular frying oil caonnola or Wesson. Onions and potatoes.

Message edited 10/28/2014 3:20:37 PM.