Pantry Essentials

The more time I spend in my kitchen I realize that there are certain items that I need to have in stock at all times. When my pantry is stocked with the essentials, I only need to run to the grocery store for fresh or special ingredients. I've put together a list of items that I keep stocked in my Pantry as well as in my freezer. I've included some basic Spices in the Pantry List, but at the bottom is my entire spice list that I keep on hand.

Pantry Essentials:
Dried Goods: 
- Pasta - All shapes and sizes!
- Brown and White Rice

Condiments:

- Ketchup
- Mustard (Plain, Dijon, Whole Grain)

Canned & Jarred Products: 
- Store bought Pasta Sauce - Multiple "Flavors"
- Whole Tomatoes
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tomato Sauce
- Tomato Paste - Canned and Tubes
- Beans - Black, Red, White
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Pear Halves
- Black Pitted Olives
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Chicken Stock (I make my own so it's in the freezer)
- Vegetable Stock
- Canned Tuna (For Michael...lol)

Oils and Vinegars:

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Canola or Vegetable Oil
- Garlic Flavored Oil (this isn't a must, but its handy)
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- White Distilled Vinegar

Baking Supplies:

- All Purpose Flour
- Granulated White Sugar
- Brown Sugar (Dark or Light)
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Vanilla Extract
- Corn Starch
- Chickpea Flour

Spices:

- Kosher Salt (I prefer Kosher to Table Salt)
- Whole Black Peppercorns (You'll need a pepper mill)
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Miscellaneous:

- Bread Crumbs (Seasoned & Panko)

Produce:

- Yellow Onions
- Garlic (Several Heads)
- Potatoes (Normally Yukon Gold)
- Lemons & Limes

Freezer Essentials:

Vegetables:

- Sweet Corn Kernels
- Peas
- Edamame (Shelled)

Meat:

- Beef - Steak, Ground Beef, Roasts
- Chicken - Whole Chickens, Bone-in Skin on Thighs, Boneless-Skinless Breasts
- Frozen Pizza and Burritos (Come on...we don't ALWAYS feel like cooking!)

My Spice Drawer: (Remember, these are spices I use, customize your spice drawer!)

- Allspice (Whole & Ground)
- Basil (Dried)
- Bay Leaves (Dried)
- Black Peppercorns (Whole)
- Cardamom Pods
- Cayenne Pepper
- Celery Salt
- Celery Seed
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon (Ground & Sticks)
- Cloves (Whole & Ground)
- Corriander (Whole & Ground)
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Cumin (Whole & Ground)
- Dillweed
- Essence Seasoning (See Recipe on Favorite Recipes Page)
- Fennel Seeds
- Garam Masala
- Garlic Powder
- Garlic Salt
- Ginger (Ground)
- Italian Seasoning
- Marjoram (Dried)
- Mustard (Seeds & Ground)
- Nutmeg (Whole & Ground)
- Onion Powder
- Onion Salt
- Oregano (Dried)
- Paprika (Smoked)
- Poppy Seeds
- Seasoning Salt
- Star Anise (Whole)
- Tarragon (Dried)
- Thyme (Dried)
- Ground White Pepper