Pantry Staples

There is nothing you can't cook as long as you have the following on hand when you ask yourself the question, "What should I cook?" Not to mention that many recipes call for these ingredients.

Oils

1. Olive
2. Vegetable or Canola
3. Sesame

Vinegars

1. Balsamic
2. Red Wine
3. White
4. Apple Cider
5. Rice Wine

Citrus Juices

1. Lemon and/or Lime
2. Orange and/or Grapefruit
3. Tomato
4. Pomegranate

Sauces

1. Soy
2. Worcestershire
3. Tomato
4. Duck
5. Hoisin
6. Chili
7. BBQ
8. Steak

Grains

1. Rice (white, brown or basmati)
2. Couscous (instant or Israeli)
3. Pasta (a variety)
4. Quinoa
5. Bulger Wheat and/or Taboli
6. Polenta
7. Barley
8. Lentils

Others

1. Honey
2. Ketchup
3. Dijon Mustard
4. Mayonnaise and/or Miracle Whip
5. Stock and/or Soup-In-A-Box
6. Pickle Relish
7. Jam or Jelly
8. Sesame Paste and/or Peanut Butter
9. Salsa
10. Dried Soup Mix or Powder (onion, etc.)
11. Fresh Chopped Garlic
12. Tomatoes, Sun Dried and Canned (or Boxed)
13. Horseradish 
14. Tunafish
15. Beans (red kidney, black, cannelloni, chick peas)
16. Crackers (Saltines, Ritz, Carrs)
17. Coffee & Tea
18. Cocoa Powder
19. White Sugar
20. Brown Sugar
21. Sugar Substitute (Sweet & Low, Splenda, etc.)
22. Agave
23. Hearts of Palm
24. Artichoke Hearts
25. Canned Mandarin Orange Slices
26. Preserved Lemons
27. A Jar of Roasted Red Peppers
28. A Jar of Marinated Mushrooms
29. Olives
30. Pickles and/or Cornichons
31. Water Chestnuts
32. Bamboo Shoots
33. Baby Corn
34. Flour
35. Cornstarch

My kitchens feels empty without any of the above. You never know what culinary challenge you will face and like the proverbial boy or girl scout, you always want to be prepared.

You can walk into my kitchen right now and all of these items will be there.