- Balsamic Vinegar {actually you should also have an assortment of other vinegars too so you can make your own salad dressings}
- Parmesan Cheese
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Various Rices {long grain brown, arborio, wild or black}
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt
- Pepper Corns
- Polenta and Cornmeal
- Canned tomatoes (probably one of the few things that comes from a can that is ok to use. Great to have on hand for a quick pasta sauce or tomato soup.)
- Dried Beans & Lentils
- Spices {my faves: Curry powder, cumin powder, herbs de province, chili powder, sesame seeds, ground coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, lemon pepper+ too many more to list. Do not just go buy a spice rack! Buy spices you will actually use individually and do not buy in bulk [if you have a spice rack currently, think about it.... how many are still unopened on the rack?] Their flavor is optimal only the first few months. Bulk jars= too long in your cupboard.}
- Wine {white, red, and sherry}
- Flours {whole wheat, All purpose, Bread, Cake}
- Vanilla Bean Paste
- Lemons
- Onions
- Celery
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Fresh Herbs {grow your own! so easy and way less expensive}
- Dijon Mustard
- Potatoes
- Olives {not canned black ones}
- Chicken Stock {if you're not up to making this and just want chicken flavor in things you can use a good quality base. Make sure salt is NOT listed as the first ingredient}
- Eggs
- Nuts
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Pantry Necessities
Cooking well at home {well does not equal ANYTHING that is still around from the 1950's that is bound with Campbell's soup} is not hard. If you have some simple staples in your house at all times its easy to whip up something good without having to make a trip to the store. Everyone's lists are different here. You have to choose things you will actually eat. These are my pantry necessities: