Cooking Question

What are some staples you always keep in your kitchen (spices, frozen food, etc.)

I am really trying to stock my kitchen so I keep a list of things that I think we should get and everytime we go shopping I pick one new thing up so please share your staples!

ohh good post anne!! i can't cook, trying to learn but once i move into the apt and have to go shopping this will definitely help

i cannot wait

---

Posted by cbcf

ohh good post anne!! i can't cook, trying to learn but once i move into the apt and have to go shopping this will definitely help

i cannot wait

---

I can't cook either and am finding I really don't like to either. But I am trying to learn how to so maybe then I will like it. I also think part of my problem is coming up with something to make and then having to go to the store because we only have the bare things in the kitchen!

I will let you know how the next few weeks go!

Spices I always have in stock are
Sazon
Adobo
Garlic
Cilantro
Oregano
Pepper
Salt
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Thyme

I always have cans of tomato sauce, soups, beans, rice, oilive oil, flour, sugar, boxes of pasta, jalapenos, mushrooms. I dont really keep anything frozen. Maybe waffles, fries, ice cream.
I always have Goya yellow rice. Its in the Goya section and comes in a box. It cooks in 20 minutes and is really easy to make. they have other flavors too.

Ooh As far as meat, I keep steaks, cubed beef, pork chops, chopped meat. Thats usually all I keep in the freezer. Chicken and sausages I get from the meat stores because theyre so much better and cheaper.

I always keep chicken cutlets, pork chops, and sausage in my freezer. I also always make sure I have sides on hand, like the Pasta Roni boxes, or rice, or potatoes. And I keep frozen veggies, too.

I have a spice rack so whatever's on there is what I have on hand LOL! I also make sure I have sesame oil and those Sunbird stir-fry seasonings (I love to do Asian cooking).

Good topic!

If you don't have one already, get a spice rack with pre-labeled containers. Those are the basics you want to have. I have beef and chicken bullion to make quick broths. I also keep a lot of chicken stock in the pantry. For frozen goods, I keep frozen peas and spinach.

Get a good extra virgin olive oil. These can be pricey, but it's worth it.

I've started to make asian enfused type dishes and they call for sesame oil and sesame seeds, so I've added these as well.

Oh and I always keep tons of pasta in the house that can be used for so much. I have a variety of shapes.

Rice is a staple to have as well as beans. I have kidney, navy, black and white.

---

Posted by anneandchris

---

Posted by cbcf

ohh good post anne!! i can't cook, trying to learn but once i move into the apt and have to go shopping this will definitely help

i cannot wait

---

I can't cook either and am finding I really don't like to either. But I am trying to learn how to so maybe then I will like it. I also think part of my problem is coming up with something to make and then having to go to the store because we only have the bare things in the kitchen!

I will let you know how the next few weeks go!

---

yeah i hear ya on that. I don't like it either. But in another 2 weeks I am going to hgave to start doing it since DH will be home and ready to eat cooked meals haha.

I also keep brown rice, onions and chicken broth on hand and a few different frozen vegetables just in case the fresh have gone bad or I haven't made it to the store. I also buy the frozen chicken breasts at Costco. They are individually wrapped so you don't have to defrost the whole package.

DH and I also usually figure out what nights we'll be home for dinner that week. I try to prepare as much as I can over the weekend (i.e. make sauce or soups) so that I can just heat up during the week. It was very hard for me at first but now we are in a groove.

Very good question. I keep a stocked pantry and freezer.

Freezer:
frozen veggies in bags
fresh herbs that I freeze
meats, bout in bulk, divided into smaller portions
uncooked shrimp in a bag
Jones sausage patties
homemade soups
grated cheese
butter
some ready meals
bread
ice cream

Pantry :
various spices - garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, basil, paprika, cumin, red pepper, celery seed, dill, whole pepper corns, cinnamon, Badia all purpose seasoning. (I like Badia brand spices - good stuff and cheaper than McCormick)
kosher salt, sea salt
8 oz cartons of broth - beef, chicken, vegetable
bullion cubes
flour
sugar
corn starch
peanut butter
jam
coffee, tea
pasta
jar sauce
rice, white and yellow
rice pilaf mix
jarred vegetables
salad dressings
olive oil
various vinegars
flavored bread crumbs
panko bread crumbs
cereal

Because I bake, I also keep baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, chocolate bars, cake flour, brown sugar, molasses, coconut, vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, pudding mix, dried yeast, gelatin.

HTH !

ahh I was actually thinking about making a post like this a while back. I have been searching online for lists of things to have in your pantry since we just moved into our own place, I wanted to make sure I had at least the basics. Here is what I found:

Baking & Spices

baking soda
baking powder
cornstarch
yeast
flour
salt
pepper
peppercorns
sugar
confectioner’s sugar
brown sugar
light corn syrup
vanilla extract
ground cinnamon
nutmeg
ground cloves
powdered ginger
basil
oregano
chili powder
dry mustard
paprika
thyme
tarragon
dill
bay leaves
poultry seasoning
beef, chicken & vegetable bouillon cubes
cream of tartar
unseasoned bread crumbs
Bisquick or pancake mix
powdered milk
unsweetened cocoa powder
unsweetened baking chocolate
chocolate chips



General & Condiments

rice
pasta
dried onion soup mix
tomato paste
tomato sauce
canned tomatoes
peanut butter
jelly
canned tuna
raisins
chocolate syrup
cereals
chicken or beef stock
canned soups
canned beans
olives
canned pears
canned peaches
applesauce
vegetable oil
olive oil
red wine vinegar
white wine vinegar
vegetable shortening
nonstick cooking spray
mayonnaise
ketchup
mustard
salad dressings
soy sauce
hot pepper sauce
Worcestershire sauce
barbecue sauce
salsa
honey
maple syrup
white wine
red wine



Refrigerator

milk
eggs
butter
cheese
yogurt
cottage cheese
cream cheese
sour cream
meats/fish
deli meats
bacon
juices
carrots
celery
lemon
mushroom
lettuce
peppers



Freezer

orange juice concentrate
corn
green beans
spinach
peas
mixed vegetables
ground beef
chicken breasts
shrimp
dinner rolls or bread
ice cream
pie crust
nuts


hth!

Thanks girls.

Some of these are great and suprising I had more then I thought. Now I just need to start getting creative!