The Basic Pantry List

Menu planning runs much smoother when you have a well stocked pantry. In order for a pantry item to be on my list, it must be something that when it runs out or almost runs out, it goes directly on the grocery list located smack dab on the refrigerator. Here is an "almost" comprehensive list of my pantry items. If you are just getting started organizing your kitchen, don't be overwhelmed. Go from your recipes to pick out the pantry staples that are most urgent to purchase. They don't run out at once (although, some weeks it feels like it!), so these are not items you will be buying every week. But they will be purchased on a regular basis.

For Basic Cooking:

• Olive Oil
• Canola Oil
• Vinegar (white, cider, & red)
• Pasta (variety of shapes & sizes)
• Bread crumbs
• Onions
• Garlic
• Potatoes
  
• Dried beans (great northern, pinto, black, etc)
• Rice (brown, white, risotto & wild rice)
• Stuffing Mix
• Chicken Bouillon (or I use the refrigerated chicken base from Sam's Club)
• Diced Tomatoes
• Canned Tomato Sauce & Paste
• Pasta Sauce
• Worcestershire Sauce (kept in refrigerator)
• Soy Sauce (kept in refrigerator)
• Ketchup (kept in refrigerator)
• Mustard (one or all your favorite kinds)
• Oatmeal
• Crackers of all sorts & kinds (whatever's on sale!)
• Tortilla chips
• Kosher Salt
• Black Peppercorns (these last two could go on the spice list but I use them all the time!)

For Baking:

• All Purpose Flour
• Whole Wheat Flour
• White Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Cocoa Powder
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Really, REALLY good chocolate chips (they're worth it!)
• Milled Flax & Wheat Germ are staples in our house as well but they are not completely necessary.

Seasonings:

• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Cumin
• Taco Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning
• Bay leaves
• Chili Powder
• Cayenne Pepper

Throw in your milk, eggs, and favorite meats and you can create many, many dishes.