How to Stock Your Pantry

It’s easy to reach for a take-out menu when you feel like there is nothing to eat in the house, or that cooking would be too much of a chore. But when you keep some staple foods on hand, you can whip up an easy dinner as quickly as the delivery person could get to your door. Cooking fresh, wholesome foods at home is better for your health, your budget, and, ultimately, the environment. Here is a guide to what I keep in my kitchen. These basic ingredients can be combined in a number of ways for easy meals, or supplemented with a few more unusual ingredients to yield fancier cuisine.

Cupboard
Brown rice
Quinoa
Rolled oats
Whole-wheat couscous
Whole-wheat pasta
Cornmeal
Whole-wheat flour
Unbleached all-purpose flour
Dry beans (kidney, black, assorted mix, chickpeas… anything, really)
Dry lentils
Extra-virgin olive oil
Canola oil
(Dark sesame oil- nice to have)
Vegetable broth and mushroom broth (I look for organic, low-sodium versions)
Vinegar (cider, white, balsamic)
Pasta sauce
Canned tomatoes (crushed and diced)
Canned pineapple chunks in pineapple juice (no sugar added)
Nuts and seeds
Raisins or other dried fruit
Honey
Sugar (white and brown)
Baking powder
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Salt
Pure vanilla extract
Homemade bread
Loose-leaf tea

Fridge
Minced garlic (comes in a jar)
Soy sauce (low-sodium)
Chili paste
Chili garlic sauce
Curry paste
Tortillas (corn or whole-wheat)
Natural peanut butter (refrigerate after opening)
Low-fat shredded cheese (Italian blend and cheddar)
Bread yeast

Freezer
Broccoli
Carrots
Spinach
Corn
Prepared beans (In 1 2/3 cup portions, which equals 1 can… Thanks for the tip, Meredith!)
Homemade bread
Ground flax seed
Wheat germ
Mixed fruit
Berries
Nuts (if keeping for a long time)
Serving-size portions of leftover soups, stews, casseroles

Herbs and spices
Most used:
Basil (dried and I have a plant growing)
Bay leaf
Chili flakes
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Cloves
Cumin
Curry powder
Garlic powder
Ginger, ground
Nutmeg
Onion powder
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Pepper
Rosemary
Thyme

Also nice to have:
Cardamom
Chilies, dried
Cocoa powder
Coriander
Dill
Fennel
Garam masala
Herbes de Provence
Mint, crushed
Mustard seed
Sage, ground
Sesame seeds
Turmeric

Things I buy frequently
Onions
Yams or potatoes
Mushrooms
Greens
Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit
Hummus (natural)
Tofu, extra-firm
Milk (nonfat, no rBGH)
Yogurt (nonfat, organic- I like Stonyfield)
Cottage cheese (nonfat)


What ingredients are essential in your kitchen, or what is one of your favorite easy weekday meals?