Stocking Your Pantry: 4 Types of Essential Ingredients

Are you wondering what the essential ingredients for stocking your pantry are? Whether you just got your first kitchen or are starting all over with a new one, there are some important essentials that every pantry should have. Keep your kitchen well-stocked with these suggestions, and you will never be missing that important recipe ingredient ever again.

1. Spices

There are certain spices that you should always keep on hand. Getting a basic spice rack kit will usually supply you with the essentials. Dried spices and herbs will keep for a long time and can be added to many different dishes. Some of the essentials are basil, cayenne pepper, chives, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

2. Ingredients for Baking

There are a few a common ingredients that make up the base for a large majority of baked goods. You should always keep these handy for when a midnight craving of cookies kicks in. Devote a section of your pantry to baking ingredients like flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, shortening, brown sugar and food coloring.

3. Oil and Vinegar

Different oils and vinegars will come in handy for many different dishes. Always keep a high quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil on hand. This can be used as a healthy way to sauté vegetables and meats and can be added to salad as well. You may also want to keep vegetable oil around for baking and other purposes. An aerosol can of some type of cooking oil like vegetable oil or canola oil can be used to coat casserole dishes and pans. Keep some bottles of vinegar as well, to add instant flavor to your dishes. White vinegar can be used for cooking as well as cleaning. Balsamic vinegar can add kick to roasted vegetables as well as salads. A bottle of apple cider vinegar is another good option.

4. Canned Foods

It is a good idea to keep a good stock of canned foods in your pantry. Canned foods can keep for a long time and are inexpensive. They can also help you pull together a quick and simple meal. Keep a collection of your favorite canned vegetables and fruits for when you need them. Canned soup, such as cream of chicken and cream of mushroom are common ingredients in many dishes like casseroles. Other canned soups and tuna can make a quick and healthy meal.

Miscellaneous

There are some other important products that you should try to keep in your pantry regularly. These foods stay fresh for a long time and will keep you from having to run to the grocery store at a moment’s notice. It is a good idea to keep a couple of quick cake and bread mixes on hand. Peanut butter can last a long time in your pantry and is a staple to many kids’ diets. Keep a jar of bouillon cubes on the shelf as well. They can provide instant flavor and a base to many recipes like soups.