Please don’t rush out and get everything on this list. It’s a guide to what I consider important for my style of cooking but it won’t be for everyone.
Instead, have a read through and think about whether each item is something that you either already use or would like to start using.
As a rule of thumb you’ll probably aim to have 1-2 items from each section as essentials. I’ve marked my essentials with a star*.
oils
§ *good quality extra virgin olive oil – for salads and drizzling*
§ cheaper extra virgin olive oil – for cooking (I buy in bulk)
§ peanut oil or macadamia oil – for frying and where you need a neutral flavoured oil.
vinegar
§ *sherry vinegar – my favourite. Red wine vinegar would also be OK.*
§ balsamic – because sometimes you want a little more sweetness.
§ lemons – not technically vinegar, but they do the same thing.
canned things
§ *tomatoes – preferably whole peeled*
§ *chickpeas – my all time favourite pantry ingredient*
§ beans – butter beans, cannellini, red kidney
§ lentils
§ fish – *tuna in oil (with chilli)*, sardines, salmon
§ chicken – I preferred smoked chicken
§ coconut milk – for asian cooks and vegan / dairy free fans
jars
§ curry paste – red or green Thai or Indian
§ tomato pasta sauce (marinara sauce)
§ *tahini – ground sesame seeds*
§ vegetables – roast red peppers, grilled eggplant (aubergines), tomato paste
§ pesto
§ vegemite – not for everyone 😉
§ peanut butter – for people who don’t like vegemite
§ honey &/or maple syrup
sauces & condiments
§ mustard – I always have both dijon & wholegrain
§ *soy sauce – wonderfully versatile*
§ *mayonnaise – I’ve gotten into making my own, but that’s not for everyone*
§ ketchup – that’s tomato sauce for the Aussies out there
§ *oyster sauce* and/or fish sauce – for asian cooks
seasonings
§ *salt – sea salt flakes like Maldon*, cheaper fine sea salt or kosher salt for salting water.
§ *black peppercorns* – best quality you can afford
spices
§ *dried chilli flakes* or chilli powder
§ curry powder
§ *ground cumin*
§ ground coriander
§ garam marsala
§ *smoked paprika*
baking – [not for everyone]
§ flour – plain flour, bread flour, rice flour (or gluten free flour)
§ sugar – white sugar, brown sugar
§ other – cocoa powder, baking powder, dried yeast
§ *chocolate – 70% cocoa solids*
dry goods
§ *lentils – red, *puy or french-style green lentils*
§ dried beans
§ pasta / noodles / couscous / basmati rice
§ quinoa
nuts
[not necessarily all at once]
§ *almonds*
§ pinenuts
§ hazelnuts
§ walnuts
§ brazil nuts
§ cashews
§ pistachios
fridge
§ cheese – *parmesan*, ricotta, blue, goats
§ other dairy – *butter*, milk, yoghurt, *cream*
§ tofu
§ miso paste
freezer
§ vegetables – *frozen peas*, broad beans, spinach
§ fruit – *berries* for last minute berry sorbet
§ other – puff pastry, bread
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