Tuesday, March 6, 2007
kitchen essentials
What do you keep on hand in your kitchen? I'd like to know. I'm cooking more and more like I mentioned earlier and I try to keep the kitchen stocked with items I use regularly. However, I really dislike having a pantry full of stuff that I *never* use, so I try to use up what I have and only buy what I need. Does that make sense? I've felt convicted lately that since I am the household manager, I need to stick as close to our grocery budget as possible--it's a difficult task though. I've found that using cash only is the best way for me to do it, although I don't always make it to the bank to make my weekly withdrawl. So, as far as what I keep on hand it's as follows: cans of tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, a few soups, a white onion, green onions, cheese, sour cream, garlic, chips, salsa, frozen beef (I always try to have one in there in case I run out of menu options), rice, nuts, oatmeal, yogurt, apples, fresh peanut butter, tortillas, frozen veggies, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. Just curious as to what others consider staples so I might be inspired to add a few to my list. Add your comments!
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Yet another good idea from Mrs. McKay!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... this is a tough one since you have a lot on your list that I have on mine.
**great minds think alike... and apparently shop alike**
Since I am trying to lose a lot of weight, I buy a lot of vegetables and fruit. Rumor has it that the more roughage you eat the easier your food is digested.
So, let me break it down...
SPICES to always have on hand:
Cumin, Cardamom, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder and Minced Garlic in a jar.
SNACKS/Fast MEALS and EVERYTHING else:
Promax Energy Bars (get them at Trader Joe's). They taste AWESOME!
Cat Cookies, Pirates Booty, Pomegranite Juice, Charles Shaw Wine (2 buck chuck), Lean Beef, Chicken and Lamb. All the above from Trader Joe's.
Everything else you have sounds great! :)
One more thing to add...
ReplyDeleteI have recently discovered a really good cereal. Special K Vanilla Almond. I definitely recommend everyone try it! It's fantastic! I no longer eat desert... I eat this cereal for desert. It's is very yummy! :) If I think of anything else, I will let you know.
I just found your blog through Shel's. Wahoo! Love the pictures of Maggie... what a cutie.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE this question. I'd be up for trading recipes any time...
I always have some frozen boneless & skinless chicken breast in the freezer, a few baking potatoes, a few different kinds of dry and fresh/frozen pasta, and a jar of yummy tomato sauce. My hubby loves a red beans and rice mix from his bachelorhood, so that's always in stock, just in case he offers to make supper! Also, a bag of fresh greens (romaine, mixed, etc) and an avacado on hand are the basics to a yummy dinner salad. Citrus fruit will last a while in the fridge so I usually have some of that on hand. I almost always keep snacking cheese and a cracker or two (triscuits or something) so I can have a protein and a whole wheat when I need a lunch or snack.
I hope to see ya'll and meet Maggie soon. Are you guys still going to PCC? I've looked for you a few times, and wondered if you'd been coming. Hope to see you soon! :)
good post topic. my mind is going a zillion directions towards cookware, bakeware, utensils and then food, which is what you really wanted.
ReplyDeleteMy staples, and I know I'm forgetting some:
In Freezer: ice cream (married an addict), frozen chicken, frozen peas (for pot pie), pork loin, a couple packs of meat for spaghetti, tacos etc., extra loaf of bread, various boca products and butter.
In Fridge: Butter (always must have if you suddenly want to bake), eggs (same), whip cream, apples and oranges, lots of onions, veggies and garlic
Pantry: always stocked with baking supplies: both sugars, flour, salt, baking powder/soda, vanilla, choc. chips. various nuts and driend fruit, like cranberries for making muffins or putting on salads. these can go a long way (all at TJ).
cereal, a few granola bars or luna bars. I usually keep some chicken broth on hand always, a box of rice and couscous, some canned fruit, and waaay too much dried pasta! jar of spaghetti sauce.
spices: oregano, basil, chili pepper, dill, herbs de provence, nutmeg, cinnammon, ginger, ground cloves. I have more, but I think I use those most consistently and at a cooking class I went to once, they said you should change every 6 months if you can afford it.
It's hardest to start from scratch and build your pantry. Coming here I needed so much stuff, but I found that I bought initial necessities, and then as weeks went along and I made recipes that called for things I didn't have, I would get them then and build up that way. If something's hard to find and I see it, I'll usually grab a couple to keep on hand.
As far as meats go, I always get them at TJ's or at The Fresh Market... or Whole Foods if I am there. They carry high quality meats. They are more expensive than at the grocery store, but about 100 million percent% tastier and tender!! It's worth the extra few bucks in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteoh, great thoughts from all. including you suz. chix buillion (no salt added variety) is something that popped into my head. lemon juice. frozen chicken & beef for sure...but we have an extra freezer so i stock up when the freezable goods are on sale. onions & garlic are a must for cooking of course. and bunches of canned tomatoes. i usually have some potatoes hiding away also...nice side dish, if you like potatoes. (steak fries, baked, mashed) and pasta galore, like la mentioned. fun topic. i love to talk cooking. i'll have to think further about this.
ReplyDeleteMy list is similar to yours...but I have to have my avacado, bag of spring mix lettuce, and fresh green beans.
ReplyDeleteGot any new great recipes....oh I've got one...I should blog it- you'll have to wait to see...tee hee
Thanks to everyone for all the great insight! I appreciate the outstanding feedback and I love the interaction.
ReplyDeleteMy list is surprisingly similar--although minus *sob* the Trader Joes items (I soooo miss that place!). Being a born and raised Mid-westerner, I like to keep some type of frozen bread on hand--love the Pilsbury biscuits, you can pop two or three in the toaster oven and you've got an instant side. Or a loaf of french bread I can saw off to accompany pasta or to make a sandwich. You'll laugh, but we always have bacon :) I could go wild on the kids foods, but you don't need that list just yet. Oh, chopped green chiles--use them all the time! Micro popcorn too--I like the pop secret homestyle in the snack sized bags. We really do eat things other than carbs, but everyone else already covered those! :o)
ReplyDelete