Cupboard/Pantry/Fridge Essentials

Cooking Oils

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Regular Olive Oil
  • Canola Oil
  • Sesame Oil
  • Infused Oils (garlic, chilies, herbs, whole spices)

Condiments/Flavoring Liquids

Vinegars 

  • White Wine Vinegar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Rice Wine Vinegar
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Sherry Vinegar
  • Seasoned/Infused Vinegars (herbs, whole spices, chilies)
  • Balsamic Vinegar

Seasoning Sauces 

  • Oyster Sauce
  • Dark and Light Soy Sauce
  • Fish Sauce
  • Hot Sauces (Sriracha, Tabasco, Chipotle, Asian Sweet and Spicy sauce)
  • Barbecue Sauces
  • Worcestershire Sauce

Seasoning/Flavoring Liquids 

  • Wines and Liquors

*not necessarily cooking wines. The rule in cooking with wines is that if it’s good enough to drink, it’s good enough to cook with.

Reds, Whites, Sherry, Marsala, Conac, Brandy, Rum, Sake, Mirin, Rice Wine

  • Canned Stocks (beef, chicken, fish/seafood and vegetable)

Dairy

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Full Fat Milk
  • Canned Evaporated Milk
  • Canned Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Half and Half (1:1 milk+cream)
  • Sour Cream
  • Creme Fraiche (soured cream containing butterfat, used to finish soups and sauces)
  • Plain Yogurt
  • Cheeses (always recommended - Parmesan/Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, Gruyere, Blue Cheeses)

Herbs and Spices

Dried Herbs

  • Oregano
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme
  • Marjoram
  • Rosemary
  • Bay Leaves/ Laurel Leaves

Fresh

  • Parsley (curled or Italian Flat-Leaf)
  • Spring Onions and Chives
  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Cilantro
  • Tarragon
  • Woodsy Herbs like Rosemary and Thyme

Whole and Ground Spices

  • Salt (fine, coarse and rock salt crystals, fleur de sel)
  • Whole Peppercorns
  • Ground White Pepper
  • Cinnamon (whole sticks and powder)
  • Whole Star Anise (Asian Cooking)
  • Cloves (whole and ground)
  • Nutmeg (whole and ground)
  • Coriander (whole seeds and ground)
  • Cumin (whole seeds and ground)
  • Mustard (whole seed and ground)
  • Curry (ground mixes)
  • Dried and Fresh Chilies (whole and in flakes)
  • Chili Powder
  • Paprika (Sweet Spanish and Smoked)

Can/Jar Ingredients

  • Tomato Sauce
  • Whole Tomatoes
  • Stewed Tomatoes
  • Chipotle in Adobo Sauce
  • Green Olives
  • Black Olives
  • Kalamata Olives
  • Capers
  • Roasted Red Bell Peppers
  • Anchovies

Pastas and Grains

  • Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Farfalle, Linguini, Fettucine, Rotini, Dried Egg Noodles

*pastas that can be prepared in 30 minute dishes.

  • Rice - Basmati (for Biryani and Rice Pilaf dishes), Jasmine and Japanese Short Grain Rice (steamed or boiled, perfect starch accompaniment for Asian meals) and Arborio (risotto dishes)
  • Lentils (salads and Middle Eastern meals)
  • Dried Beans (Red Kidney, White Kidney for hearty and chunky soups and casseroles)

Citrus

  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Calamansi (Asian limes)

*essential for marinades and also as condiments