Basic Pantry Needs for Starting a Kitchen

A well stocked pantry can be a busy cook's best friend. With enough of the basics and just the right amount of variety, whipping up a meal can be a cinch.

Baking Basics

Honey can be stored in the pantry indefinitely.

Pantries should be stocked with baking basics. These items are sold in large quantities, and often come in paper packages that rip easily. As a result, it is wise to store flour and sugar in a larger canister. Baking items are not only for bread and cookies. Foods such as flour, honey or molasses can thicken a gravy or cheese sauce, cut the acidity of chili or pasta sauce, or add just the right kick to a batch of baked beans.

Canned Goods And Grains

Canned tomatoes or tomato sauce is a pantry essential.

Dinner is a snap with a combination of grains, such as pasta or rice, beans and canned veggies. Canned tuna can be tossed with a fresh salad, tomato sauce can be made into pizza or pasta sauce, and having vegetable stock on hand means that a pot of soup is only moments away. These items are widely available in most grocery stores.

Condiments, Spices and Sauces

You should always keep good quality olive oil on hand.

If variety is the spice of life, then spice is what adds flavorful variety to your pantry-prepped meals. Spices, such as dried basil, sage, and oregano, can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to two years. Olive oil is a pantry staple, as is soy sauce, peanut butter and maple syrup. These items have a long shelf life provided they are sealed tightly and the temperature in the pantry stays cool.

References

• Everything Mom: Pantry List
• Old Recipe Book: Basic Pantry List, Tools for a Starter Kitchen
• Teri's Kitchen: The Well-Stocked Kitchen Pantry