Kitchen Pantry

Author: Ronald Yip

Source: articleage.com



A well stocked kitchen pantry is a cook's secret weapon.Prepare your next dinner with style and never run out ofingredients, herbs, spices, extracts, sauces, and all kinds offoodstuff.Doing any job is easier when you have the right tools on hand.One of a cook's best tools -- and secret weapons -- is having awell-stocked kitchen pantry.Cooking is much simpler if you know that you've already got whatyou need on hand, and aren't going to have to run to the cornermarket every time you want to fix a meal. Having a well-stocked pantry is also the secret weaponespecially when unexpected guests drop by.You'll be able to make every guest feel special and welcomebecause, whether it is appetizers for four or dinner for ten,you can handle it with style and panache. In fact, yourreputation -- and your sanity -- will be assured, because withthese things in your pantry, you can put together beautiful andtasty food that is beautifully presented in just minutes, simplyand easily. Here is a list of basic ingredients that should be in anywell-stocked pantry. (One great way to stock your pantry is tobuy one or two things on the list each time you go shopping,rather than trying to get it all at once. If you watch the salesand take advantage of seasonal buys, you'll be able to savemoney as well!).Remember to rotate everything in your pantry on a regular basis,and adjust the items on this list to suit your family's likesand dislikes. Herbs, Spices, Extracts and Sauces: - Salt (Sea and Iodized) -Pepper (Whole Peppercorns, Black, White and Red) - Nutmeg(Ground and Fresh) - Cinnamon (Ground and Sticks) - Pumpkin PieSpice (Ground) - Allspice (Ground) - Cardamom (Whole and Ground)- Ginger (Whole and Ground) - Curry (Ground) - Garlic (Fresh andGround for Emergencies) - Mustard (Ground) - Bay Leaves (Dried)- Rosemary (Fresh and Bottled) - Thyme (Fresh and Bottled) -Sage (Fresh and Dried) - Sweet Basil (Fresh and Dried) - Parsley(Fresh and Dried for Emergencies) - Cumin (Ground) - Oregano(Dried) - Onions (Flakes for Emergencies) - Vanilla Extract -Maple Extract - Almond Extract - Lemon Extract - Orange Extract- Soy Sauce - Cooking Wine or Cooking Sherry - Rice Wine Vinegar- Sesame Oil - Balsamic Vinegar - Red Wine Vinegar - CitrusVinegar - Teriyaki Sauce - Barbecue Sauce - Sweet and Sour Sauce- Tabasco or Other Hot Sauce - Chili Sauce - Steak Sauce -Packages of Salad Dressing Mix - Packages of Dried Onion SoupMix (Or Other Flavors) - Soup for Sauces (Cream of Chicken,Mushroom, Celery and Cheese)For Baking: - All Purpose Flour - Self-Rising Flour - WholeWheat Flour - Pancake Mix - Yeast - Sugar - Confectioner's Sugar- Brown Sugar - Sugar Cubes - Molasses - Baking Powder - BakingSoda - Yeast - Cornstarch - Honey - Cocoa Powder - Unsweetenedor Semi-Sweet Chocolate - Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips -Butterscotch, Caramel and other flavored "chips" - Nuts(Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Hazelnuts and Cashews) - MarshmallowCream - Vegetable Shortening (Regular and Butter-Flavored) -Sunflower Oil - Maraschino CherriesFor Appetizers or Adding "Something Special" to Meals: - Peanutsin the Shell - Salted Peanuts - Mixed Nuts - Extra Virgin OliveOil - A Variety of Crackers - Black and Green Olives - CannedMushrooms - Palm Tree Hearts - Bottled Asparagus - Sun-driedTomatoes - Bottled Salsa - A Variety of Chips and Dips - Cheeses(Traditionally, 3 to 5 are served, from hard to soft, mild tostrong. Find flavors that mix well together, and serve cheesesfrom different animals and different countries)For Everyday Meals: - Bullion Cubes and Powders (Chicken, Beefand Vegetable) - White Rice - Long Grain and Wild Rice - BrownRice - A Variety of Pastas - Barley - Bread Crumbs - Croutons -Tomato Sauce - Tomato Paste - A Variety of Canned Tomatoes - AVariety of Canned Beans (Black, Red, Kidney and Garbanzo) -Dried Beans (Pinto, Chili and Kidney) - Canned Tuna, Chicken,Crab and ClamsFor Desserts: - Canned Pineapple (Chunks and Slices) - A Varietyof Canned Fruits - A Variety of Jams or Jellies - A Variety ofCake Mixes, Brownies and Frostings - A Variety of PackagedPuddings - All the fixings for Ice Cream Sundaes or BananaSplits - ApplesauceIn the Refrigerator: - Milk - Eggs (Or Egg Substitutes) - Cream(A staple for many Mediterranean Dishes) - Butter or Margarine -Yellow Mustard - Brown Mustard - Dijon Mustard - Ketchup -Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing - Cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Feta,Parmesan and Jack) - Cottage Cheese - Sour Cream - Green Onions- Tomatoes - Cilantro - Salad FixingsIn the Freezer: - Whole Chicken - Steaks - Boneless, SkinlessChicken Breasts - Beef or Pork Roast - Stew Meat - Hamburger -Pork Chops - Pieces of yellow, red and green peppers (Chop upany leftovers each time you use them and throw them into a bagin the freezer. They will add color and flavor to bland dishes)- Frozen Bread Dough (Make your own or store bought) - FrozenRolls (Make your own or store bought) - Frozen Pizza Dough (Makeyour own or store bought) - Frozen Baguette - Broccoli - SpinachWith these ingredients in your kitchen, the only thing you'llhave to worry about when it's time to cook is which recipe youwant to try!