Kitchen Essentials

Pantry Must Haves

• Tomato Paste
• Canned Tomatoes (either no salt added diced or whole tomatoes no salt added)
• Chicken Stock (i make my own and freeze it, but there are some great stocks available in a box)
• Peanutbutter
• Canned Kidney Beans or Black Beans
• Flour (all purpose is a must, self rising is a nice time saver)
• White Sugar
• Powdered Sugar
• Brown Sugar (i use light for everyday use)
• Shortening
• Olive Oil and Vegetable Oil
• Raisins
• Pecan Halves (walnuts and almonds are great to have around as well)
• Old Fashioned Oatmeal
• White Onion
• Garlic
• Potatoes (I like yukon gold--red are great too, russet are fine)
• Bread

Spice Rack Must Haves

• Coarse Salt
• Pepper
• Cajun Spice
• Hamburger Seasoning
• Chili Powder
• Garlic Powder (not garlic salt)
• Bay Leaves
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg (I prefer whole and then grate it frsh)
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Vanilla Extract (the good stuff not imitation...you can buy a good sized bottle cheap at Sams)
• Pumkin Pie Spice

Refridgerator Basics

• Milk (whatever you prefer)
• Heavy Whipping Cream (really long shelf life)
• Unsalted Butter
• Eggs
• Pitted Kalamata Olives
• Stone Ground Mustard
• Teryaki Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Mayo
• Ketchup
• Relish
• Carrots and Celery
• Cheese (Parmesan, Pecarino, Cheddar and a sharp white like Swiss or Provolone)

Utensil and Appliance Must Haves

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Silicon Spatulas (I have 3 and always wish I had more)
• Wooden Spoons (cheap and should be replaced often, won't scratch your pots and pans)
• Plastic Slotted Spoon
• Plastic Ladle
• Can Opener
• Tongs
• Glass or Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls in various sizes
• Wire Wisk
• Offset Spatula
• Ice Cream Scoops in 2 or 3 sizes (great for portion control of cookies and more)
• Glass Liquid Measuring Cup
• Small Strainer or Sieve (for straining sauces and sifting dry ingredients)
• Chef Knife (one that fits your hand comfortably)
• Paring Knife
• Serated Bread Knife
• 9" Square Cake Pan (for brownies and such)
• 13 by 9 Glass Baking Dish
• Large Plastic Strainer (for rinsing veggie and draining pasta)
• 2 Sauce Pots (one small and one large)
• 2 Non Stick Frying Pans (one small and one large)
• 1 Two Handled small Stockpot
• 1 Large Stockpot