People often ask, "What should I stock my pantry with?"
                  so we answer with this list of our "must haves." 
                                   It may seem like a long list, but with this list of pantry items
                                 you should be able to create simple weeknight meals in a snap!

BASICS:
All-purpose unbleached flour
Baking soda and baking powder
Brown sugar (light)

Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
White Sugar
Cornmeal
Cornstarch
Oats (Quick oats are fine)
Pasta (nice variety: spaghetti, linguine, penne, etc)

Potatoes (5lb. bag of yellow and 2-4 baking potatoes)
Reduced-sodium chicken, beef and vegetable broths or bouillon cubes
Rice (Minute Rice and long-cooking rice)
Chocolate chips and/or baking chocolate

Cocoa powder
Nuts (basics: walnuts, pecans, peanuts)

Peanut butter

Dried bread crumbs (seasoned and plain – Panko (Japanese) is nice to have too)

Vanilla

Onions (yellow and red 2-4 of each)

Garlic (2-4 heads)

DRY SEASONINGS:
Allspice
Basil
Bay leaves
Black pepper – whole pepper corns are best
Cayenne pepper
Cinnamon, ground
Crushed red pepper flakes
Cumin, ground
Dill
Garlic powder
Ginger, ground
Mrs. Dash original seasoning blend
Mustard, dry
Nutmeg, ground
Onion powder
Oregano
Paprika
Rosemary
Sage, ground
Salt – Kosher is best

Tarragon
Thyme

CONDIMENTS:
Honey
Mustard, Dijon-style
Salsa
Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
Worcestershire sauce

Soy sauce

BBQ sauce

Mayonnaise

Cream style horseradish

Pesto (jarred or in the tube)

Maple Syrup

OILS:
Canola oil
Olive oil – Extra virgin is best
Sesame oil
Vegetable-oil cooking spray
Non-fat cooking spray

VINEGARS:
Balsamic vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Rice vinegar
White wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Distilled white vinegar

Dairy

Sour cream

Parmesan Cheese (grated and/or shredded)

Cheddar cheese

Milk

Cream cheese (at least 2 bricks)

Eggs

Butter (unsalted is best)

Vegetables

Carrots

Celery

Lettuce

Green onion (Scallions)

Mushrooms

Cucumbers

Bell pepper (red, preferred)

Tomatoes (in season or off season buy Roma tomatoes)

Fresh flat leaf parsley

Fresh cilantro

Fruits

Bananas

Lemons

Limes

Apples (I like Granny Smith)

Seasonal berries

Frozen

Ice cream or frozen yogurt (vanilla is versatile)

Variety of frozen vegetables (peas, corn, green beans, peppers, spinach)

Pie crusts (ready made in pan or roll-out)

Ground beef and/or turkey

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Whole roasting chicken

2-4 steaks (your choice of cut)

Uncooked Shrimp (medium to large in size)

Phyllo dough and/or puff pastry

Whipped topping (Cool Whip)

Frozen mixed berries

Other:

Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup

Totillas (corn and flour)

Bottled salad dressings

Pickles (dill and sweet)

Olives (black, green, kalamata)

Bottled roasted red peppers

Bottled Capers

Canned beans (1 or 2 varieties)

Canned tuna and/or salmon

Canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce (unseasoned), crushed tomatoes

Bottled prepared pasta sauce

Boxed yellow cake mix

Assortment of crackers

Electronics
Food processor
Electric Mixer (stand or hand held)

Blender

WINES:
Dry or cooking sherry
Dry white wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)

Dry red wine (Chianti or Merlot)