If you've just moved into your new home, you
will most likely have to
purchase a lot of everyday essentials that slip your mind
during the moving process. You're so used to having your microwave or
salt/pepper shakers handy, you may forget about all the things you'll have to
get for your kitchen in your new place.
Whether you cook daily or just
once in awhile, take a look at the following list of must-have pantry and
cupboard items for your new home:
Dry pantry items
- Spice rack: if you want your food to be full of flavor, you should
probably invest in an already assembled spice rack (you could create your own by
buying each spice one by one, but odds are you will use a majority of the spices
in a rack that is already assembled).
Some popular spices:
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Garlic or onion powder
- Basil
- Oregano
- Salt/pepper: your salt and pepper shakers may not come with your
spice rack, and these are arguably that most-used duo in your kitchen, so don't
forget them! If you're into freshly ground seasonings, opt for a pepper mill or
rock salt in a grinder.
- Cooking oils: in most kitchens, you will find at least one oil used
for cooking, whether it's vegetable, olive, sesame or coconut. Depending on your
favorite, grab two.
- Canned goods: stocking up on non-perishables is good in case of
emergency, but these items also add variety to your stock and allow you to come
up with numerous daily meals--just don't forget a can opener!
Some canned
essentials are:
- Beans: black, pinto, green, garbanzo, lentils, etc. - they can all
play a versatile role in your kitchen creations. You can also opt for the dried
beans in bags.
- Yams
- Soups: besides your everyday favorites you may take to work for
lunch, you can pick up a few creamed soups, like cream of mushroom, which can be
used in baked dishes like meatloaf. Chicken or vegetable stocks are also a
must-have for cooking.
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Marinara/pasta sauce
- Tuna (or other canned fish or protein)
- Coffee: the variety of coffee you get will vary depending on your
tastes and your machine (French press, single-cup brews, 12-cup, etc.), but if
you need your caffeine fix in morning, you will not want to forget this item on
your grocery haul.
- Baking soda: this staple item doubles as a cooking/baking item and a
cleaning product. Sure, you use baking soda in many cookie recipes, but you can
also put a box in your fridge to absorb foul odors, brush your teeth with it and
remove stains.
- Honey: not just for tea drinkers - honey is a natural sweetener and
can be used in making glazes, dressings and marinades.
- Vinegar: another multipurpose staple, vinegar can be used for
dressings, marinades, homemade cleaning products, and more.
- Cooking spray: you may not wish to use full-fat oils every time you
go to fry an egg, so choose a zero-calorie vegetable (or coconut) version to
keep your food from sticking.
- Potatoes: at cool, dry temperatures, these can stay in your pantry
for weeks (and months in the refrigerator). Just be careful about keeping them
in the dark - they'll grow roots. And don't forget a potato peeler!
- Pasta: maybe not the best choice for a low-carb or gluten free diet,
but if your dietary needs allow it, pasta is inexpensive and can keep for very
long periods of time in your pantry, so stock up on as many different kinds as
you can!
- Rice: another easy-to-make and long-lasting staple, you can buy large
bags of rice in bulk and scoop out portions as needed.
- Jelly/Jam: you will need to refrigerate jelly once you've opened the
jar, but if you're a big peanut butter and jelly fan, stocking up on a few jars
for your pantry is a good idea.
- Peanut butter: you can use peanut butter for more than just
sandwiches - use it for smoothies, baking, sauces, marinades, etc.
- Cornstarch: use this staple for baking and as a thickening agent for
stews and gravies.
- Flour: you'll need all purpose flour not just for baking, but for
coating any meat, fish or veggies you plan on pan frying (you can also use the
flour to thicken soups, gravies and sauces).
- Bread crumbs: you'll be pretty upset if you plan out an entire
chicken parmesan meal and realize you didn't pick up bread crumbs - whether you
enjoy Japanese panko style or Italian herbs, you definitely want bread crumbs in
your kitchen to liven things up.
- Vanilla extract: if you're not a baker, you might be able to skip
this item; however, if you plan on entertaining guests with your newfound
confectioner skills, a large majority of sweet treats call for vanilla extract.
- Sugar: whether you add a spoonful to your coffee, sprinkle it on your
breakfast waffles or seldom use it at all - sugar should still be stored in a
well-stocked kitchen for any culinary feats that may arise. If you bake often,
confectioners and brown sugar are staples as well.
- Nuts: as long as you don't have allergy restrictions, dried, unsalted
nuts can last months in the pantry and are good for snacking, baking and for
adding extra flair to your meals (Thai peanut sauce, anyone?).
Refrigerator items
Now that you've stock piled your dry items,
don't forget about a few favorites that go together with many of your
non-perishables to create delicious meals.
- Basic condiments:
You can use a lot of these condiments
individually on sandwiches, burgers, and salads, but you can also create brand
new marinades, sauces and dips using these items:
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Relish
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressing
- Soy sauce/marinades
- Garlic: fresh cloves or minced in jar, this adds more intense flavor
than your garlic powder.
- Onions
- Milk (coconut or almond milk if you follow a vegan diet)
- Eggs
- Bread: sure, bread can be stored on countertops as long as the bag is
sealed; however, putting your loaf of bread in the fridge extends its use
(especially if you purchase any organic or sprouted grain bread).
- Butter: even if you use this item sparingly, you'll probably come
across a time where it will come in handy to grease a pan, at the very least.
- Cheese: again, maybe not so much for those with vegan diets, but if
you don't shy away from dairy, shredded parmesan cheese and a couple sliced
varieties are good to have on hand.
- Lemons/limes: flavor your food, add them to your tea, or use them as
a cleaning agent - they give off a great smell, too!