In case you were wondering, or are on your way to the store –  here’s a list of the ingredients I keep stocked at all times. No doubt, with this cache I could probably feed the family for a month (year?) without having to go to the store, but  by having these staples on hand it’s much easier to create tasty dishes any time of the week.

(Check back often – I’ll update this page as I think of new items.)

Freezer:

• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts)
• Unsalted butter
• Frozen vegetables (peas, corn, diced onions)
• Chicken breasts
• Leftover cubed chicken

Fridge:

• Dijon mustard
• Grated horseradish
• Pickled jalapeño peppers
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Chili sauce (sweet chili or chili garlic)
• Toasted sesame oil
• Tahini
• Worcestershire sauce
• Marmalade
• Milk, cream, reduced fat sour cream, fat-free Greek yogurt, cream cheese
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Chicken & beef “Better than Bouillon”
• Sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• Capers & olives
• Block cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano,  Gruyère, Sharp white cheddar
• Pre-grated cheeses: Mozzarella, cheddar-jack (or Mexican blend)
• Real maple syrup
• Lemons & limes

Pantry:

• Kosher salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Vegetable (i.e., canola) oil
• Chicken stock
• Chicken bouillon cubes
• Green salsa (Xochitl brand)
• Sherry vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Red wine vinegar
• Rice wine vinegar
• Agave nectar
• Honey
• Dark brown sugar
• Pure vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Corn starch
• Powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
• Baking powder & soda
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Active dry yeast
• Bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli)
• Block bittersweet chocolate (i.e. Valrhona)
• Hershey’s Mini Kisses chips
• Heath Toffee bits
• Cocoa powder
• Peanut butter
• Garlic
• Onions (red, white, yellow, shallots)
• Sesame seeds
• Dried herbs: French thyme leaves, oregano
• Spices: ground cumin, coriander (seeds & ground), turmeric, cinnamon, ground cloves, Chinese five spice, curry powder, cayenne pepper, ancho chili powder, black peppercorns, crushed red pepper
• Canned black beans
• Canned whole tomatoes (San Marzano)
• Tomato paste and tomato purée
• Dried pasta of various shapes (vermicelli, spaghetti, farfalle, elbows, rigatoni)
• Long grain & brown rice
• Jasmine/basmati rice
• Arborio rice (for risotto)
• Whole wheat couscous
• Brandy
• Dry sherry
• Dried plums (aka prunes), raisins, sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil), dates, dried ancho chilis, dried porcini mushrooms