Kitchen Basics

Some food items are basic to any kitchen–but what they include will be different for every person. Most guys I know have a beer in the fridge, a half empty pepper shaker next to the stove and a box of macaroni next to a can of green beans in their cabinets. Most women, even those who don't cook, tend to have lots of what we think of as "basics" because Mother always had them.

For me, the basics include 3 things: refrigerator basics, pantry basics, and spices. These are things I buy as I go along, whether I need them or not. Here’s a good starting place:

In the fridge:

• Milk
• Butter
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Dressing
• Mustard (or mayo or both)
• Pickle slices and/or relish
• Frozen veggies
• Some people would include eggs. I can take them or leave them.
• Tortillas

In the pantry:

• Canned tomatoes
• Tomato sauce/paste
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Tomato soup
• Macaroni and cheese
• Dry pasta
• Crackers
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking soda and powder
• Honey

Spices, etc:

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Crushed red pepper
• Garlic
• Onion salt
• Oregano
• Basil
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

I have many more spices and a lot more items that I buy on a regular basis, but this will get you started on your way to cooking whatever is in your kitchen!