"Keep-Around" Ingredient List

We're a young couple. We don't have unlimited funds to stock our pantry, so I always budget shop. Although, I must admit, if we had a Whole Foods Market in our area I would buy lots of fresh produce there. But we don't. We live in a small town where the nearest chain grocery store is located in the next town over. This often limits my options for supplies, and all those fancy ingredients some recipes call for. Nevertheless, there are several things that I always like to keep around in order to create/have quick meals. They are things that don’t expire quickly, since cooking for two often means not knowing when and how you will fix fresh ingredients. Here's a helpful list:

1. Chicken Stock (Carton or Can)

2. Frozen Vegetables (A good variety, including mixes)

3. Canned Vegetables (especially mushrooms and diced tomatoes)

4. Frozen Meal (Bertolli type or similar)

5. Frozen Protein (ex: Perfect Portion Chicken from Perdue put in freezer or Tilapia Fillets)

6. Onions

7. Potatoes and the occasional Sweet Potatoes

8. Olive Oil

9. Minced or Fresh Garlic (little jars)

10. Pasta (different varieties, including Tortellini)

11. Couscous or Rice (Brown or White Minute Rice is great!)

12. Jars of Pasta Sauce (variety)

13. Cream of Chicken/Cream of Mushroom cans

14. Bag of Bacon Bits

15. Frozen Pizza (We all love Pizza!) :)

16. Spices and Dried Herbs

a. Salt & Pepper

b. Paprika

c. Cayenne Pepper

d. Some type of All Spice (Chef’s Blend, ect)

e. Basil

f. Parsley

g. Garlic Salt or Powder

h. Beef and Chicken Bouillon Cubes

i. Any other type of spices/herbs or like

17. Eggs

18. Flour

19. Sugar (Granulated, Brown, and Powdered)

20. Butter (unsalted)

Then there are several fresh ingredients I try to keep around that are great! The only thing is that I have to have a plan for them within the coming week! So here’s that list:

1. Fresh Baby Bella or regular mushrooms

2. Carrots

3. Tomatoes

4. Cheese

5. A Bottle of cheaper Wine for sauces

Then, of course, I often have certain meals in mind while at the grocery store, and I will stock up on those individual ingredients at that time. I’m also big on using my resources. There are cooking magazines, websites, and books out there for a reason! And I use these recipes often. You don’t have to “reinvent the wheel” when cooking- I like to use what’s out there or make individualized adaptations. However, the items in the first list will definitely provide meals for two without additional ingredients or complicated recipes. I will try to prove this to you throughout my cooking journal!