Pantry Items You Should Stock On

As a rule, the items that can be found in pantries differ from household to household.  This is because different families have different tastes and food preferences.  It is good to have enough food items in your pantry to enable you to cook a variety of meals at any given time.  Here are the pantry items which you would never go wrong to buy and stock up on:

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are on demand every time.  Store them in tightly-sealed containers in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.  Stock up on peppercorns, garlic powder, chili powder, curry powder, basil, thyme, oregano, cinnamon and cardamom.

Onions and Garlic

These enhance the flavor and aroma of almost any dish so you better stock up on them.  Store them in open bins which allow air to circulate.  Keep them away from other food items as they emit gases which cause spoiling.

Rice, Grains, Beans and Pasta

You will never regret having much of these staples on hand as they get used up fast.  Store rice and grains in covered but preferably transparent containers to keep bugs away.  Label with date of purchase so you can know when to use.  As for pasta, they are best kept in the box when not yet opened.  After opening, transfer to covered containers.

Oils and Vinegars

As virtually every dish requires oils or vinegars, you'd never go wrong stocking up on them.  Basic, cheaper oils are good for frying while olive oil is ideal for drizzling over salads.  Also have different vinegars to vary the flavors of your dishes such as balsamic, apple cider and raspberry vinegar.

Canned Tomato Products

Many dishes call for canned tomato products such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and pasta sauces so that having many cans of these on hand is very helpful.   Arrange and use by expiry dates.

Canned Vegetables and Fruits

When your ref has run out of fresh produce, canned vegetables and fruits can save the day.  Keep canned corn, beans and chili.  Canned fruits like pears, peaches and mandarin oranges are also good for quick desserts.

Canned and Boxed Soups, Stocks and Broths

These are also must-have pantry items as they make cooking a breeze.  Keep a variety of canned soups at hand to make your meals interesting.

Baking Products

Breakfasts and snacks require a steady supply of baking products such as flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, baking mixes and cornstarch.  You also need other ingredients such as chocolate chips, cocoa powder, cinnamon, corn syrup and other staples for baking.

PBJ Items

Peanut butter and different kinds of jams and jellies should always be on hand to keep hungry kids from getting amuck.  Take note of the expiry dates so you will know when to transfer them to the ref for storage.