The Loaded Kitchen.

I'm taking a break tonight to help the hubbs pack for his trip to the Wine Blogger's Conference in Portland, Oregon tomorrow.  But while he's busy getting ready for a weekend away, I'll be at home doing some serious nesting. 

As I flipped through The Family Meal- Home Cooking with Ferran Adria, I came across 2 pages that made my jaw drop.  Behold, a list of essentials that every cook should have in their kitchen pantry- I've got some serious shopping to do...

FRIDGE: 

eggs

butter

whole milk

whipping cream

Parmesan cheese

cheese slices

plain yogurt

smoked bacon

hot dogs

limes

lemons

apples

oranges

FREEZER:

fish stock

chicken stock

beef stock

ham stock

picada

tomato sauce

sofrito

bolognese sauce

romesco sauce

pesto sauce

peas

spinach

vanilla ice cream

squid ink

PANTRY:

five-spice powder

green anise seeds

saffron

ground cinnamon

cloves

ground cumin

dried chiles

ground nutmeg

achiote paste

dashi powder

ras el hanout

sichimi togarashi

sweet paprika

table salt

sea salt flakes

white pepper

black pepper

vanilla beans

dried bay leaves

dried oregano

dried rosemary

dried thyme

VEGETABLES:

garlic

onions

potatoes

OILS AND VINEGAR:

sunflower oil

ordinary olive oil

extra-virgin olive oil

toasted sesame seed oil

sherry vinegar

white wine vinegar

red wine vinegar

PRESERVES:

pickled capers

canned coconut milk

pickles

canned cooked beans

canned cooked lentils

canned anchovy fillets

canned tomato sauce

canned corn kernels

canned chopped tomatoes

dried shitake mushrooms

STARCH:

rice

couscous

polenta or cornmeal

tagliatelle

spaghetti

short egg noodles

farfalle

macaroni

egg noodles

white superfine sugar

confectioners' sugar

brown sugar

honey

molasses

cornstarch

ground almonds

all-purpose white flour

corn tortillas

croutons

potato flakes

SAUCES AND CONDIMENTS:

mayonnaise

red miso paste

black olive paste

red mole paste

whole-grain mustard

Dijon mustard

barbecue sauce

oyster sauce

soy sauce

teriyaki sauce

Worchestershire sauce

ALCOHOL:

brandy

Cointreau

Cognac

kirsch

anisette liquor

white rum

white wine

rice wine

dry sherry

red wine

NUTS AND SEEDS:

caramelized almonds

whole toasted Marcona almonds

caramelized hazelnuts

dried plums

crushed almonds

peeled walnuts

raisins

pine nuts

peeled green pistachio nuts

white sesame seeds

toasted sesame seeds

OTHER:

potato chips

potato straws

dark chocolate

white chocolate

unsweetened cocoa

instant coffee

grated coconut

menthol candies

honey-flavored candies

If you are anything like me, you gasped, "WHOA!" when reading this list.  In all honesty, I think a lot of people have these items in their kitchen already, but it's a great list to base some staple shopping off of because clearly, you will use what you collect.  There are some super helpful basics and some fun throw-in's if you are really feeling experimental.  Remember to try new things, you will be pleasantly surprised with what you may discover.

Get out there and have fun shopping!
B