The Pantry

Three “must have” fresh ingredients:

Onions Celery Bell pepper.

One or more of these are needed in just about every recipe. They don't keep indefinitely in the cabinet or refrigerator.

Onions will keep a few weeks in a cabinet. Do not refrigerate unless some has been used off one. A cut onion will keep about a week in the refrigerator, if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Slice or chop and freeze (like the celery), if you can’t use in a week. Use frozen onion in any recipe you will cook.

Celery may keep three weeks or maybe a bit longer. Chop and freeze in about ¼ to ½ cup packages or freeze loose on a tray and then put in bag to use as needed in anything cooked.

Peppers will last a week or two or three, depending on how fresh and also on the refrigerator crisper. Chop or slice and freeze (like the celery and onion) and use in recipes that will be cooked.

Two other ‘must haves’ from the produce section are Potatoes and Carrots. Always refrigerate carrots. They will keep two or three weeks and sometimes longer. Never refrigerate potatoes until cooked. Potatoes should be stored out of the light and not near a moist area (like under the sink). They will keep a few weeks.

Garlic is good to have, but it may or may not keep well for a few weeks. It may be safest to use garlic powder or bits. It will freeze. Garlic is a very important ingredient in Mexican, Asian and Italian recipes. Fresh ginger is best for Oriental dishes, but ginger powder can usually be substituted, but not in same amounts. Can peel, slice and freeze to have as needed.

Spices –

There are several important spices to have around. Others will depend on personal taste.

Garlic Powder Onion Powder

Paprika Ground Mustard

Ginger Basil

Thyme Oregano

Cumin Chilli Powder

Black Pepper Red Pepper

Parsley Celery Seed

Cinnamon Nutmeg

Tumeric

Two general purpose – Old Bay (great with seafood) and Zatarain’s Creole (spicy Creole type dishes) if you wish. Italian seasoning is good to add to jars of spaghetti sauce.

Canned Items

Tomato Sauce Tomato Paste whole or Diced Tomatoes

Lower Sodium Chicken Broth Lower Sodium Beef Broth (Swanson is good)