What Do I Need?: Kitchen Staples

Here’s a list of some basic cooking supplies that will help you in the kitchen. Having more than this is fine but will ultimately clog up your kitchen and make cooking more of a challenge. Simplify your kitchen and your life by buying kitchen wares that serve several purposes and that are used frequently.

-Gumbo pot (AKA: heavy bottomed stainless steel pot with a lid. These can be found at higher end kitchen stores and restaurant supply stores.)

USE FOR: soups, stews, stocks

-Large and smaller cast iron skillets. These are sold most everywhere. Don't be afraid of these as they are one of the most useful tools in your kitchen! *

USE FOR: almost anything from stewing to frying, or even making deep dish pizza.

* Some kitchen 'newbies' might be intimidated by cast iron because of the additional care they require but once you own several pieces and learn the simplicity of care you'll fall in love! Cast iron simply needs a quick wash, then a rub with any kind of oil before you store them away until their next use. I prefer olive oil, as that is what I always have on hand, and I just rub it in with a paper towel. Simple!!

-Dutch Oven. Mine is cast iron and has a lid but if you prefer stainless steel that is fine too.

USE FOR: jambalaya, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, etc.

-Assorted bakeware, that includes: large and small muffin pans, loaf pan, several baking sheets, and a 13x9 inch pan. *

* I own a lot of additional bakeware that is used mostly for special occasions but it is not necessary.

USE FOR: regular and mini savory or sweet muffins, mini desserts, breads and meatloaf, cookies, brownies, and lasagna.

-Crockpot

USE FOR: meats, soups, and stews

-Dry and liquid measuring cups

USE FOR: just about every single recipe ever

-Measuring spoons

USE FOR: same as measuring cups

-InstantPot

This cooking vessel is new to the game and serves lots of purposes! It is a combination pressure cooker, slow cooker, and all purpose cooker.

I am enjoying mine but still learning how to use it well.

PANTRY BASICS

• Assorted salts: kosher, fine, sea, Himalayan

• Assorted peppers: black and white

• Dried herbs in a wide variety of flavors

• Dried red peppers

• Mustards: dijon, yellow, spicy brown, whole seeds

• Pickles and pickled stuff: kosher spears, slices, sauerkraut, capers

• Olives: whole black and kalamata, green with pimentos

• Hot sauce: have an assortment on hand from the hottest to the mildest

• Ketchup

• Mayonnaise

• Soy sauce

• Pure maple syrup

• Natural peanut butter

• Assorted preserves or jams

• Vinegars: apple cider, balsamic, white

• Oils: coconut, olive, peanut

• Flour: bread, white, wheat, and cake

• Sugar: brown and white

• Baking soda

• Baking powder

• Pure vanilla extract

• Crystallized ginger (found in the ethnic food isle)

• Rice: brown and white

• Bouillon: beef, chicken, and veggie

IN YOUR FRIG

Eggs

Milk and cream

Lemons and limes

Fresh herbs: cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme and parsley

Onions

Potatoes

Carrots

Celery

Assorted colors of bell peppers

Several hot peppers (like fresh jalapenos)

Cheeses: cheddar, blue, feta, mozzarella, ricotta, cream, gruyere, etc.

Butter, lots and lots of delicious butter

IN YOUR KITCHEN

1. Dog and cat treats: because my dog(s) and cat love to lay on the kitchen floor while we cook it's important to reward them for their patience.

2. A glass of wine near you at all times (red or white, it's up to you!)

3. Family and friends...always!

Other stuff that is good to know ...

Cooking is really very easy. I've often said that "if you can read, you can cook" and it is very true. These recipes are meant for anyone to be able to prepare a healthy and hearty meal for their family and friends everyday of the week.

You've probably heard this before but I'm going to say it again to remind you: Cooking is not rocket science. It is simply a matter of trial and error and figuring out what you like. With the gorgeous bounty of foods available throughout the year you can pick and choose what you love and leave the rest behind. There's an infinite variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafoods available for the taking. All you need is a little imagination and a few good recipes that can be adapted and changed to fit your needs and tastes.

Organic versus non-organic? Fresh versus frozen? Handpicked versus packaged? Fresh versus processed? What's a shopper to do? How do you know what you want? Or what tastes the best and keeps you and your family happy and healthy? These are important questions and there are many potential answers. Here's my take on food and nutrition: do the best you can, as often as you can, with what you have. Huh? What does that mean?

I think we all know that health and nutrition are a moving target now days. Read something today and it will be contradicted tomorrow. Buy something at the farmers market this weekend and it will be banned next week. You'd think this was rocket science, but it's definitely NOT!

My advice is simple: use your head! If you can afford organic or can grow your own, then do. If you can buy from a local farmer, do it. If your town has a fresh seafood market, buy from them. If you have a large family and are on a tight budget and find you can only shop at discount or big box stores, well, then do it. What works for one family may not work for another family. You, the person taking the time to read this, have to decide what works best for you and yours. This is supposed to be fun and bring wonderful joys, laughter, and delicious aromas into your home. Leave the stress and struggles outside your doors and join your family and friends at the dinner table.

And another thing...if you don't like a particular herb or spice listed here, don't use it. If you like more of less of an ingredient, try adding or taking it away and see if it works. Make these recipes your own, for you and your family. Take credit for inventing any one of these recipes yourself.

What my family hopes you come away with is a new found joy for the love of family, food, and lots and lots of fun!