A Must Have List for the Perfect Pantry

What’s in your Perfect Pantry?  Fridge/Freezer?  Spice Cabinet?  I’ve been wanting to publish this post for some time now, A Must Have List for the Perfect Pantry!  I even took it a step further to include fridge and freezer items!  Some items that are frequently used by the everyday cook. It all starts with keeping a well stocked kitchen.

I live in South Florida and hurricane season is fast approaching.  A few years ago, we had quite a scare with hurricane Irma. For the first time since being in my house, I actually got scared enough to evacuate.  Since I live on the East side of town less than a mile from the Ocean there is definitely a higher chance of flooding and extensive damage.

Thinking back I remember packing up my car with personal papers, my passport and pictures of my mom, who passed away.  I didn’t really take any clothes or jewelry or regular material things.  I am very sentimental.   The things I took were things that I have had for most of my life and things that meant the most to me – things that I would really really miss if they got lost somehow and could never be replaced.

I packed my car as much as I could then sat in my driveway sobbing for about 20 minutes because I honestly didn’t think I would have a home to come back to.  Pretty scary!

On a lighter note, I went to one of my favorite stores Crown Wine and Spirits and stocked up on Vodka, Wine and Champagne!  I was going to a friends house that lived way out West – away from any water.  When I’ve had to evacuate before, honestly the only thing to do is hang-out and party.  Also I got some food to throw on the grill as well just in case we ended up losing power at their home.

The storm was really bad however, my house survived.  Everyone lost power.  Some for longer periods of time than others.  My power was out for about a week.  Even though I always keep a fully stocked fridge and freezer, I didn’t care.  I was just so happy to still have a home.  My family always makes fun of me with my fully stocked fridge and freezer, because I live alone.  However, I cook a ton and I entertain more than most people.  I also do not like running to the grocery store everyday just to pick up a few things.  I like to plan.  I like to keep some prepared/homemade items in my freezer and trust me, they come in handy quite often.  I grocery shop once a week usually and almost always on Thursday.  The grocery store is too crowded for me on the weekend.  Being prepared for the weekend is very important to me because it’s when I usually have people over.  This is just how I like to do things.

Since hurricane season is approaching, I’ve been reminiscing about the scare 2 years ago.  I lost a TON of food!  I mean a TON!!!!  Homemade pesto, soup, stock, fish, chicken just to name a few items.  Every time I open my freezer now I think about that darn storm and what I’d lose if that were to happen again.  This time I am prepared.  I have a back-up plan.  I have a friend that lives near-by.  He happens to have a commercial size fridge and freezer.  It’s pretty amazing.  He is in the process of emptying out the freezer so that I can use it for storage in case anything were to happen this time.  He has a back-up generator that will automatically kick on should the power go out.

This past weekend I took an inventory and made a spreadsheet of everything I had in my freezer.  It’s usually pretty organized, but I found that I have bought some things I already had.  I want to make sure I don’t do this again which is why I made a spreadsheet.  If you saw this list, you would think I was a crazy person.  Or maybe not??  I could probably not grocery shop for months and months and be ok!  I have lots of homemade things like meatballs/red sauce, pesto sauce, homemade cleansing broth, beef stock, bags of chicken parts to make more homemade stock, frozen bananas (I freeze them when they get too ripe) to use for my green smoothies, chicken soup, homemade barbecue sauce, fresh cut up mango that’s been bagged to use for Bellini’s – I prefer to use mango instead of peach.  I mean……… It would be tragic to lose power and have to throw all of this away.  But I have a good plan this time.

I’ve been wanting to share some of the things that I like to keep in my pantry at all times.  I’m curious about what you keep in yours.  I love to buy fish from my local fish market the day I want to cook it, but that doesn’t always work out.  That being said, I do keep a small amount of fish in my freezer.  I have a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer so that helps a lot.  It’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances ever!  No freezer burn and the food will last much longer.  It’s so easy to use.  If you don’t have one, I highly recommend getting one!  Just click on the link above.

I really like the idea of spending time in the kitchen on a Sunday to cook for the week or even to cook to freeze some things for later use.  I’ve already posted my Chicken Soup recipe.  I will also post a few more freezer friendly things that are on my list such as my favorite bean recipe and a good pasta sauce.  They really do come in handy on those days you feel like having something good and homemade, but you just don’t feel like cooking!  Trust me!!

This list is very minor compared to the items I actually keep on hand.  I just wanted to start with the basics for everyday cooking.  I may update this list from time to time.  If and when I do, I’ll be sure to let you know!  This is my must-have list for The Perfect Pantry:

PANTRY

• assorted cuts of dry pasta
• basmati rice
• assorted dry beans/peas (black beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, red beans, black eyed peas)
• flour, sugar (white and brown)
• canned tuna
• canned beans (black beans, garbanzo beans, cannellini beans)
• canned tomatoes
• tomato paste
• baking powder
• baking soda
• cornstarch
• herbal tea
• assortment of oils and vinegars (extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, red and white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, champagne vinegar, sherry vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar)
• soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• vanilla
• Sriracha sauce
• chicken broth/stock
• quinoa, farro, bulgar, barley
• rolled oats
• bread crumbs
• fresh garlic
• onions/shallots
• anchovies
• fish sauce
• Louisiana Hot Sauce

SPICE CABINET

• kosher salt
• whole peppercorns (or course ground black pepper)
• garlic powder
• paprika
• onion powder
• curry powder
• oregano
• thyme
• basil
• Italian seasoning
• red chili flakes
• chili powder
• bay leaves
• Old Bay Seasoning
• cayenne pepper
• cumin
• cinnamon

FRIDGE

• lemons, limes
• fresh fruit/berries
• club soda
• sparkling water
• wine
• fresh parsley
• fresh thyme
• salad greens
• assortment of cheeses
• eggs
• butter
• fresh fruit

FREEZER

• homemade soup
• homemade stock
• frozen turkey legs/wings (for flavoring fresh beans)
• homemade pasta sauce
• assorted nuts
• bread/rolls
• frozen vegetables
• vodka
• homemade beans
• butter

I certainly hope this ends up being a very calm hurricane season, but you never know.  At least I am prepared for saving all of my fridge and freezer items this time!  I mean do you see that huge fridge/freezer??  It’s insane!

Let me know what’s in your Perfect Pantry!  I honestly would love to see YOUR list!  Tell me all of your fave’s and must-have’s!!!  I hope this helps with you keeping a well stocked kitchen!