The kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home- and for good reason. Moms and dads everywhere have an excellent opportunity to show their love for their family by creating home cooked meals. While cooking from scratch has always been considered the healthiest way to feed our families (certainly the thriftiest), today’s economics almost demands it. Keeping the kitchen pantry stocked with basic items at all times makes the great cooking easier and allows for more creativity with recipes. The entire pantry staple list can feel overwhelming. So let’s start the Well-Stocked Pantry Series with herbs, spices, and blended seasonings.
The best way to build your family’s personalized pantry is by using a basic master list of ingredients and adding to it as you come across items most often used in your kitchen. Eventually, the “borrowed” master list will become a custom one created just for you and your family.
One of the best ways to keep track and maintain stock on kitchen goods is to write the list into a document in the computer so that it’s there permanently. Additions can be made as the months go by. Once a month, print out your list and check off the items still in your pantry, purchasing the ones that are no longer there.
Well-Stocked Pantry Herbs
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Basil
- Dill
- Lemongrass
- Marjoram
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Poppy seeds
- Rosemary, ground
- Sage, rubbed
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Well-Stocked Pantry Spices
- Salt (both table and sea salt)
- Allspice (ground)
- Black Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Curry powder
- Cloves (ground)
- Garlic (powdered or granulated)
- Ginger
- Celery Powder or Salt
- Chile Powder
- Mustard (dry)
- Nutmeg
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Red Chile Pepper Flakes
Well-Stocked Pantry Combined Seasonings
- Cinnamon – Sugar Blend
- Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (packets)
- Lemon Pepper
- Seasoning Salt
- Taco Seasoning
- Onion Soup Mix (packets)
- Fajita Seasoning
- McCormick Meat Tenderizer
- Powdered Chicken Bullion
- Powdered Beef Bullion
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Cajun Seasoning
Remember, stocking up on herbs and spices for the first time can be very expensive. Pace yourself and pick up a couple of items each time you’re in the grocery store and before you know it, you’ll have on hand every herb, spice, and blended seasoning that any typical recipe calls for.
Check out the second article in the Well-Stocked Pantry Series : Condiments for the Well-Stocked Pantry
I also keep dehydrated minced onion. The kids don’t even know they are eating onions.
I use dehydrated minced onion a lot. It’s easy to add to various dishes and easy to store.
Excellent idea, Karla!