BUILDING YOUR FOUNDATION

Essential Quality Ingredients

Olive Oil

Extra virgin is unrefined and is better for your health.

Vinegars

Aged Sherry, Champagne and Red Wine Vinegars are three great staples. Spend a little more on these – cheap vinegars taste cheap!

Nut Oils

Choose from walnut, hazelnut, almond, pistachio. Store in the fridge after opening.

Peanut Oil, Canola Oil, Grapeseed Oil

These neutral oils with a high smoke point are great for frying and light sautéing.

Salt

Kosher Salt is an all-purpose staple for cooking, but also invest in an unrefined sea salt to finish dishes and for seasoning at the table. Look for names like Celtic Grey, Fleur de Sel and Himalayan Pink.

Black Peppercorns

Malabar and Tellicherry are two great varieties.

Spices

Here are some spice basics to keep in the house.

Bay Leaves, Cumin, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Pimenton (also known as hot, smoked, Spanish Paprika), Sweet Paprika, Whole Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ground Ginger, Dried Chile Flakes.

Pasta

Keep both long and short pastas on hand in your cupboard. Spaghetti and fettuccine are great with olive oil, cream and tomato sauces, while penne, farfalle, orecchiette, etc., are great with chunkier pasta sauces, vegetables and pasta salads.

Crackers, Breadsticks, Flatbreads

Keep these on hand for snacking alone or with olives and cheese.

Rice

Brown basmati is great for rice salads or to pair with chili, stir-fries and Indian food. If you love risotto, look for Vialone Nano, Arborio or Carnaroli varieties.

Whole Grains

Couscous, Bulgur Wheat, Oats, Barley, Farro, Polenta and Quinoa are all great staples with multiple uses for both cooking and baking.

Popcorn – buy locally grown or organic.

Dried & Canned Beans

Lentils, Chickpeas, Cannellini, Red Kidney to name a few.

Canned Tuna in Olive Oil

Try tuna in olive oil – it tastes so much better than water-packed tuna! Look for the words “dolphin safe” on the label.

Canned Tomatoes

Look for San Marzano tomatoes from Italy; they make the best sauces and they’re naturally sweeter than Roma tomatoes.

Tomato Paste

Buy a tube of double concentrated tomato paste. You often need just a couple tablespoons and you waste so much opening a whole can.

Capers

Salt or vinegar cured.

Nuts

Pecans, Almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts

Buy them raw and in bulk and toast before using.

Jam

Find a small-batch artisanal jam made from locally grown fruit. Find them at your farmers’ market and gourmet specialty shops.

Alcohol

Beer, Wine, Sherry, Marsala, Vodka, Bourbon, Rum, Grand Marnier, Dry Vermouth, Brandy or Cognac. These are great elements that add a lot flavor to your cooking and baking.

Finally, A Kick Ass Bar of Chocolate

Sometimes one bite is all it takes.

Click here for more great pantry ideas from Real Food Rehab