Store Cupboard Essentials

Every cook has a list of items that they consider store cupboard essentials and I’m no exception.

I’ve divided these into three categories, things that last a long time, fresh food and frozen foods.

Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually frozen within one hour of being picked so they retain most nutrients.

My store cupboard always has a supply of

Dried Pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, rigatoni, lasagne sheets, macaroni, linguini)
Rice (Basmati, Arborio)
Tinned Beans (kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, butter beans, chickpeas, pinto beans, black-eyed beans)
Couscous
Tinned Lentils
Dried Lentils
Tinned Plum Tomatoes
Passata
Nuts (Cashew Nuts, Peanuts, Walnuts, Hazelnuts)
Seeds (Pumpkin, Sunflower)
Dried Fruit (Raisins, Cranberries, Prunes, Mango)
Coconut Milk
Tomato Puree
Olives (Jar)
Capers (Jar)
Sundried Tomatoes (Jar)
Peanut Butter
Nutella
Dried Noodles
Porridge
Flour (Plain, Strong, Self Raising, 00 for pasta, corn, masa hasina – for making tortillas)
Baking Powder
Bread Soda
Pickles (Jars)
Honey
Jam
Herbs (Italian Seasoning, Herb de Provence, Mixed, Oregano, Parsley, Coriander, Chilli Flakes)
Seasonings & Spices (Salt, Black Pepper Corns, Ground White Pepper, Onion Granules, Garlic Granules, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne, Cumin, Dried Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, )
Oils (Olive, Rapeseed, Sunflower)
Vinegars (Balsamic, White Wine, Rice Wine)
Sauces (Worcestershire Sauce, Chipotle Paste, Chipotle Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Tabasco)
Mayonnaise
Mustard (English, Dijon)
Crackers
Tortilla chips
Flour Tortillas
Salsa
Chocolate (Dark Bars, Milk Bars, Dark Drops, Powder, Cocoa)

All of the above items are long life so can be purchased in bulk if you have the space to store them.

I also make sure to have a supply of the following fresh food

Onions
Garlic
Olives
Cheese (Feta, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan)
Jams
Curry Paste (Tikka Masala, Thai Red)
Cream
Milk
Buttermilk
Butter (salted and unsalted)
Fresh Fruits (a mix of Apples, Pears, Bananas, Mango, Pineapple, Grapes, Oranges, Plums, Nectarines, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Melon, Watermelon)
Fresh Vegetables (Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Peppers, Courgette, Snap Peas, Green Beans, Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus)
Juices (Orange, Apple Blackcurrant)
Eggs (free range)

My freezer contains

I grow some fresh herbs on my windowsill and window box:

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