The Staples

If you're serious about eating great food, there are a few basics that you'll need on hand! It might cost you a little bit more to get started, but once you've stocked your pantry, maintenance is easy. The following are my personal staples, but you should explore until you've found your own to add to these!

1. Balsamic and Olive Oil  

You don't have to go all out with either of these, but they are absolutely essential to most of my own cooking. Making a quick salad? Mix 1 part balsamic with 2 parts olive oil and voila! Instant dressing. Want a tasty snack? Put a bit of olive oil on a plate with a few drops of balsamic--soak them up with some delicious bread and satisfy the salty craving. You can get both of them for fairly cheap, but I personally recommend going for a mid-level price/quality. With olive oil, I always get Pompeian Extra Virgin Robust Flavor--it tastes amazing and the price is reasonable. For balsamic, I always get Monari Federzoni, but you can choose what you like. However, I would strongly encourage avoiding store brands and Pompeian (ironically)--they just don't taste very good! My one rule of thumb is to get something that was made in Italy.

2. Sweet Basil
To me, sweet basil is the herb of all herbs, and I use it in more recipes than you might imagine! I actually like to buy a small plant in the spring, and it tends to grow fairly well sitting on my balcony. I just have to water it daily and make sure it doesn't get too much sun! It yields a wonderful crop of leaves from about April to October and it also dries easily for use during the winter. If you don't want to spring for fresh basil, though, you can easily buy a bottle--no preference on brand--and I usually keep some on hand in addition to my homegrown variety.



3. Rosemary
While not as important as basil, rosemary can be used in a variety of recipes and is good to have around. I also like to grow my own, and if taken inside during the winter, it lasts year-round. You can also buy the dried leaves in a bottle, but I personally think they taste a little bitter. If you opt for the dried leaves, then I would suggest decreasing the amount you add to any recipe.

4. Yellow Onions

If you haven't been converted to using onions yet, then you'd better start the process now! I usually like to have 2-3 on hand, because they enhance the flavor in a variety of recipes and I never know when I'll need them next. They are generally very cheap at the grocery store, and if you buy good ones (no brown spots at the base, still fully skinned, no visible bruises or decay), they can last up to four weeks in the pantry. Just the smell of them sautéing in a little butter will have your stomach rumbling in no time!

5. Garlic
You can use the powder stuff if you want, but nothing really compares to fresh garlic. I always like to keep a few heads on hand for when I need them, and they usually last a little while. It's generally only necessary to throw them out when they get too dry or start sprouting a bunch. You can also get the "fresh" chopped stuff (they sell it at Costco), but I personally think nothing compares to the real deal. If you don't already have a garlic press, I highly recommend investing in one--you won't regret it!


6. Butter
Not margarine, not shortening, not I Can't Believe It's Not Butter--you've got to commit to the real thing! It might cost a little bit more, but your taste buds will pay the price if you don't invest in the genuine article. Salted or unsalted doesn't really seem to matter--but having it on hand is a must. I like to look for when it goes on sale and then buy several packages. You can freeze them for up to a few months and just let a new package thaw in the fridge as you need it.

7. Spices
I won't presume to tell you what spices you should have, because everyone has differing tastes. I think with this one, you have to learn as you go--if you cook more Indian food, you'll need completely different spices than you would for Mexican or Italian. My own essentials are lemon pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, cumin, crushed red pepper, and chili powder. As a rule, just stock your spice cupboard with your favorites--especially when they go on sale!