My Perfect Pantry - Spices

Spices:

• Allspice
• Anise
• Bay Leaves
• Cardamom; Black, Green
• Caraway Seeds
• Cayenne Pepper
• Celery Salt
• Chili Powder
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Curry
• Dill
• Fennel
• Fenugreek
• Garlic Powder
• Ground Ginger
• Lavender
• Majoriam
• Ground Mustard
• Nutmeg
• Onion Powder
• Oregano
• Paprika; Sweet, Hot, Smoked
• Peppercorns; Black, White
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Rosemary
• Saffron
• Sage
• Salt; Kosher, Sea, Smoked
• Star Anise
• Smoked Chile Powder
• Tarragon
• Thyme
• Ground Turmeric

I usually keep whole spices around and grind them myself in my coffee grinder. Whole spices taste so much fresher and last much longer too. To go back to the main page for this article, click here.

My Perfect Pantry - Bar

Bar:

• Wine; Red, White, Port
• Vermouth
• Brandy or Cognac
• Vodka
• Gin
• Rum
• Tequila
• Assorted Liqueurs; Chocolate, Coffee, Irish Cream, Apple, Orange, Raspberry, Cassis, Hazelnut, Cinnamon
• Beer
• Club Soda
• Sweet & Sour
• Grenadine

Asian:

• Wine; Shao Hsing, Plum
• Sake
  

Italian:

• Wine; Marsala
• Assorted Liqueurs; Almond

I know this seems like a lot of alcohol, but I like to be ready to have guests at any time. Plus a shot of apple liqueur into a pie or some chocolate liqueur in coffee really makes a moment special. To go back to the main page for this article, click here.

My Perfect Pantry - Canned or Bottled Pantry

Canned/Bottled:

• Oil; Extra-Virgin Olive, Canola, Peanut
• Vinegar; Balsamic, Red Wine, White Distilled, Apple Cider
  
• Tomatoes; Diced, Paste, Roasted, Sauce, Whole
• Beans; Black, Chili, Kidney
• Fruit; Apple Sauce, Apricots, Mandarin Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Pineapple
• Stock; Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Oyster
• Pickles
• Tuna
• Honey
• Maple Syrup
• Worcestershire
• Evaporated Milk
• Condensed Milk
• Peanut Butter
• BBQ Sauce
• Bouillon; Chicken, Beef
  

Asian:

• Vinegar; Rice Wine, Chinese Black
• Soy Sauce
• Hoisin Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Mirin
• Oyster Sauce
• Ponzu
• Chili Garlic Sauce
• Coconut Milk
• Fish Sauce
• Tamarind Paste

Italian:

• Tomatoes; Sun-dried (in oil)
• Beans; Cannellini
• Olives
• Capers
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Anchovies In Oil
  

Mexican:

• Tomatillos
• Beans; Refried
• Chiles; Chipolte in Adobo, Green

Middle Eastern:

• Beans; Garbanzo
• Tahini

I didn't include soup here because I usually make my own. To go back to the main page for this article, click here.

My Perfect Pantry - Dry Pantry

Dry Pantry:

• Garlic
• Onions & Shallots
  
• Potatoes; Red, Russet or Idaho
• Crackers
• Granola
• Cereal
• Rolled Oats
• Popcorn
• Rice; Brown, Wild
• Split Peas
• Coffee
• Tea; Earl Grey, Chamomile, Fruit (like Peach for Iced Tea)
• Dried Fruits; Cherries, Cranberries, Currants, Dates, Figs, Brown & Golden Raisins, Turkish Apricots
• Dried Mushrooms; Porcini, Morel
  

Asian:

• Panko
• Pasta; Ramen, Udon
• Rice; Glutinous, Jasmine
• Bonito Flakes
• Dried Kombu (seaweed)
• Dried Mushrooms; Shitake
• Wasabi Powder
  

Italian:

• Pasta; Angel Hair, Bow Tie, Elbows, Fettuccine, Lasagna, Linguine, Penne, Spaghetti
• Rice; Arborio
• Polenta
  

Mexican:

• Tortilla Chips
• Dried Chiles; Ancho, Guajillo
  

Middle Eastern:

• Couscous
• Lentils

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My Perfect Pantry - Baking

Baking:

• Flour; All-Purpose, Bread, Cake, Whole Wheat
• Sugar; Brown, Confectioners', Granulated, Superfine
• Cornmeal
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Yeast
• Cornstarch
• Shortening
• Chocolate; Bittersweet, Milk& White Chips, Dark, Dutch Cocoa
• Food Dye
• Extracts; Almond, Vanilla
• Powdered Espresso
• Cream of Tartar
  
• Various Candies

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My Perfect Pantry - Freezer

Freezer:

• Ice
• Frozen Vegetables; Baby Onions, Corn, Peas, Snap Peas, Spinach
• Frozen Fruit; Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Mangoes
  
• Ground Beef
• Boneless Chicken Breasts
• Boneless Pork Chops
• Bacon
• Bread
• Dinner Rolls
• Fresh Breadcrumbs
• Puff Pastry
• Ice Cream (Usually vanilla)
• Nuts; Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Pecans, Pistacchios, Black & White Sesame Seeds, Walnuts
• Homemade Cookies & Muffins
• Pizza Dough

Asian:

• Edamame
  

Greek:

• Phyllo Dough

Italian:

• Pine Nuts
• Cheese Tortellini
• Ravioli
• Italian Sausage
  

Mexican:

• Tortillas; Corn, Flour

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My Perfect Pantry - Fridge

Fridge:

• Eggs
• Butter
• Milk
• Whipping Cream
• Buttermilk
• Cheese; Blue, Cheddar, Cream, Pepper-jack
  
• Yogurt
• Bacon
• Bread
  
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard; Smooth & Grainy Dijon, Spicy
• Horseradish
• Ketchup
• Sweet Relish
• Jams/Jellies; Apple, Marmalade, Raspberry, Strawberry
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Apples
• Bananas (On the counter)
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mangoes (When in season)
• Oranges
• Peaches (When in season)
  
• Plums (When in season)
• Chives

Asian:

• Fresh Ginger
• Miso Paste (Usually Red)

Greek:

• Feta
  

Italian:

• Mozzarella
  
• Parmesan
• Ricotta
• Cured Meat (Salami or Prosciutto usually)
• Basil
  

Mexican:

• Sour Cream
• Avocados
• Salsa
• Tortillas
• Cilantro
  

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My Perfect Pantry

I like making lists. And since I love food, it seems natural to make lists about food. One of my most researched food lists is my essential pantry list. Just what exactly should I have in my fridge, freezer and pantry at all times? After making some rules, such as items in the fridge must be used at least once a week, I put together my basics and added on over the course of a few weeks. The result was as close to my perfect pantry as possible.

For your convenience I have separated my perfect pantry into a few sections:

Fridge
Freezer
Baking
Dry Goods
Canned/Bottled
Spirits
Spices

I've included what I always like to have on hand in each section. I've also added some themed ingredients that I like to have on hand as well, ex. Italian or Mexican fridge staples. What do you consider to be in your perfect pantry?