Back in the day...when we were poor and living waaaay out in the country, I had to learn how to cook without running to town everyday. Home cooking wasn't an option...it was a necessity. Now that we're living in the city, I still cook like this. It really saves our budget....and our health!
These are items that I stock up on when they're on sale, and/or I have a coupon for them, and/or I am running at half of the quantity I usually keep on hand. I've listed the item along with the number of packages of that item that I keep on hand. I've also listed the brands that I like. They aren't in any particular order. It may seem like a large quantity of food, but it keeps me cooking! It's well worth it to keep stocked up...just plan ahead when you see the item on sale...buy several, and you'll save a lot of money!
To get started with this list, go through, and decide which 15-20 items you will need first...start slowly with building up your stockpile...and don't buy something just because its on my list. For example, don't buy 8 jars of pimentos, unless you have at least 2 recipes you use regularly that call for pimentos. You get the idea...this is certainly not an exhaustive list...I'll add to it from time to time. Try making your own list based on the top 6-10 recipes that you use more often...and remember that your on hand quantities may be different than mine, depending on your family size and storage space. We feed 3 regular eaters, and one very picky eater.
This list may seem excessive, but note that many of the items are spices, condiments, or baking supplies that don't take up much room. Consider storing extra canned goods in the garage, basement, or crawlspace if these areas don't freeze. I never store boxed goods anywhere but the kitchen.
Canned Goods:
chicken broth-6 boxes...pacific foods organic chicken broth...NOT Swanson
cream of chicken soup-6 cans...Campbells, some generics (not Kroger)
cream of mushroom soup-6 cans...Campbells, some generics (not Kroger)
unsweetened applesauce...2 jars, any brand
canned pineapple-4 cans...chunks for pineapple upside down cake...crushed for eating with cottage cheese and baking.
canned peaches-6 cans...any brand...only in concentrated pear juice...NOT in syrup
canned pumpkin-6 small cans...NOT pumpkin pie filling
canned refried beans-3 small cans...any brand
canned chicken-6 cans...I buy this in bulk at Costco or Sam's Club.
pimentos-4 small jars
Baking Supplies:
flour-25 lbs all purpose (not self rising)
sugar-25 lbs
powdered sugar-2 lbs...any brand
dark brown sugar-2 lbs...C&H...or generic when I can find it.
yeast-5 pints...much cheaper to buy in bulk at Costco or Sam's club...transfer to pint size canning jars and freeze...keep one in the fridge;
shortening-1 can...all vegetable..OR...lard, when I can get 4-H lard from the butcher (usually free)...I render it down (see tamale recipe for instructions), and freeze it in wide mouth quart jars. It makes the best baked goods and tamales.
devils food & spice cake mixes...any brand
Jiffy brand corn muffin mix -6 boxes...these cost less than 50 cents and mix up in a jiffy! Mix in extra butter and honey before baking.
organic apple cider vinegar...I like Bragg's brand
white vinegar...cheap is good, I buy it in bulk and use it for cleaning and laundry too.;
canola oil-1 large bottle
jello-6 boxes...various flavors...I don't buy sugar free.
pudding mix-4 boxes...chocolate & vanilla
graham crackers-1 box...any brand
vanilla extract Don't get imitation...spend a little more and get the real stuff.
Spices:
seasoned salt...I like Johnny's or Lawry's brand.
italian seasoning-1 jar...most are great...I am partial to McCormick's.
chicken bouillon-1 jar
beef bouillon-1 jar
cinnamon-1 jar...korijante is best.
baking soda-5 lbs...cheaper to buy in bulk....see my cleaning recipes.
baking powder-1 can...look for one that doesn't have aluminum in it like the Rumford.
garlic powder-I buy this in bulk...NOT garlic salt.
powdered ginger-1 small jar...any brand (good for soothing an upset stomach)
hidden valley ranch dressing mix-1 bottle of dry mix...I buy it in bulk...Walmart used to carry it next to the packets...if yours doesn't...ask them to get it...this is much less expensive in the bottle. I've recently found this at Sam's Club.
nutmeg...I like grating whole nutmeg on a fine grater, ground is o.k. too.
chili powder...I actually like the 50 cent stuff in the red plastic bottle at Walmart. I grew up on Gebhart's, but they've changed the recipe and it isn't good anymore.
taco seasoning-1 jar...I buy this in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco.
Condiments, etc:
organic peanut butter...make sure the only ingredients are peanuts. If you prefer a peanut butter that doesn't need to be stirred, it will have peanuts and oil. NO sugar added! I buy organic, because its one of the few foods my picky little guy will eat. You don't have to get organic, but definitely get it without added sugar.
organic jam...you can make your own, or buy organic jams. Jelly is made with juice, and jam is made with the whole fruit. Again, you don't have to buy organic, but look for jam made with only fruit and fruit juice...not added sugar.
mayonnaise-1 large jar...NOT miracle whip...o.k., if you insist, get one of each. :)
mustard-1 bottle...any brand
ketchup-1 large bottle...Heinz or Hunts
salsa-1 large jar...any brand you like.
soy sauce-1 bottle...I like tamari, which is low salt soy sauce;
Worcestershire sauce-1 bottle...any national brand...stay away from generics.
italian dressing-1 bottle...any brand
Fresh/Perishable:
butter-4 lbs (I never use margarine)
eggs-2 dozen...organic...(farm eggs are best!)
milk-4 gallons...2%
bread-2 loaves...wheat made with honey and/or raisin juice...no corn syrup!
flour tortillas-1 dozen
corn tortillas-1 dozen
potatoes-10 lbs
celery-1 bunch
carrots-5 lbs...cheaper if you peel and cut up yourself
fresh garlic...buy a stainless steel garlic press...about $5 at Walmart.
onions-3lbs
cheese-5 lbs cheddar, 1 lb fresh parmesan or romano, & 5lbs mozzarella...this can be grated, mixed together, and stored in the freezer for pizzas or mexican food.
Misc:
rice-25 lbs...Calrose rice...medium grain, reheats very well.
25 lbs...Jasmine rice...medium-short grain, excellent flavor, reheats very well....good for Chinese or Greek recipes. If you've never tried it, start with a small bag...you'll love it!
beans-20 lbs...some pintos & some great northern or navy beans
split peas-3 lbs
small pasta...macaroni, or shells, or corkscrew
macaroni and cheese-8 boxes
peppermint tea-1 box...any brand (also good for soothing an upset stomach)
chow mein noodles-1 bag...any brand
saltine crackers-3 boxes...generic
Italian bread crumbs-1 can...generic
Disposable:
disposable foil pans-various sizes...good to take to potlucks, sick friends, funerals
paper towels
paper plates-bowls-utensils....I also keep plastic serving spoons to go with my foil pans to other places...If they're misplaced, I don't regret it! Look for serving spoons/spatulas at thrift stores too.
Kitchen gadgets will make cooking quicker, easier, and fun! Check in your mom's, aunt's, or grandma's kitchen, or yard sales and thrift stores for some of these items...then you've saved enough money to invest in the good quality, higher end items. If you're just starting out, I recommend that you invest in a hand mixer, and a food processor. This should cost less than $50 for both items. The processor grates cheese, thin slices potatoes & other veges, chops meat, blends soups and salsas, and cuts in pie crust (which I hate to do by hand!). The hand mixer is good for cake mixes, quick breads, & mashed potatoes.
My Kitchen Aid stand mixer mixes huge batches of bread & cookie dough, as well as other functions with extra attachments...like a pasta machine, meat grinder, etc.
3-cast iron skillets are great for frying, sauteing, and stove top to oven applications. I use cast iron exclusively for my saute pans.
A hand blender is good for blending milkshakes, & chunky soups and sauces right in the pan...and takes up less space than a regular blender. Other useful items include...
3-half sheet pans...I use these exclusively, instead of other kinds of cookie sheets. You can find them at any restaurant supply or Sam's Club for about $5 each.
2-Loaf pans
2-cake pans (9x13)
1-pie pan (9")
2 mixing bowls (with lids) I absolutely LOVE my Pampered Chef glass bowls with lids. I own 2 large and 1 small.
Good saucepans I only use stainless steel with a copper bottom encased in the stainless. They can go from the stove top to the oven too. I own one large, 2 medium, and one small size. These can be expensive, but shop around. Make sure you get the ones that have stainless steel handles, lids, and lid knobs so they can go into the oven. I've had mine for 18+ years and they still look nearly new.
3 rubber spatulas
2 turning spatulas
1 set of tongs...get stainless steel
1 whisk...get stainless steel...even the handle. Pampered Chef sells an excellent whisk.
2 stainless steel vege peelers. Pampered Chef sells all stainless steel and they are great.
1 good chef's knife
1 or 2 good paring knives
6 steak knives
1 knife sharpener....ask around, read the directions, and learn how to use it properly...and often.
2 small or medium plastic cutting boards (that can go in the dishwasher). People may say they harbor more bacteria than wood, but after going through my hot wash in the dishwasher...I don't think so. You can microwave these for about 30 seconds to kill bacteria, or scrub them with grapefruit seed extract.
NOTE: I reference Pampered Chef a lot in my gadgets section. Those specific items are fabulous...you probably don't need all their other stuff. I've been noticing a trend at the big stores lately...they're carrying better quality gadgets. Check the restaurant supply, Sam's Club, Costco, Target, Walmart, etc...for some of these items...especially the small stainless whisk, peeler, etc. Just make sure they're all stainless steel and good quality.
My stainless saucepan set came from Sears. Cast iron can come second hand, or Walmart and the other big stores carry it now, as well as Cabela's. Get one that's preseasoned...and learn how to take care of it! I still use a cast iron chicken fryer that was given to us by DH's grandma. They received it for a wedding present...its now over 75 years old and still cooking great!
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