Stocking the Pantry for Quick, Healthy Meals

Nothing supports simple dinners like a well-stocked pantry. Simple means easy, peaceful, trouble-free! NOT "Damn it! No olive oil! Arrrgh! One lousy can of cranberry sauce from two years ago - what can I make with that???"

It's helpful to expand the definition here- by "pantry" I mean not only the place where you store your dry goods, but the freezer and refrigerator as well. And, to help you out, I'm offering a list! This may not be the ultimate list in the world, but these are things I like to keep on hand, and maybe it will give you a starting point. 

Once you've got your pantry stocked, it's easy to shop for fresh foods every few days - or once a week. Find your local farmer's market to get the best, peak season selections. 

Before launching into the list, a reminder: it's all about QUALITY! You are what you eat! Find places that have high quality goods for the best price - stores that sell in bulk, or online sources if you don't have good stores nearby. Buy organic as much as possible, to be assured of purity. And, don't forget to read the labels. Avoid artificial preservatives, colorings, fillers, anything you can't pronounce.

Brands I like: Spectrum Organic (oils, mayo), Arrowhead Mills (organic flour, grain, meal, peanut butter), Eden Organic (beans, noodles, etc), Bubbies (pickles, sauerkraut), Kalona Organics (dairy products), Muir Glen (tomatoes, salsa, ketchup...), Mary's Gone Crackers (gluten free crackers), Braggs (cider vinegar, liquid aminos)......the list goes on.  

Seek out LOCAL producers who create products with integrity and artistry - local honey, jams jellies & preserves, breads, hand-crafted cheese, charcuterie - these items are always worth the little bit extra you pay. Your dollars support your local economy, and the goods generally pack a flavor punch like nothing else.

Make your own inventory list, post it in the kitchen and mark things as you run out. Then use it as a shopping list. 

Grains/Pasta

Whole wheat pasta-variety of shapes (I like Bionaturae; hard to find sometimes, but it's organic and the texture is superb)
Rice noodles
Buckwheat Soba
Brown Basmati rice - Lundberg is the best, imo
Short grain brown rice
Cous Cous, whole wheat
Barley
Corn meal - grits, polenta, regular corn meal
Rolled Oats

Nuts/Seeds/Nut Butters

Almond Butter
Hazelnut Paste
Tahini
Peanut Butter (make sure it's pure - no added sweeteners or oils)
Hemp seed Butter
Sunflower Seeds (raw)
Almonds (raw)
Cashews (raw)
Pumpkin seeds (raw)
Walnuts
Pecans
Golden Flax Seeds
Sesame Seeds
(I keep all nuts & seeds in the freezer and refrigerate nut butters, as oils can perish rapidly)

Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (unfiltered)
Champagne Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Fruit Vinegar - Raspberry, Pear, Fig
Rice Vinegar

Oil/Fat

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Sesame Oil - Toasted and Untoasted
Walnut Oil
Almond Oil
Sunflower Oil
Peanut Oil
Butter
Ghee
Mayo and/or
Vegenaise

Dried Fruit/Veges

Jumbo Flame Raisins
Dried Cranberries
Dried Cherries
Dried Blueberries
Dried Mushrooms
Sun Dried Tomatoes 

Condiments

Dijon Mustard
Horseradish
Ketchup
Kalamata Olives
Spanish Olives
Tabasco
Sriracha
Soy Sauce/Tamari
Miso paste
Jams & Jellies 
Honey (raw, local)
Capers
Sundried tomatoes in oil
Pesto (homemade is best, kept in the freezer)
Pickles - sweet, sour, dill, kraut

Herbs & Spices

Sea Salt - make sure they haven't added anti-caking agents; I like La Baleine
Peppercorns - black, pink, white, green
Chili Powder
Cumin
Cayenne
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Dill Weed
Fennel Seed
Cinnamon
Cloves
Nutmeg
....there are so many! This is just a start.

Canned Food
Beans - Eden Organic: Pinto, Black, Garbanzo, Kidney, Navy, Cannelini, Lentils, Refried
Broth - Pacific (this is actually in aseptic packaging)
Tomatoes - home canned is best, but otherwise, I use Muir Glen. Everybody has their favorite
Coconut milk
Curry paste
Artichoke Hearts (in water)
Green Chiles
Roasted Red Bell Peppers
Tapenade
Salsa
Pineapple

Freezer

Corn Tortillas
Flour Tortillas
Bread - homemade or purchased
Muffins - homemade or purchased
Soups - homemade
Broth - homemade
Seasonal fruit
Casserole - freeze the leftovers
Chopped onions
Chopped bell peppers
Fruit puree (for smoothies)
Sliced bananas (for smoothies)
Hemp protein powder
A container for vege scraps, for soup & broth

A container for old bread, for bread crumbs and croutons