Spices are necessary for cooking, but they are also very expensive. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve gotten most of the basic ones from my local 99 Cent store. I also don’t buy them all at once. If I find a recipe I want to try, with a spice I don’t have, then I will buy it. And sometimes I enjoy splurging at Penzey’s every now and then. They have a great online store if you don’t have access to a physical one.
The good news is that spices pretty much last forever. So, here’s a list of the ones I currently have in my kitchen.
- Salt and Pepper (Of Course)
- Granulated Garlic
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne Pepper
- Ground Mustard
- Dried Basil Leaves
- Oregano
- Italian Seasoning
- Poultry Seasoning
- Cinnamon
What else is in my cupboard full time?
- Vanilla
- Vegetable Oil
- Olive Oil
- PAM or any generic cooking spray
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder (Yes, there is a difference)
- Honey
And how about my fridge?
I like variety. So, when you open my fridge on any given day you may find different things in there. However, there are quite a few items I never deviate from.
- Milk
- Butter (I have 2 at all times, one for cooking and one for toast)
- Eggs
- Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo (I don’t use this one too often)
- Anchor Bar Wing Sauce (It’s the best!)
- Lemon Juice
- Maple Syrup
- Salsa
- Worcestershire Sauce
Now that you have some standard ingredients you can pretty much throw anything together in a pinch. Bon Appetit!
