My Pantry

I usually head to the grocery store a few times a week: once to get the majority or items I need for the entire week and another two or so times to get fresh fruits or vegetables etc. I like to have a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand so I can get creative when cooking dinner. I also like to cook with a lot of seasonal produce - not only is it fresh and flavorful, but inexpensive.

Protein (meat, poultry, seafood):

• chicken breasts or whole chicken (roasting, stock)
• ground sirloin
• seafood blend (TJs), frozen
• fish (fresh or frozen)
• pork chops
• sliced lunch meats (oven roasted turkey, chicken or smoked ham)

Vegetables:

• onion (yellow and red)
• garlic
• mushrooms
• carrots
• celery
• broccoli
• zucchini
• cabbage 
• brussels sprouts
• fennel
• green beans
• peas (frozen)

Vegetables - canned:

• tomatoes, canned (Muir Glen Fire-Roasted, whole, chopped)
• plain tomato (Marinara) sauce
• tomato paste (I prefer to buy it in a tube. Once you open a can you will have to use it quickly and I seldomly need that much.)
• beans

Fruit:
I always have at least 3 different kinds of fruit in hand (not including bananas - they are a staple)

• lemons (for zest)
• berries (blueberries, strawberries, ...)
• bananas
• kiwi
• pears
• grapes (red)
• apples
• oranges
• peaches, nectarines, plums
• etc...

Seasonings, Herbs and Spices:

• kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
• black pepper (mill)
• bay leaf
• thyme, fresh and dried
• parsley, fresh
• paprika
• Cajun spice blend
• file powder
• herbs de Province
• cinnamon, sticks and ground
• nutmeg

Dairy, Cheese & Eggs:

• eggs, large - scrambled, frittata, custard, past dough
• milk (2%)
• heavy cream - pan sauces, custard, whipping cream
• Parmesan - sauces, garnish, pizza, pesto
• Jack, cheddar cheese - melted cheese sandwiches
• mozzarella
• crumbly cheese - feta, goat, blue cheese, etc.

Pasta, Grains, Flour:

• Del Cecco pasta (spaghetti, linguine, etc.) - it's the best brand!
• rice (white, brown)
• AP flour - baked goods, pasta
• semolina - pasta dough, pizza dough
• corn starch - to thicken sauces
• sliced whole wheat bread
• Panko breadcrumbs

Other:

• chicken stock - frozen in 1 cup containers, home made, pan sauces, soups
• capers
• artichokes, marinated
• Dijon mustard
• mayonnaise
• Caesar salad dressing
• olives
• tomato paste
• nuts (sliced almonds, pine nuts, etc.) - garnish, pesto
• sugar (white, brown)
• honey