Here is a list of the foods I usually have, or have the most often in my kitchen. This list is by no means exhaustive, nor do I think you need all or even most in your own pantry. I liked reading lists like this when I started cooking and this highlight many of my favorite foods.
- Rice: short grain brown, arborio, wild, red jasmine
- Hulled barley
- Millet
- White and/or red quinoa (pseudocereal)
- Fine bulgur
- Raw buckwheat groats (fruit seed but used as grain)
- Rolled oats, oat groats
- Popcorn
- Whole grain pasta
- Sprouted bread and/or tortillas
Flours:
- Unbleached all purpose flour
- Whole wheat pastry flour
- Spelt flour
- Kamut flour
- Oat flour
- Almond flour
- Brown rice flour
- Chickpea flour
Beans/Legumes:
- Red, green, french and/or brown lentils
- Frozen edamame
- Canned and dry beans (chickpeas, red kidney beans, black beans, white navy beans, black eyed peas, split peas)
- Firm organic tofu
- Silken tofu
- Frozen tempeh
Nuts & Seeds:
- Sesame seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Hulled hemp seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted coconut flakes
Dried fruit (no sulfites added… check the ingredients for only the fruit!):
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Dried plums
- Goji berries
- Medjool dates
- Figs
- Sundried tomatoes
Vinegars:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Umeboshi vinegar (I substitute brown rice vinegar with this)
Oils:
- Toasted sesame oil
- Virgin coconut oil
Sweeteners:
- Blackstrap molasses
- Pure maple syrup
- Coconut nectar
- Brown rice syrup
- Panela sugar
- Icing sugar
Milk & “Dairy”:
- Nut milk (I make my own most of the time)
- Soy milk
- Canned coconut milk
- Unsweetened non-dairy yogurt
Sauces & Seasonings:
- Hot sauce
- Tamari
- Mustard: yellow, dijon, old style (grainy), spicy – I LOVE mustard!!
- Miso (brown and white)
- Curry paste
- Wasabi paste
- BBQ sauce
- Salted herbs
Baking supplies:
- Vanilla beans, vanilla powder, vanilla extract
- Other extracts: almond, coconut, lemon, orange, maple, peppermint
- Chocolate: chocolate chips, raw cacao nibs, cocoa powder
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Active dry yeast
- Arrowroot powder
- Baking soda
- Baking powder (aluminium free)
- Brown rice cereal
Odds and Ends:
- Nutritional yeast
- Nut butters
- Tahini
- Vegetable broth (I make my own most of the time)
- Canned tomatoes
- Capers
- Seaweeds (dulse flakes, nori, arame, wakame)
- Tea
Spices:
- Allspice
- Basil
- Bay leafs
- Black pepper
- Cardamom, ground
- Cayenne chili powder
- Cinnamon (ground and sticks)
- Celery seeds
- Chili, whole
- Chili powder
- Cloves (whole and ground)
- Coriander seeds, ground
- Cumin
- Curry powders
- Dillweed
- Fennel seeds
- Fenugreek seeds
- Garam masala
- Garlic powder
- Ginger, ground
- Jalapeno pepper, crushed
- Marjoram
- Mustard seeds
- Nutmeg
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley flakes
- Red pepper, crushed
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Salt: fine sea salt, himalayan pink salt and fleur de sel
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- White pepper
Mary Beth Blackmon says
I’m going to prowl around your website and for now, have a quick question: Do you know of a substitute for miso? I’m very soy- and corn-allergic, as well as tomatoes, eggs, and on and on. Miso is called for SO often and I haven’t ever seen a footnote about subbing for it. Help! (and thank you)
Charlie Rioux says
Hi Mary,
Sorry I just saw your comment! I am also allergic to soy and chickpea miso is a great alternative. I was able to find it in a health food store. If you are in the US, check out South River Miso, they have lots of soy-free miso options that you can order!