Experimenting in the Kitchen

Those of you who know me can attest to the fact that I've never been much of a cook or home-maker.  The latter is something that I, frankly, won't care about until I have someone to share my home with.  However, the former is something I'd like to get better at.  On the other hand, I'm an awesome baker!  Which happens to be a byproduct of having a sweet tooth.  But actual healthy food has been limited to chicken casseroles and scrambled eggs.

Lucky for me, I have recently bought a couple AWESOME books full of recipes that serve one person!  I especially recommend "Serves One" by Toni Lydecker.  Most of the recipes serve 1-2 people and are designed to be prepared in under 30 minutes.  Its perfect for those of us that live on our own.

(Side note.... Its raining outside!  It NEVER rains in Arizona!)

With this newly formed goal in mind, I have combined the kitchen essentials from all of the books I've purchased and my own limited experience and come up with a list of things that I think would be helpful to have laying around the kitchen for my cooking pleasure.  I have X'ed the things that I already have in my kitchen.  As you can see, I've got a long ways to go.  Feel free to use it as you see fit.  Or even suggest things you couldn't live without in your kitchen!  (Keep in mind, these should be things that keep well.)

I look forward to sharing my kitchen adventures with you in the future.

Asian seasonings

    Miso

X Soy sauce

    Teriyaki sauce

    Instant hon dashi

Condiments

X Mayonnaise

X Dijon

    Mango chutney

X Salsa

Fruits

X Lemon/Lime

   Cranberries, raisins (dried)

X Seasonal

Grains

X Rice (2 varieties)

    Couscous

X Oatmeal

X Cornmeal

Herbs and Spices

    Dried Oregano

X Parsley

    Thyme

X Rosemary

X Sage

   Italian Seasoning

X Basil, dill (fresh if possible)

X Salt (sea)

X Black peppercorns

    Bay leaves

X Cinnamon

    Cumin

    Ground and crushed red pepper

    Sesame seeds

X Seasoning blends

Hot Stuff

    Dried chiles

    Asian chili paste

X Tabasco sauce

   Ginger root (frozen)

Misc.

    Anchovies (canned in olive oil)

X Bacon

    Beans and legumes

X Mushrooms (fresh or dried and frozen)

    Pine nuts, Almonds, Cashews

X Onion family

X Pasta (one long, one short)

X Potatoes (red-skinned, Yukon)

X Olive oil

X Veggie oil

    Balsamic Vinegar

    Toasted sesame oil

X Tuna

X Salad Makings

X Corn (frozen)

X Honey

X Chocolate Syrup

X Breads

X Cheese (Parmigiano-reggiano and 2 other types)

X Eggs