Here are a few essential tools than can help make any kitchen cook-worthy:
                        pots and pans                                                          

                                                                                                   utensils. etc.

8 inch chef's knife fine mesh sieve sharpening steel large colander tongs rubber spatula

mixing bowls vegetable peeler slotted spoon blender wooden spoon meat thermometer

microplane grater measuring spoons wire whisk measuring cups wooden cutting board plastic cutting board

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as a seasoned cook, here are a few additional tools that I love to have around.  They make my cooking life a bit easier but are not absolute essentials.

                                                 useful extras

rice cooker food processor vita-mix muffin tins

pressure cooker crock pot dutch oven cast-iron grill pan

The above lists are quite small, but mighty.  If you have these few tools, you are ready for anything.  The key is quality, as it is with food.  For instance, it is well worth it to spend a bit on one incredible chef's knife.  With proper care, a good knife will last a lifetime and can to any job necessary in the kitchen.

Basics Garlic Onions Sweet Potatoes Nuts Raisins Dried Cranberries Dried Cherries Dates Canned Tomatoes Canned Beans Canned Tuna (low mercury) Jar Roasted Red Pepper

Grains:    Brown rice    Steel Cut Oats    Quinoa    Millet    Bulgar Wheat               Kasha    Farro    Amaranth    Wheat berries    Black Rice Pasta Granola / Cereals

Oils / Condiments etc. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Vegetable / Chicken Stock Sesame Oil Red Wine Vinegar Rice Wine Vinegar Ume Plum Vinegar Soy Sauce (low soduim) Raw Agave nectar Fruit Jams (no added sugar)

                        In the Fridge                                                                                                    Spice Rack                                                                                                             

Vegetables (Organic) Fresh Fruits (Organic) Lemons / Limes Flax Seed Oil Dijon Mustard Barbecue Sauce Ketchup Miso Paste Worcestershire Sauce Fresh Ginger

Nut Butters Peanut Butter Yogurt (organic, plain) Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Almond Milk , Soy, or Rice Milk

I

Sea Salt     Oregano     Bay Leaves Black Pepper     Basil     Paprika Smoked Paprika     Curry Powder   Chili Powder     Ginger     Coriander Thyme     Nutmeg     Garlic Powder Cumin     Cayenne Pepper    Turmeric Crushed Red Pepper     Mustard Powder

Ingredient Information / Tips, etc

Vegetable and / or Chicken stock    preferably organic / low sodium
Nuts my three essential types are almonds, walnuts and pine nuts with no salt or presevatives
Raisins without the preservatives  / sulfates or sugar added
Dried Cranberries  without the preservatives  / sulfates or sugar added
Dates without the preservatives  / sulfates or sugar added
Grains this is a huge category for me. I love having a large variety of ORGANIC whole grains always on hand. One or two to start is perfectly fine though.  
            Brown Rice , Quinoa, Farro,Millet, Bulgar Wheat , Kasha, Amaranth, Wheat berries, Black rice, Steel Cut Oats
Pasta for optimal health  avoid white pasta in favor of whole wheat pasta, rice pasta, spelt pasta or quinoa pasta
Cold Cereals/ Granola  (read the label), if sugar or another sweetener is listed among the first 5 ingredients, try a different brand
Garlic
Onions
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sesame Oil
Red Wine Vinegar
Rice Wine Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Ume Plum Vinegar
Soy Sauce  low sodium. I love Braggs amino acid soy sauce
Canned Tomatoes keep a variety on hand, crushed, whole, fire-roasted
Canned Beans  a variety is essential: garbanzo, kidney, black beans,azuki beans, white beans
Dijon Mustard
Canned Tuna  (low mercury)
Jar Roasted Red Pepper  for when I dont have time to roast my own
Raw Agave Nectar  this is my all time favorite sweetener, read our article about sugar and artificial sweeteners
Fruit Jams preferably with no added sugar
Sea Salt
Oregano
Bay Leaves
Cumin
Cayenne Pepper
Cinnamon                                                                                                                   ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^
Turmeric                                                                                                                         Return to Top
Coriander
Mustard Powder
Nutmeg  I prefer using whole nutmeg and just grating with my micro plane.  It stays fresh a lot longer and the flavor is better than pre-ground
Spanish Smoked Paprika  one of my all time favorite ingredients
Black Pepper
Basil  fresh and organic for some recipes. Otherwise dried is okay
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Paprika
Crushed Red Pepper
GInger
Cardamom
Thyme
Lemons / Limes (organic) adding citrus zest to almost any dish adds a beautiful, bright flavor
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ( organic if available) read Organic article
Fresh Ginger
Flax seed oil  I love the cinnamon flavored
Mustards  Dijon, whole grain
Barbecue Sauce no high fructose corn syrup
Ketchup no high fructose corn syrup
Miso Paste  for a quick miso soup Or add to sauces and marinades for depth of flavor
Worcestershire Sauce
Nut Butters tahini butter, almond butter, or peanut butter.  No hydrogenated oils
Yogurt  Organic Plain  (no sugar added)
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Almond Milk, Soy Milk or Rice Milk   or organic cow's milk
Frozen Fruit  (Organic), use when fresh organic fruit is out of season                                    ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^
Frozen Veggies (organic) use when fresh organic veggies are out of season                           Return to Top