I found I have certain staple foods in my kitchen made all the difference in the world when it came time to cook dinner. By keeping my kitchen staples on hand it seems no matter what I want to cook I can usually make it work and I no longer have to ask what’s for dinner. The following is what I keep on hand and I make a list when I run out and immediately replace it.
Produce
Salad stuff, fresh veggies, potatoes, fresh fruits & plenty of onions.
Shelf Items
Breadcrumbs, broths, soups, cornmeal, croutons, dry pasta, dry potato flakes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced and stewed tomatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, minced garlic, mushrooms, corn, green beans, mustard, olive oil, olives, rice, pasta sauces, salad dressing, salsa, shrimp, tuna, salmon, stuffing mix, sun-dried tomatoes, green chilies, tortillas, taco seasoning, dried herbs such as basil etc.
Meat, Poultry, Fish & Seafood
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, whole chickens, pork chops, fish fillets, ground beef, sausage, shrimp and ribs.
Dairy
Butter, refrigerated biscuit dough, eggs, cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, milk, cheese of all kinds and sour cream.
Frozen foods
Breaded chicken strips or nuggets, filled pasta products, meatballs, potatoes, all kinds of veggies and veggie and meat combinations.
Bakery
Loaf of sliced bread, garlic bread, pita bread, dinner rolls and pizza crust.