20 Things the Beginning Cook Needs in the Cupboard (Plus One)

If you're anything like the typical American in the early 21st century, your kitchen could use some help. I know mine could: It's small, there's not enough counter space, and there certainly is not enough storage in my cupboards. And yet, there are ways to make even the worst kitchen work well enough to cook decent meals consistently.

A first step is having on hand the basic ingredients you need. These will vary depending on your preferences and how often you cook, as well as whether you decide to bake cookies or cake for dessert once in a while. But with a few basics in your cupboard, you'll be amazed at the variety of meals you can make quickly and easily.

For starters, some dry staples:
Pasta (choose the shapes you prefer) and rice
Salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices you like (I recommend basil, oregano, thyme, chili powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and parsley for starters)
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar

Now, add some liquid seasonings:
Olive oil (buy the highest quality you can afford of the type you prefer. If extra virgin is too strong for your taste, don't worry!)
Canola or vegetable oil
Balsamic vinegar (start with a small bottle; you'll be amazed at the uses you find for this!)
Soy sauce

Some vegetables that store well for long periods come in handy
Russet potatoes
Yellow or white onions
Fresh garlic (if you buy fresh, you can skip the garlic powder listed with the spices above)

Perishables in refrigerator that you will use often include:
Butter or margarine
Eggs
Lemon (or lemon juice
Cheese
Salsa
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Milk (If you're not a milk drinker, buy non-fat dried milk so you don't have to worry about spoilage)

And finally, stash a few cans in your cupboard:
Tomato sauce
Chicken stock

With these staples, all you need to add are some fresh items each week - meat, produce, dairy - for an amazing number of different, easy meals.

This list may seem a bit daunting, but remember two things. First, you don't have to buy everything at once, especially the spices. Buy what you need as you need it, but keep track of what you have so you don't buy it again! Second, this entire list can be bought for less than $100. If you can spare that amount of money to stock your kitchen all at once, go for it! Think of how quickly you would spend that cash eating out. The return on your $100 investment in terms of your time, your health, and your calorie count is well worth it.

For recipes and kitchen tips for the beginning home cook, visit Food for Beginners (http://www.foodforbeginners.wordpress.com/). Mary Thompson provides tips on setting up your kitchen, items to have on hand to make meal prep easy, and ideas for quick recipes you can make with a minimum of time and fuss.