Kitchential - Essentials for every Kitchen

Whether you're a microwave cook or venturing into stove-top cooking, you need some basics. Here's a break-down of what I consider to be vital to any starter kitchen. Keep in mind, I cook Indian dishes as well, so some of my utensils and spices will reflect that.

Utensils

• 1 small pressure cooker
• 1 small, non-stick frying pan
• 1 deep pot (preferably non-stick)
• 1 small pot (preferably non-stick)
• 1 large frying pan (preferably non-stick)
• 1 collander
• 1 can opener
• 1 or 2 chopping boards
• 1 serrated knife
• 1 large knife
• 1 paring knife
• 1 flat grater
• Assorted stirring spoons, ladels, etc. (preferably wooden or steel as plastic tends to melt, warp and break down more quickly and easily)
• 2 baking dishes (glass or otherwise), one small and one medium-large

Spices & Sauces

• Salt
• Tumeric (haldi)
• Red Chili Powder (laal mirch)
• Cumin - whole (whole jeera)
• Cumin - powder (jeera powder)
• Fenugreek - powder (methi powder)
• Chaat masala (Shaan or MTR)
• Garam masala (Shaan or MTR)
• Meat & Vegetable Curry powder (Shaan or MTR)
• Biryani masala (Shaan or MTR)
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Soy Sauce
• Hot Sauce (Tobasco and Sriracha)
• Indian Pickle (achaar)
• Italian seasoning blend
• Taco/Fajita seasoning blend
• Pantry Staples
• Mayo
• Nutella
• Ramen (chicken is versatile, but go with what you like)
• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Mac n Cheese
• Sphagetti
• Canned tomato sauce
• Canned soups (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, tomato)
• Baked beans
• Heat & Eat Indian dishes
• Canned water chestnuts
• Canned mushroom

Fridge & Freezer Musts

• Chicken Nuggets
• Chicken strips (pre-grilled and frozen)
• Mixed frozen vegetables
• Frozen Cheese - parmesan, pizza blend, Mexican blend
• American cheese slices
• Hot Dogs
• Yogurt
• Onion
• Tomato
• Garlic
• Ginger (freezes really well for long term use/storage)
• Ketchup

I also like to keep Green Peppers and Celery on hand. These two, along with onion, are commonly considered the “holy trinity” of Cajun/Creole cooking. The three ingredients work well both in a combination and independently and have great nutritional value. Recent research is exploring the possibility that green peppers and celery might help in avoiding diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Plus celery is a “negative calories” food – you use more calories digesting celery than it already has in it. Sweet!