Believe it or not, all my preparation is usually confined to a 2-foot x 3-foot countertop. The rest of the counter space has pans that I have taken out of the oven, when I am using it, or foods that I leave out as a visual reminder to cook at some point (soon!) It is good to be prepared, and have stuff on-hand to make "something out of nothing", so these are a few things one should always have around.
... fridge | ... freezer |
• A lot of green leafy vegetables | • Bread (GF or wheat) |
• Carrots | • Dumplings |
• Celery | • Fruits (Berries, Mango, Peaches) |
• Onions | • Gluten-free flours |
• Berries | • Pesto cubes |
• Lemons | • Purees for baby |
• Eggs | • Vegetables (Peas, Corn, Edamame) |
• Butter or vegan shortening | • Compost collection bag |
• Milk (of choice) | |
• Ketchup | ... appliances |
• Maple syrup | • Food processor |
• Mayonnaise (look for an olive oil one!) | • Handheld electric beater |
• Siracha | • Immersion blender |
• Tamari | • Juicer |
• Water (in case of emergency) | • Rice cooker |
... pantry | ... tools |
• Asian rice noodles | • Good knives (small, large) |
• Grains (Millet, Quinoa) | • Kitchen scissors |
• Pasta (whole grain or rice) | • Timer |
• Rice (white, brown, wild...) | • Chopping board |
• Dried beans, lentils | • Saucepans (2-qt & 6-qt) w/lids |
• Tomato sauce (jars or boxed) | • Frying pans with lids |
• Olive oil for cooking | • Wooden chopsticks or tongs |
• Extra virgin olive oil for dressings | • Kettle |
• Vinegar (rice, red wine, balsamic) | |
• Salt & Pepper | • Measuring cup |
• Spices & dried herbs | • Measuring spoons |
• Baking soda & baking powder | • 2-3 mixing bowls (various sizes) |
• Yeast | • Roasting tin |
• Whole grain or GF flour | • 2 large baking trays |
• Honey | • Cooling rack |
• Good-quality vanilla extract | • Oven mitts |
• Sugar (brown or organic cane) | • Tea towels |
• Dried fruit | |
• Nuts | • Reusable containers for lunches and snacks |
• Oatmeal | • 1-gallon Ziploc bags |
• Crackers | • Tins for storing bread, crackers, cookies... |
• Heavy-duty Foil | |
• Plenty of fresh fruit | • Plastic wrap (clingfilm) |
• Garlic | • Parchment paper |
• Tomatoes | • Rubber gloves (for washing up) |