checklist

the bare necessities...
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)