What ingredient can't you do without?

wssla00

Flour, sugar, vanilla essence, salt, pepper, butter, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, cream, eggs, milk, cheese, onions, pasta are mine. This is a pretty good list though http://www.rachelallen.co.uk/kitchen.html

angelicmary85

Thanks for your replies!

So I guess it was all just the stuff I thought I might have to have.

So far, I've only got thyme (love the smell!) mixed herbs, tomato puree, flour and 3 different kinds of stock cubes.

I can cook, but can't bake (I've never been able to get it right!)
I'd really like to be able to make cakes but my oven doesn't work so will have to get that stuff when I can afford a new cooker!

Butterfly - you keep alot of stuff in your cupboards. Have you got a big old fashioned pantry?! I've always fancied having one of those!

tandraig

jeez - my basics cupboard is bare compared to some of you!
I have
Plain flour - and a tub of baking powder to turn it into SR if need be.
stock cubes - chicken beef lamb and bovril (the bovril is because it makes a nice drink)
atora suet
cornflour (a small packet as i dont use much but its invaluable if gravies or sauces dont thicken)
herbs - mixed, sage and oregano covers most recipes for me - I grow basil
jar of mint - for some reason I cant grow it - yet most gardeners complain its like a weed!
soy sauce
brown sauce
ketchup
mustard - ready made - which no-one likes but are unaware i add it to cheese sauce - it intensifies the flavour which means i use less cheese!
gravy browning
salt (sea or rock)
black peppercorns to fill my grinder
spices are
ginger
cinnamon
cloves (which i keep in to make pomanders or for toothache, a clove placed near the pain will help numb the area)
sesame oil - for including in stir frys
olive oil
sunflower oil ( which doubles as make up remover - really stubborn mascara gets the olive oil)
oh and either the last two oils get used as exfoliators along with either sea salt or sugar - not fussy which!
this is my essentials cupboard and i find them invaluable! along with some fresh meat or veg or both - i can always rustle up a meal.

angelicmary85

tandraig your list is alot better than mine!

Where do you all find the time to batch cook? I find that my day is consumed by the kids, how do you fit in making helps meals in advance?!

Tealady_2

My can't do without are Italian seasoning, stock cubes and black pepper. These can pep up most dishes.

zippychick

Don't know if I want to start typing a list but arg, now I have to!

Baking cupboard

Flour - SR, Soda bread, Plain, Strong White bread, Granary, coarse wholemeal and cornflour.
Also - baking powder, bicarb , cocoa, rice pudding, icing sugar, brown sugar, white sugar, tin of pineapples (?), dried yeast,dessicated coconut, oats, jam sugar,

Cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, couple of food colourings and vanilla extract . Vitamin c and skimmed milk powder , chocolate chips and sprinkles . ALso have glycerine although not sure why :rotfl:And some old packs of jelly

Storecupboard -

Tins - Baked beans, butterbeans, kidney beans, chickpeas - although bought dry to try , tuna, corned beef, tinned tomatoes

Dry - lentils, soup mix, couscous, white rice, brown rice

Herbs - cumin, coriander,mixed herbs, paprika,chilli,chilli flakes, thyme, cumin seeds, dried garlic an old flat mate left, tomato puree, garlic puree , lazy ginger, 3 types of mustard, garam masala, chicken and beef stock cubes . Gravy browning , Black pepper.

The stuff in bold I never let run out and are my must haves as is lemon juice which doesn't fit a category

I have to stop typing as it's making me want to go look as I know I Have loads more herbs I have forgotten :rotfl:

Oils - veg, sunflower, olive oil and spray oil from my old slimimng world days

Box of nuts - walnut, brazil, cashew, dried cranberries and apricot, dates, figs, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, bran ...