3 . Flour
Flour is pretty self-explanatory . You should always have all-purpose flour on hand . Self-rising flour and specialty flours , such as coconut , sorghum , buckwheat , and gluten-free flours all depend on what recipes call for , and your dietary needs . Be sure to check labels before purchasing a specialty flour , as you ’ ll want to know exactly what ingredients are inside . Also , do not keep regular flour on hand if you ’ re on a special diet , as these flours can sometimes be confused with the specialty brands , and will make sensitive diets react .
4 . Salt & Pepper
If you don ’ t have salt and pepper in your house right now , there ’ s probably a reason why . Otherwise , all of us have these two basic spices on hand . Make sure you check your stock of each , and refill when necessary . Other basic spices are good to have on hand as well , such as garlic powder , seasoning salt , dry rubs , and chili powder . Opt for fresh herbs over dried herbs when available , but herb grinders are good to have in the pantry , too .
5 . Garlic
There ’ s nothing better than the smell of fresh garlic . Always have a couple of bulbs on hand for recipes that may call for fresh cloves , rather than dried alternatives . Garlic can be used in virtually every recipe as an enhancer , depending on your taste buds . Peeling the garlic is always a pain , so if you buy bulbs in bulk , take an hour or so out and pre-peel all of the cloves , and store them in an airtight container to preserve the potency . If you ’ re absolutely opposed to peeling fresh garlic , and always used dried garlic to avoid the sticky mess , then you can purchase pre-peeled cloves in the grocery store . This is especially convenient for those rushed weeknight meals .
6 . Fresh Citrus
We ’ re talking lemons , oranges , and limes . Citrus can make a world of difference in dressings and marinades , so having a few on hand is always a good thing . Fresh lemons over bottled lemon juice are preferred , so make sure you have a couple in your fridge . They keep well , and you can use the zest , as well as the juices , to add a little zing to all of your recipes .
50 l Spring 2017