Dear Home Ec 101:
My son will be moving into an apartment and setting up a kitchen for the first time. I’m pretty confident about what kind of hardware (pots, pans, plates, etc) to buy, but what would be a good basic list of staples (salt, pepper, sugar, cannola oil) to set him up with.
Thanks so much!
~Not Mother Hubbard
Heather says:
Setting up a pantry while not rocket science is very dependent upon personal tastes and habits. The lists below are by no means all inclusive. If your son’s diet leans toward one ethnic cuisine or another (ie curry powder, garam marsala for Indian foods) be sure to include the common seasonings or ingredients.
Basic Pantry Staples:
- cooking spray, vegetable oil, olive oil
- brown and white sugar
- flour
- baking powder & soda
- pasta
- rice
- canned tomatoes: diced, pureed, sauce, and paste
- canned beans
- rolled oats
- vinegar
- peanut butter
- corn starch
- cocoa powder
Make sure the flour and sugar are stored in air tight containers. Young adults are not always the best about observing “use by dates.” On the lid of the baking powder clearly write the expiration date, so he’s not left feeling flat.
Basic Spice Rack:
- black pepper
- basil
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- oregano
- thyme
- chili powder
- cumin
- cinnamon
- Italian seasoning
If he likes to broil or grill meats, consider adding some premixed rubs for variety.
Stocking the fridge:
- ketchup
- mustard
- mayonnaise or miracle whip
- salad dressing
- jams or jellies
- butter
- shortening for baking (alternately processed -flavorless- coconut oil is shelf stable and a great substitute)
- cheese
- Better than Bouillon
A three ring binder with recipes for his favorite meals would be a nice touch. You certainly don’t have to be fancy, but page protectors are always helpful. Don’t worry that he won’t come home for those meals if he can make them himself. No matter how well you transcribe the recipe, it’ll never be just the way “mom used to make.”
