To prepare healthy meals, you need a few pantry staples and a well-stocked refrigerator. In this first Cooking 101 lesson I share my essential pantry list—items I always keep on hand. Read on to learn about the online cooking class and practical tips for maintaining a functional pantry.
How to Sign Up:
If you’d like to join the cooking class challenge, join the Cooking 101: The Basics group on Facebook. There you can ask questions, share tips and recipe photos, and support others following the class.
Please Grab a Button:
If you’re following along, please take the class button and add it to your sidebar or include it in recipe posts you link up (link it to the homepage). I’d love for you to share the classes with family and friends.
How the Classes and Challenge Work:
Cooking 101: The Basics runs for 16 weeks with a new lesson posted on Wednesdays. Each post includes a recipe, tips for great results, and photos—like your personal online cooking school. Work at your own pace; when you make a recipe (or a variation), come back and add your link to the post so others can see your results. If you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to share photos in the Facebook group.
Questions? Email or leave a comment, or visit the Facebook group for the best support.
Grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
WEEK #1 – A WELL-STOCKED PANTRY
Success in the kitchen starts with having the right ingredients. I’m often busy and don’t have time to make extra trips to the store because I’m missing a spice or a basic stock. A well-stocked pantry saves time and makes cooking more enjoyable. Even with limited storage space, keeping a few core items on hand makes a big difference.
I’ve created a printable checklist to help you build a reliable pantry. The list includes everything I keep stocked (and more). Items I consider absolute essentials are marked with an asterisk (*).
What are your must-have pantry staples?
Leave a comment below or join the Facebook group so we can discuss favorites and tips. If you’re trying to save money at the store and learn how to feed a family on a budget, I’ve got helpful strategies to share.
Click the image to view full size or save and print your pantry checklist.
Download the printable checklist to set up your pantry today.
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SPONSOR
This week’s sponsor is Gourmet Gardens, which offers convenient herb and spice products for everyday cooking. I store these in the freezer and use as needed—no more buying fresh herbs that wilt after a few days. Properly stored, they last several months in the fridge and longer in the freezer.
