What is essential in your kitchen?
Although there's a wide range of life situations and financial levels among Kossacks, for today's purposes we shall assume that most everyone here has a kitchen and sufficient income to stock it with the basics. We are at a time of history in which almost anything in the realm of food and condiments is available at a local market. I understand the concept of food deserts in which all that is available is 7-11 type food but for today's musings I will downplay those areas.
A well-stocked kitchen and pantry today can have a selection of food and condiments that would dazzle a Roman Emperor. My question for the present, however, is "What are the ten items that are essential for your kitchen?". That is, things which, if you ran out, you would have to re-stock as soon as possible. My assumption is that everyone has salt and pepper but that's as far as I dare go with assumptions.
I will list my 10 or 11 essentials in order of urgency for me. It would be interesting to see how close my list compares with others.
Upon reflection, I realize that there are those who eat almost all their meals out or are in a situation where all meals are prepared but this still might be of interest in case of a change in circumstance.
First is cat food. I've seen folks late at night in grocery stores filling their basket with cat food and sheepishly explaining "Well, I had to."
Next is peanut butter. Although it's quite good on bread, it's almost as good scarfing it down with a spoon, plus it's good any time all day (and night).
Bread. We keep a few loaves in the freezer and re-stock if we're down to one.
Mayonnaise. I use it in such quantity that I keep Costco gallons in the pantry.
Catsup. You can make anything taste good if you have catsup.
Onions. I seldom cook anything without sautéing some onions first. I use a lot of raw
onions, too. This is why i grow them in such quantity.
Butter. This is number one for Mrs. side pocket. Or some kind of cooking oil like olive.
Potatoes. You can live on potatoes. We have them sometimes twice a day. I grow these
as well as the onions but at the end of the season I make sure I have both.
Sour cream. This is more Mrs. side pocket's thing, but I make very sure we don't run out.
Last on my list is cashews. Costco is the number one seller of cashews and that's due
in large part to the side pocket's phenomenal usage.
So let us know what's in your kitchen for sure, or anything else on your mind. I'll leave you with this song about kitchens and kitchen essentials. Weirdest song ever.
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate.
Finally, readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.