- Salt and Pepper: Choose freshly ground pepper. Store it in a grinder so you can get the punch of pepper at the last-possible minute.
- Oil: Have both cooking oils and finishing oils on hand.
- Acids: I always have a red wine and a white wine vinegar on my shelves.
- Grains: I keep dried whole grains on hand, like buckwheat and barley, and I love quinoa.
- Canned Beans: These can be used all sorts of ways and are inexpensive.
- Pickled Vegetables: I love pickly brightening things, so I always keep cornichons, dill spears and capers in my kitchen.
- Onions and Garlic: Have either of these, or both, stocked—they're the aromatics that are the backbone of so many dishes.
- Good Pieces: Look for good ingredients, like really high-quality canned tuna. They can make a big difference in the flavor of your finished recipes.
