Payson Roundup

Spaghetti is a necessary staple for every pantry.

Stock up on the basics for easy home-cooked meals and then make your meat and poultry purchases based on what is on sale.

The bare minimum

If you don’t have these staples, you won’t be able to cook: salt, pepper, olive oil, vegetable oil, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar.

Canned goods

Low-sodium chicken broth and beef broth are recommended if you make gravies, sauces, and dishes in which the liquid is cooked down, or “reduced.” The salty flavor becomes more concentrated and pronounced. Low-sodium products allow you to control the seasoning.

Chicken Broth

Beef Broth

Canned tomatoes

Tomato sauce

Tomato paste

Can/jar of marinara sauce

Canned beans: white, black, kidney

Tuna

Starches and dry goods

Does your family eat a lot of pasta? Do you prepare stir-fries and other Asian dishes? Stock up on what you like to eat.

Spaghetti

Linguine

Corkscrew pasta

Penne or other short pasta

Egg noodles

Long-grain white rice

Jasmine or basmati rice

Lentils

Split peas

Dried bread crumbs

The “root cellar”

Potatoes

Onions

Garlic

Onions and potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area — don’t keep them in plastic bags or in the refrigerator.

Condiments

Distilled white vinegar

Balsamic vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Soy sauce

Worcestershire sauce

Salsa

Hot sauce

The spice rack

Dried basil

Bay leaves

Cayenne

Chili powder

Cumin

Cinnamon

Garlic powder

Oregano

Paprika

The almost-bare fridge

Eggs

Milk

Butter or margarine

Ketchup

Mustard

Mayonnaise

Parmesan cheese

Other cheese

The freezer

Frozen corn

Frozen spinach

Frozen peas

Ground beef

Chicken breasts

Extras

Flavors and ingredients that keep well and are nice to have on hand.

Herbs and spices: allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, dill, marjoram, dry mustard, Italian seasoning, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme.

Lemons

Fresh ginger

Shallots

Olives

Capers

Canned chiles

Tortillas

Couscous

Fish sauce

Rice noodles

Coconut milk

Prepared horseradish

Anchovy paste

Parmesan cheese

Dry sherry

Almond extract

Kosher salt

Cooking spray