Pantry Stockers

So I've been putting together a list of my "pantry stocker" must-haves for a newly married friend of mine, so I thought I would share! And after making my list, I see that I need to buy stock in McCormick's if it is publicly traded. Anyway, this is SUCH a basic list, but it's what I've got for now. I don't want to put anything like 'salt and pepper", I'm just trying to put things on here that I use ALL THE TIME, but you might not have.

Herbs and Spices

• Cumin
• Onion powder
• Minced onion - This is great to have on hand when you don't need to chop a whole onion, and just need like a tablespoon)
  
• Garlic powder
• Basil - If you find that you use this a lot, I actually have started using the kind you can buy in a tube in the produce section, it tastes WAY better, fresher, and still keeps for like two months
  
• Oregano
• Dill Weed - Steam some baby carrots, add a little butter and sprinkle a few tbs of this and you have yourself an EXCELLENT side dish. Same thing with coating a piece of salmon and grilling, or just grilling the salmon and mixing the dill weed with either plain yogurt or ranch dressing for a great sauce for the fish.
  
• Rosemary - toss some new/red potatoes (or potato wedges) in olive oil and rosemary and roast and you've got an excellent side dish.
  
• Thyme
• Cinnamon
• Curry Powder
• Chili Powder
• Red pepper
• Vanilla extract
  

Seasoning Mixes

• Italian Seasoning
• Old Bay Seasoning
  
• Cajun seasoning (Like Tony Chachare's, Emeril's, whatever you like)
• Jamaican Jerk seasoning (again, take your pick, I'm partial to McCormick's Caribbean Jerk)
  
• Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb - I probably use this most for steamed veggies, but I really use it for just about anything from eggs to lasagna or canned spaghetti sauce. It is a great addition to something I'm trying to boost the flavor a little more.
  
• McCormick Montreal Steak and Montreal Chicken - best every on steaks, chicken and even fish. Just sprinkle it on and pat it in. I even put a little in vegetables from time to time.
• Spike Seasoning - Much like I use Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb for anything and everything, Spike is another go-to for different flavors. This is an everything but the kitchen sink seasoning. It has a million ingredients, and is just good to add to just about anything. I add it to my eggs when making our daily omelets, I add it to casseroles and steamed veggies for an extra flavor boost. It's a good all-purpose seasoning.
  

Misc.

• Bacon bits/pieces - the real stuff, not the imitation. These are so good at adding flavor to so many things. I use in omelets, salads, and lots of recipes.
  
• Reduced sodium chicken broth - I always keep this on hand for ANYTHING savory
• Chicken bullion granules - Comes in a jar, you just add what you need to water. Takes up less room and if you just need a little sometimes it isn't worth opening chicken broth. The only difference is that this has a good bit of salt in it compared to the broth, so just adjust your additional salt accordingly
• Balsamic vinegar
• Red Wine Vinegar
  
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Olive oil cooking spray
  
• Corn starch (great for thickening sauces into gravy, etc)
• Soy Sauce
• Ranch dressing dry mix
• Onion soup dry mix
• Splenda Granulated sugar substitute - Comes in a resealable bag or box depending on size and is used for baking and measures cup for cup like sugar (if you are a sugar watcher, and for those who aren't they can't tell)
• Splenda Brown Sugar Blend - Comes in a resealable bag, and is used for baking and cooking and is a blend of real brown sugar and Splenda (if you are a sugar watcher, and for those who aren't they can't tell)

Sauces and Marinades of Note

• Thomas Sauce and Thomas Marinade - Fresh Market got me hooked on these, they use them for their kabobs I'm in love with. I haven't tried the dressing yet, but I'm sure I will love it too.
• Yoshida's Marinade - Costco carries the Original flavor and I use it all the time on pork chops and it is also delish on salmon. I also use it in recipes that call for teriyaki sauce. If you look at their recipes, it makes sense to use it as a sauce for meatballs, Hawaiian chicken etc.
• McCormick's Grill Mates Marinade packets - these are on the isle with all of the packets for making gravy, sloppy joes, chili, beef stew, etc. You add the contents of the packet to a ziplock with some oil and water and marinate the meat of choice. We are both partial to (in order) the Chipotle, Southwest, and Tomato Garlic & Basil. I'm sure if we tried more, we would love them just as much. I have to say too that these rock the house if you use bone-in chicken breasts and cook them outside on the grill. They are soooo juicy and fabulous.
• Cindy's Kitchen Rosemary and Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette - You can find this in the refrigerated section of Whole Foods and Fresh Market. It ROCKS as a marinade and is all natural and organic. It is probably our FAVORITE way to prepare boneless skinless chicken breasts - just marinate (I usually throw the frozen ones in a ziplock, with about 1/2c of this and let them marinate while they are thawing out overnight, and just grill, bake, cook on the George Foreman, etc.)
  

Tools

• Garlic Press - this is my favorite one because it can hold pretty much any size head of garlic, or even fresh ginger. It comes with the little tool attached, that cleans out the little heads that minces the garlic.
• Instant Read Thermometer - This is INVALUABLE to me. The one that I have (and have linked to) is backlit, quick read, and has a setting for all meat types and "doneness", so you don't have to remember what temp your food should be. Keeps the food from being over or under-cooked.
• The Ove Glove - Holy guacamole! I have no idea what I did before my sweet mother-in-law bought me these. Get two of these and throw away any pot holders or silicone mitts you have. You can find them pretty much anywhere in the "As Seen on TV" section or kitchen section.
  
• Microwave veggie steamer - couldn't even begin to live without this thing. The top acts like a colander for draining off the water too. I have both sizes, but if you were going to buy just one, buy the larger one - it's not too large at all. FYI - you can find these on ebay if you aren't on your way to a Pampered Chef party.
• Crockpot with cooking timer - This is a set it and forget it kind of thing because once the timer goes off, it goes to the keep warm mode automatically. I prefer the one that I have linked to, but I'm sure other brands make something similar.