By Shopping List

Preparing for my upcoming (22 days!) pilgrimage to the west/best coast, I've been putting some thought (with the two spare brain cells that aren't planning the logistics of getting myself and all my worldly belongings across the country) to what goods I'll need to stock my future pantry. My cooking style is such that I like to have a lot of staples on hand, so when hunger strikes (or guests arrive) I can let my creative forces fly. For one whole lovely month in Santa Barbara I made a variety of dishes with only spinach, broccoli eggs, peanut butter, rice, soy sauce, orange juice, bread, onions, garlic, and mushrooms on hand. (It's really not that much when you think about it). And I suspect similar adventures await me as I settle into my new surroundings over the next few months. I like to be prepared.

Bear in mind that I fully recognize the frivolity and ultimate fruitlessness of this query, but when I'm anxious I like to make lists, and this is one of my favorite lists to make (this is round three or four on this particular topic). As a nice follow-up to the kitchen tools and utensils one might keep handy, here is my list of the edible goods one might need/want to cook in/with/on one's pretty culinary paraphernalia:

In The Pantry (Shelves)
Olive oil (I use extra virgin for everything -- yes, I know you aren't supposed to. But I do.)
Vinegars (brown rice, apple cider, red wine, balsamic)
Rice (brown, Basmati, jasmine), couscous, and/or quinoa
Pasta (fresh is better, but nice to have some dried on hand -- Asian and Italian varieties)
Tea (black, spiced, green, white, herbal; bagged and loose leaf)
Canned beans (black, cannelini, kidney, garbonzo)
Nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, almonds)
Cereal
Crackers
Honey
Canned tomatoes (so useful)
Chipotles in adobo (so tasty)
Coconut milk
Marmite!
Other oil (canola, sesame, walnut)
Dried fruit (cranberries, candied ginger, mango)
English muffins
Soup (grudgingly)

In the Pantry (Baking)
Flour (unbleached, whole wheat)
Corn meal
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Sugar (brown, confectioner's, maybe white)\
Extracts (vanilla, almond, maple, rum)
Cocoa powder and/or baking chocolate
Molasses

In the Pantry (Dried seasonings)
Basil
Bay Leaves
Cayenne or Chili powder
Cinnamon
Cumin
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Peppercorns
Rosemary
Sesame seeds
Thyme
Turmeric
Vegetable boullion
Flavored salts
Flax seeds
Poppy seeds
Cream of Tartar
Whole cloves

In the Pantry (Drawer)
Onions (yellow, red, maybe shallots too)
Garlic (LOTS)
Potatoes (sweet, baking, red, fingerling -- whatever looks good at the market)
Fresh ginger

In the Refrigerator (Door)
Soy sauce
Peanut butter
Mustard
Ketchup
Hot sauce (sriracha, Frank's, Tabasco, Cholula)
Olives, capers
Yeast packets
Shortening or margarine
Fruit preserves
Maple syrup
Champagne

In the Refrigerator (Shelves)
Eggs
Soy milk
Orange juice
Seltzer
Filtered water / water pitcher
Miso paste
Beer (wheat, stout, lager, IPA, maybe lambic, saison)
Leftovers

In the Refrigerator (Drawers)
Leafy greens (kale, spinach)
Tomatoes
Carrots
Seasonal produce
Tempeh, maybe vegan sausage
Cheese (cheddar, gouda, goat, parmesan)
Tofu

In the Freezer
Leftovers (like soup, preferably in individual containers)
Sliced bread
Ice trays
Fruit for smoothies (lots of bananas, berries)
Veggie chicken nuggets
Tofu
Coffee (beans or ground)
Edamame
Peas
Dark chocolate
Grapes

Elsewhere
Lemons
Not-overly-ripe seasonal fruit
Wine
Bread
Avocados

What else do you have stocked?