Below is a list of ingredients that every larder should have. This is a once off purchase that you can add to as you use or run out of each item. Most kitchens will have a fair amount of these items already so this won’t be that pricey. In our kitchen we use the corner rotating press for storing these items. It is so handy for keeping everything together and being able to quickly get them at a glance. Below I have added a list of essential equipment too. Over time you will have bought most of these tools too. These lists are intended for the would-be cooks who are looking for guidance in getting started.

Larder or store cupboard :

Tins: 2 of each

☐ Baked beans
☐ Chopped tomatoes
☐ Passata ( sieved tomato )
☐ Tuna
☐ Sardines
☐ Anchovies
☐ Coconut milk
☐ Evaporated milk
☐ Sweetcorn
☐ A selection of soups ( handy for bulking up a stew )
☐ Red kidney beans
☐ Chick peas
☐ Marrowfat peas

Dry Goods :

☐ Flour – cornflour, plain, self raising and wholemeal
☐ Couscous
☐ Pasta – spagetti, fusilli, tagliatelle and lasagna sheets
☐ Porridge oats
☐ Rice – basmati, long grain and risotto
☐ Raisins and currants
☐ Nuts/Seeds – walnuts, macadamia, pistachio and cashew / sunflower, pumpkin and pine nuts

Spices :

☐ Chilli flakes
☐ Black pepper ( ground and whole selection of colours red and black )
☐ White pepper ground
☐ Maldon sea salt flakes
☐ Garam masala
☐ Cumin
☐ Mustard seeds and powder
☐ Oregano
☐ Basil
☐ Thyme
☐ Nutmeg ( whole preferably )
☐ Cinnamon ( ground and whole )
☐ Cloves ( ground and whole )
☐ Mixed spice
☐ All spice
☐ Cayenne pepper
☐ Paprika
☐ Smoked Paprika
☐ Turmeric
☐ Vanilla ( pods and extract )

Sugar :

☐ Granulated
☐ Caster
☐ Demerara
☐ Icing
☐ Muscovado

Stock cubes :

☐ Beef
☐ Chicken
☐ Lamb
☐ Vegetable
☐ Fish

Jars or Bottles :

☐ Ketchup
☐ HP brown sauce
☐ Soy sauce ( dark and light )
☐ Oyster sauce
☐ Sriracha
☐ Coconut cream
☐ Chilli paste
☐ Honey
☐ Maple syrup
☐ Mustard ( Dijon and wholegrain )
☐ Worcestershire sauce
☐ Mint sauce
☐ Tartare sauce
☐ Mayonaise
☐ Horseradish
☐ Fish sauce
☐ Shoahsing rice wine vinegar
☐ White and malted vinegar
☐ Apple cider vinegar
☐ Red wine vinegar
☐ Balsamic vinegar or glaze
☐ Treacle
☐ Molasses
☐ Golden Syrup

Oils :

☐ Olive
☐ Extra virgin olive
☐ Sunflower
☐ Rapeseed
☐ Coconut
☐ Groundnut
☐ Sesame

Vegetables :

☐ Potatoes
☐ Onions
☐ Garlic
☐ Tomatoes
☐ Carrots
☐ Ginger
☐ Shallots
☐ Mixed chillies

Nice to haves :

☐ Chorizo
☐ Amaretto
☐ Jagermeister
☐ Halloumi
☐ Harissa paste
☐ Buttermilk
☐ Pancetta
☐ Ricotta
☐ Wasabi
☐ Jamaican Ginger Ale
☐ Gochujang chilli paste ( Korean fermented hot chilli paste )

A list for the Fridge :

☐ Butter unsalted x 4
☐ Milk
☐ Cheese ( cheddar and parmigiana )
☐ Eggs x 12
☐ Yoghurt ( natural )
☐ Sauerkraut ( fermented cabbage )
☐ Kimchi ( Korean spicy fermented cabbage )

A list for the freezer :

☐ Bread ( naan and pitta )
☐ Peas
☐ Spinach
☐ Kale
☐ Puff pastry
☐ Filo pastry
☐ Ice-cream
☐ Ice cubes

Essential equipment needed in the kitchen:

☐ Cooks Knife 20cm
☐ Small knife 10cm
☐ Serrated bread knife
☐ Meat cleaver
☐ Knife sharpener
☐ Large wooden chopping board
☐ Tongs
☐ Spatula
☐ Ladle
☐ Ballon whisk
☐ Potato masher
☐ Potato peeler
☐ Pastry brush
☐ Rolling pin
☐ Wooden spoons
☐ Colander
☐ Sieve
☐ Metal skewers
☐ Potato ricer
☐ Digital timer
☐ Digital food thermometer
☐ Digital food scales
☐ Plastic containers and zip lock bags
☐ Baking beans
☐ Baking tray and baking sheet
☐ Roasting tray with rack
☐ Griddle pan
☐ Bun tray
☐ Stick blender
☐ Large casserole pot
☐ Food processor
☐ Pyrex glass bowl
☐ Measuring jug and spoons
☐ Non-stick frying pan with metal handles so it can go in the oven
☐ Non-stick pots with metal handles so it can go in the oven
☐ Tin foil
☐ Cling film
☐ Pestle and mortar
☐ Mandolin
☐ Coffee grinder