Storecupboard Guide
Having a few basics in the store cupboard gives you the ability to open the fridge and cook a wide variety of dishes. With a few basic sauces and spices you can make simple dishes from all around the world.
Skills covered
Cupboard management, menu planning
Storecupboard
By: Chloe Coker
A well stocked store cupboard gives you the freedom to open the cupboard and have a lot of choice in what to cook. Below we have put together a guide with core basics plus extras that you might like to buy depending on what you like to cook and eat.

Your Storecupboard
CATEGORY |
THE BASICS |
EXTRAS YOU MIGHT LIKE |
Oils, Vinegars and Condiments |
– Extra virgin olive oil – A flavourless cooking oil such as sunflower or vegetable oil – White wine or apple cider vinegar – Dijon mustard – Soy sauce – Tomato ketchup – Tomato puree – Mayonnaise – Honey |
– Hot sauce such as Siracha – Mirin – Shaoxing rice wine / sherry – Toasted sesame oil – Miso – Fish sauce – Bbq sauce – Worcestershire sauce (use Henderson’s relish if veggie) – Balsamic vinegar – Horseraddish sauce – Capers – Harissa – Maple syrup |
Herbs and Spices |
– Sea Salt – Black pepper – Ground Cumin – Ground Coriander – Turmeric – Chilli flakes – Dried Italian herbs/oregano – Curry powder of your choice – Stock cubes |
– Cumin seeds – Coriander seeds – Fennel seeds – Mustard seeds – Cardamon – Kashmiri chillis – Nutmeg – Smoked Paprika – Spanish Pimenton – Saffron |
Tins and Jars |
– Tinned tomatoes or passata – Coconut milk / cream – Chickpeas / butterbeans / kidney beans – Sweetcorn |
– Olives – Sundried tomatoes – Tinned fish / anchovies – Dried mushrooms – Pesto |
Dry Goods |
– Pasta / spaghetti – Basmati rice – Red lentils (for bulking out stews / curries) – Porridge oats |
– Risotto Rice – Rice / egg noodles – Couscous – Panko breadcrumbs |
Flour / Sugar / Baking |
– Plain flour – Self raising flour – Baking powder – Bicarbonate of soda – Vanilla extract – Caster sugar – Brown sugar – Cocoa powder – Dark chocolate |
– Dessicated coconut – Golden syrup – Treacle / Molasses – Ground almonds – Bread Flour – Instant yeast – Dried fruit (raisins / cranberries) |
Fridge |
– onions / shallots – garlic – ginger – tomatoes – lemons / limes – coriander / parsley – cheddar cheese – parmesan cheese – butter – eggs |
– chorizo – mint / basil – chillis – yoghurt
|
Freezer |
– Frozen spinach – Vanilla ice cream – Frozen berries – Frozen peas |
– Frozen ginger / garlic / herbs – Frozen veg – Frozen fish fillets / prawns |
In the garden / in a pot |
– Rosemary – Sage – Chives – Mint – Parsley |
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