I HAVE DELIBERATELY USED THE SAME SPICES, OILS, MUSTARD AND VINEGARS THROUGHOUT THE BOOK SO YOUDON’T NEED TO GO OUT AND STOCK UP EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO COOK A NEW RECIPE. THIS LIST SHOULD HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY, SO STOCK UP GRADUALLY WHEN YOU CAN. NOTHING LISTED IS EXPENSIVE OR DIFFICULT TO BUY.

Flaked sea salt

A pepper mill

Ground cumin

Ground coriander

Ground ginger

Chinese Five Spice

Ground cinnamon ground paprika (smoked and hot are both good)

Chilli

Cajun seasoning

Dried oregano or mixed herbs

Stock cubes – chicken and vegetable

Olive oil

Vegetable or sunflower oil

Balsamic/red wine/cider vinegar

Cooking wine

Dijon mustard

Tomato purée

Soy sauce – I like light but either is fine

Worcestershire sauce

Sweet chilli sauce – great for cooking and dipping

Dried grains and pulses: Bulgar wheat, couscous, pearl barley, red lentils –you don’t need all of these as they are interchangeable but try to keep a few in stock Canned pulses: chickpeas, cannelloni beans, kidney, lentils – you don’t need all of these as they are all interchangeable but keep a few in stock at all times Canned sweetcorn

Canned chopped tomatoes/passata rice, any variety you prefer. I keep wild, Arborio risotto and basmati pasta

Dried noodles Breadcrumbs, dried or fresh

Canned fruits: apricots, peaches and pineapple. These are good to have if you can’t get hold of fresh of if fresh are out of season or expensive

Dried fruits and nuts: apricots, sultanas, almonds, pine nuts, just a couple will do Flour Baking powder

Ground almonds

Sugar – brown or white

Icing sugar

Peanut butter

Chocolate spread

Jam

Honey

Vanilla paste or extract

IN MY FRIDGE

Butter

Parmesan, Cheddar, mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheese – not all at the same time necessarily

Tomato ketchup

Onions/spring onions/shallots

Chillies

Garlic

Ginger

Milk

Eggs

Cream/crème fraîche/soured cream

Selection of green and root vegetables always including: carrots, celery, leeks, potatoes

Chorizo, smoked bacon, lardons or pepperoni

IN MY FRUIT BOWL

Lemons

Limes

Oranges

Apples/ pears (usually interchangeable in recipes)

ON MY WINDOWSILL

Rosemary

Basil

Thyme

Bay

Min

As featured in “Cook on a shoestring: Easy, inspiring recipes on a budget”

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