Our list of kitchen staples provide fast and tasty ingredients for recipes that your family will also enjoy. If these were the only things in your kitchen, you’d be able to prepare a bunch of R♥K recipes.

Canned/Jarred

Beans –  cannellini, pinto, black, red kidney – add to salads, saute with salsa as side dish or put on top of grilled fish or chicken

Canned Tomatoes – sun dried in oil, fire roasted, with garlic, with chilies – for making sauces/salsas

Minced Garlic – Easier than doing all that chopping yourself

Tuna –  in Olive Oil or Water, add to a salad or for a quick lunch protein

Condiments/Sauces

Balsamic Vinegar, for the salad dressing or drizzle for grilled sliced meat

Chicken Broth – Good brands are reduced sodium and low fat, use a little on steamed vegetables to give them flavor.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I use for cooking and salads

Light Mayonnaise, use half and half blended with Greek yogurt

Mustard – spicy brown or Dijon – use for salad dressings and pan sauces

Rice Wine Vinegar – for Asian marinades and for salad dressings

Sesame Seed or Peanut Oil – toasted, for marinades or dressings

Soy sauce – Low sodium for marinades & sauces

Sriracha – when you need a little heat – a few drops blended with Greek yogurt great option instead of high sugared ketchups.

Worcestershire Sauce – unique flavor that makes a meatloaf taste different from meatballs

Protein

Chicken breast – skinless, boneless – individually wrapped Chicken Breasts

Ground chicken breast – freshly chopped or chop your own from whole breasts in food processor

Pork tenderloin – season, sear and roast in oven, thinly slice – super tender and moist

Pre-cooked Rotisserie Chicken – make into many dishes

Salmon filet, Scallops, Shrimp – quick cooking and a nice change of pace 

Turkey Breast – ground – fresh

Produce

Avacado – use in salads, as a boat, or as a spread

Butternut Squash – winter squash – cut into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper roast on cookie sheet til tender

Garlic – used in just about every dish!

Gourmet Garden Herb Tubes – Basil, Garlic, Ginger are my favorites

Onions – Need I say more, all different kinds add flavor when sauteing or using in a salad?

Red, Green and Yellow Sweet Peppers – saute with garlic and onion in olive oil for a topper grilled sliced meats or salad or stuff with chili for a southwestern stuffed pepper

Salad greens – Leftover protein and salad for quick weeknight dinners!

Spinach greens – for salad or after searing chicken or fish and removing to plate, dump entire bag into pan and cook until wilted, seasoning with garlic powder for a quick side!

Tomatoes – Roma, grape, and cherry tomatoes – salads or roasted

Zucchini – simmer in sauce or making fries

Frozen

Frozen vegetables –  Mashed or riced Cauliflower, Broccoli, Mixed Vegetables for stir fry.

Dairy

Eggs –  Extra Large –  hard cooked eggs to keep in fridge, and for fast dinner ideas 

Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges – use for snacking with veggies or add to sauces for creamy factor

Non-fat Greek Yogurt – great in sauces, dressings or as a condiment

Parmesan cheese – buy a wedge and grate your own to add protein and a lot of flavor to salads, soups, and sauces

Shredded cheese – Low fat mozzarella, cheddar or favorite blends for adding flavor to dishes

Seasonings/Spices/Packaged Items

Agave – a natural sweetener 

Almond flour – Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour comes in fine or super fine for dredging or use in place of breadcrumbs

Basil/Rosemary – fresh and dried

Black pepper – almost every dish benefits from a few grinds of black pepper

Chili powder – Great for Mexican recipes or when you like a little heat in chili

Cumin – lemon earthy goodness to many recipes

Garlic Powder/Onion Powder – Need i say more?

Lemon/Lime Juice – for dressings or a squeeze of freshness

Oregano – dried, essential for Italian, Mexican, and Greek cuisines!

 Non-Stick Cooking Spray – Original and Olive Oil

Sea Salt/Kosher Salt – better for you if you must use than the iodized version