In order to cook from scratch, every kitchen should have some basic ingredients on hand-- most are non-perishable.  They are easily stored for long periods.  With these ingredients you have a great deal of flexibility and can make almost any meal. 

The basic ingredients are:

• Salt-- plain and kosher (bigger grains)
• Pepper-- ground and whole
• Sugar-- white and brown
• Cinnamon-- sticks or ground
• Parsley-- fresh if you can
• Basil-- fresh if you can
• Flour-- I prefer less processed
• Eggs-- fresh is best
• Butter-- salted or unsalted
• Milk-- whole milk has more versatility
• Cheese-- sliced, grated, etc.
• Olive oil-- extra virgin is best
• Vinegar-- white and balsamic
• Wine-- if you won't drink it, don't cook with it
• Garlic-- fresh
• Onion-- fresh
• Lemons-- fresh
• Mustard-- brown
• Ketchup-- homemade is best
• Mayo-- homemade is best

This is an extremely elementary list, but it is a start for many meals (I will be posting more comprehensive lists in the near future).  Add a meat, vegetable and a starch (rice, potato, or pasta) and you have something to eat in a jiffy.

I put recipes up regularly on my sites (you will see more here at the Self Reliance Workshop) and you will notice that these ingredients are usually involved. Again, have these items on hand and you can make many a meal.  Specifically, you have the makings of a breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

The beauty and value of basic ingredients (Here comes the quality of life pitch . . . ) is that with the "cooking from scratch" approach you know what is going into your food and the flavor/taste is unmistakable-- it's just plain healthier than highly processed foods and much more cost effective. You won't want to go back.  Two of my personal favorites are when my wife makes pancakes from scratch or I make Italian gravy from scratch . . . getting hungry just thinking about them!

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

This post is derived from a post that appeared on DaddyCooksQuick.com, here is the link to the original post, Basic Ingredients and the Value of Cooking From Scratch.

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Related Posts:
DDFD's Views on the Self Reliance Workshop and What's to Come . . .  
What if the Grocery Store Was Bare?  
Wild Game Recipes: Almond Broiled Trout Fillets 

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.