what are your Pantry Essentials?

When I was newly married, I had a notebook with me where I write all the things we needed to buy for our new home. I didn't realize that as small as this notebook may seem it would be so busy I would depend on it the whole time for it entailed pala a lot of things to go through and look after when moving into a new home. From the list of basic furniture we might need to household appliances to basic pantry essentials to linens and curtains to storage boxes and more were what concerned me to make the experience if not perfect, at least fuss free. To think that all we needed to start off were just the basics first. It was tiring but the truth is it was the happy kind.

Let me share the list I found in my notebook and I will start with the pantry essentials. Actually our needs, you and we, may all vary but just maybe, this list might be of aid too. You can start from what you see in your parent’s house first and take note if you might need it for day one or if you can hold buying it off for a few more weeks.

Rice.
No brainer. We’re rice eaters so rice comes to mind when we think of basic needs

garlic, onions and tomatoes.
even if you're not a good cook yet, you will need these 3 for the easy gisa (saute) dishes. for a newbie, sinangag (fried rice) and omelet isn't a bad way to fire up your cooking skill.

salt, pepper.
every dish you whip up will need these dependable duo.

cooking oil. (olive, palm or vegetable).
what kind of oil to get first will be your little concern, for me vegetable is ok for it's the kind that will not affect the taste of whatever dish you prepare. If you’re into salads then buy olive oil first. If you’re into fried foods, palm oil is better.

soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar.
splurge in brands that you trust, sometimes the best adobo comes from the kind of soy sauce you use and so with fish sauce and vinegar. 

cornstarch, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, bread crumbs, aluminum foil.
these will come in handy once you feel like making pancakes or breading from scratch. There will be a lot of recipes that you will use these soon with, not to mention they don’t expire straight away so they're a good investment really.

calamansi (lime or lemon), ginger.
I never let me ran out of calamansi for I find it very useful in almost everything, not just in cooking but also in cleaning, bathing, washing, treatments, deodorizing and drinking. Ginger on the other hand takes the lansa away for chicken dishes, which we cook most of the time, so we really need to have it. Plus it’s medicinal aid proves indispensable too.

eggs, butter.
eggs will save your day for when there's nothing to eat, you can always rely on them. Well with butter, I need not say anymore for everything is just happier with butter. Wink.

bread or biscuits.
you should never allow your husband to die of hunger :) so make sure there’s at least bread or biscuit in your pantry all the time. I believe most men are not naman picky, just see to it hindi kakalam ang sikmura nila hahaha.
 
sinigang mix, monggo beans, pasta, bullion cubes.
my go-to dishes to survive are sinigang, monggo and spaghetti. :) not all days are sipag days for me and since hubby is not one to complain I whip them up with no trouble at all. For an easy recipe click mackerel sinigang or corned tuna pasta.

sugar, coffee, milk.
you can add chocolate drink or tea if you're not a milk drinker. just make sure that what you both prefer for a morning drink is in your pantry. Add powdered juices too if you wish.

Catsup, Mang Tomas.
If you’re into sawsawan (dips) do not forget them too.

Canned goods.
for me what you should always have are tuna or corned tuna, corned beef and sardines (or mackerel in our case). these will save your day or midnight hunger pangs.

For day one of living together in your own home as husband and wife (for singletons who wish for their independence too), you can work your way out from these lists and then later on stock your pantry with your favorites too. We usually buy them as we need them so we avoid purchasing on a whim. Hard times teach us to make do with what we have so good luck and build your pantry a little at a time.

P.S. so what are your other pantry must-haves?