These are the the staples that I try and keep in my pantry and frig. If you keep these up you can make almost anything with the addition of a few items.

  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • Chicken Broth
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Grated Parm Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Canned tomatoes, crushed, whole and fire-roasted
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Crushed Red Pepper
  • Ground Cumin
  • Dry Pasta
  • Soy Sauce
  • Ginger

In a bind here are some great substitutes:

  • 1 Tbs balsamic or red wine vinegar for 1/4 cup of red wine
  • Parmesan cheese for Asiago
  • Plain low-fat yogurt for sour cream or buttermilk
  • Cottage cheese for ricotta
  • Angle hair pasta or linguine for Asian noodles
  • Worcestershire sauce for fish sauce
  • 3 Tbs egg substitute for 1 large egg white (vice versa)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric for 1/s teaspoon saffron.
  • 3 Tbs cocoa plus 1 Tbs butter for 1 ounce semisweet chocolate.

You can find more at http://www.joyofbaking.com/IngredientSubstitution.html