Kitchen Supplies

You’re probably thinking that this is about gadgets and cookware. Well, since I’m Italian, it’s really about kitchen supplies for Italian cooking.

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Each day there seems to be a new recipe being created for another Italian style dish. Browsing through recipe sites and television food channels, it always amazes me that everyone has started to add so many different ingredients to a very old style of cooking. Quite honestly, some of them are completely new to me. As an Italian American myself, my kitchen supplies are quite simple when it comes to ingredients and food staples for Italian cooking.

There are different styles of cooking Italian food. There is northern Italian food which closely resembles French food with creamy, white sauces. Then there is southern Italian food which is red sauces and clear sauces. The only style I am very familiar with is the southern Italian food style which I grew up with and have continued to cook throughout the years. This is still the traditional style of Italian cooking with my own family. With very few food staples always on hand, you can create these meals every day. Using these ingredients, each meal comes out with an authentic Italian food flavor. Another bonus is that these staples do not spoil but will last a long time and your Italian dishes will always tastes delicious.

Spices
Basil
Parsley
Black Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes
Oregano
Fennel Seeds
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt (only needed if you use it – I never add salt to food)

Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese (always keep one in the freezer)
Pecorino Romano grating cheese – imported cheese which is made from sheep’s milk. This is a must have for flavor.

Other Items
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil for frying
Red Wine Vinegar
Fresh Garlic and Fresh Onions (these can spoil if not used)
Cans of crushed, pureed and diced tomatoes for sauces
Small sliced pepperoni (can be kept frozen)
Bread crumbs (unseasoned)
Chick Peas
Cannellini Beans
Sweet Peas
Frozen bread dough (used for making pizza or stromboli)
Macaroni (different styles such as ziti and rigatoni)
Spaghetti
Italian Bread (keep in refrigerator or freezer)

With just these listed items, you can create great Italian food which is really very simple and inexpensive to make. Native Italians knew how to make meals that had tasty ingredients but yet cost very little. Also, an added bonus is that it is classic Mediterranean style cooking which has great health benefits. It also does not take a whole lot of time and effort to cook these meals. Some spaghetti dishes can be made in less than one-half hour.

So if you like Italian food, begin by stocking your pantry with these kitchen supplies for Italian cooking. Recipes are easy to understand, ingredients are easy to find and the food is delicious.

What other basic ingredients and kitchen supplies do you keep on hand? Share with everyone in the comments box below.