Shopping for the store cupboard.

We may shop weekly or monthly but shopping for the store cupboard is to be done to keep stocks up. The store cupboard will be our back up for those times when; we haven’t had time to go to the shop, when we have run out of money, when unexpected guests turn up on the doorstep or when we are just to tired to think of something to make for dinner.
What we store will be dependent on the budget we have available and the kind of meals we usually cook.
It is always useful to have some pasta, macaroni, spaghetti and rice, long grain and pudding.  These ingredients last a while are relatively cheap and nutritious and can be cooked quickly. To go with any of these we could have some dried herbs such as curry, mixed herbs and chilli powder. The ones we will use often. Spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon are also helpful as they can be added to a rice pudding or custard to make a difference.
Some tins are convenient to have particularly tomatoes and beans, kidney and haricot. Tins of fish sardines, pilchards and tuna can all be used to make a healthy but quick meal.
Little extras to add for taste could include; vinegar, salt, mustard, soy and fish sauces, mayonnaise, tomato puree and Worcester sauce.
For puddings we could add vanilla essence, honey, jam and golden syrup. A bag of mixed fruit and a tin of custard powder as always handy.
Our staples would be; flour, plain and self-rising, sugar and oils.
Lastly, a dish of baking potatoes and another of onions are always very good stand buys and a string and garlic hanging from a hook adds the finishing touch.