I Need Grocery List Advice

isaacsflower

I'm off to do some grocery shopping (the sort you're grateful you only have to do once a month) and am looking for advice from the gurus:

What do you consider your most essential ingredients?

What is the most versatile thing in your kitchen?

Also any other things you think would be smart to pick up while I'm at the grocer's, thanks!

Kalynx

tomatoes basil garlic olive oil eggs milk cheese pepper and meat

Enigmatised

Cheap basics! (I'm a student)

I always like to have in the house:
beans
huge variety of frozen veg
apples - they seem to last longer than some other fruit
salad vegetables - tomato/cucumber/spring onion/peppers,etc
lentils
brown pasta
brown rice
brown bread
tinned tomatoes - cheap and good for making pasta sauce or chilli or anything tomato-based with lots of veg in
various herbs/spices - cinnamon is nice with oatmeal for breakfast instead of sugar
- chilli powder, for chilli and making spicy things
- mixed herbs - nice with most things

melaniecheeks

Fresh fruit and veg - whatever's in season or on offer. Spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes are my must haves.

Dairy - semi skimmed milk, natural greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, eggs.

Meat and fish - chicken breasts, lean steaks, fresh fish. I also usually keep some frozen raw prawn/ shrimp in the freezer at all times.

Tins - tinned tomatoes, beans (any variety, red kidney, borlotti, cannelini). Tinned goods will be high in sodium, though.

Bread - I only eat bread every few days, so I buy a good quality seeded sliced loaf and keep it in the freezer - toast one slice from frozen when required.

davidjulian

Alice Waters' "The Art of Simple Cooking" has a great list of pantry staples (perishable and non-perishable) that are relatively inexpensive and can make a million and a half dishes. Someone put it on the Internet here: http://thelocalcook.com/2010/01/05/pantry-essentials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheLocalCook+(The+Local+Cook)

coppertop_4

I'm thinking you're looking for staple ingredients since you said "once a month" type shopping... so here goes!

Spices- they change any staple food cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger etc in smoothies flavor spices for meats or other dishes

Frozen berries and veggies. They are easy to fix and add to things

Eggs (can last up to 5 weeks, check the date)

Mixed nuts (or your favorite nuts)

Protein powder

Coffee (if you drink it)

water (if you need to buy it)

popcorn kernels (for homemade popcorn)

olive oil

meats (you can freeze it in portions if you find good sales!)

plastic sandwich/snack bags and storage containers (These help me prep my weekly meals and snacks)

beans (canned or dry, you pick) add to main dishes or salads

dave's killer seed bread (light) I keep it in the freezer and use as needed

apples and lemons (they last several weeks in the fridge!) They have a variety of uses! Lemons add flavor to water, fish, salad,
marinades, etc and if you find they are getting soft and need to be used, you can clean with them, or add a couple drops of honey to a half a lemon (or smaller) and use as a facial. Tons of other uses for lemons!
Apples can go in salads, with dips, eaten whole, sprinkled with cinnamon, applesauce and they are easy to transport or grab for a quick snack! chop an apple, put a half teaspoon of salt in a bowl of water and soak the apple for a minute. It won't turn brown!

I can't think of any thing else off the top of my head... those are my "must have" items.

Kalynx

chia seeds are great, they last a long time and have 5 g of fat fiber protein and carb

lkcuts

I could not imagine shopping once a month I am a fresh veggie eater so split up my list each week Planning a menu helps
I start at the produce section luttuce, tomatoes, onions potatoes some times fresh green beans, or sugar snap peas, bean sprouts (thinking stir fry) brocoli green peppers carrots avacados and one fruit.. go to the meat section frozen talapi,lean hamburger (I divide it up in meals, pork roast, and chicken, and sometimes turkey that goes for several meals)bread then dairy/eggs //cheese those are all on the outside isles then for the inside shopping comes cereal rice/beans tomato sauce and spices coffee.. I buy spices to add to my collection of chili powder ,garden garlic powder, oregano,cinn,collander,mrs dash, salt pepper,chives catshup/mustard and mayos coconut oil,sesame oil or olive oil once bought last forever,.
The simplier and whole foods you buy the healthier it is. I would say the veggies and meat take up most my cart. If I go to the inside isles I am too tempted to pick up junk like chips and cookies..When I go by thoses sections I say to myself "You don't need those you have flour and sugar at home and can make it if you really want it... same with pasta..
I buy a few cans of canned green beans or beets salsa condiments like pickles and such last awhile, but the first initial buy is expensive..kinda got to build up by buying canned goods when on sale.

Aventuria

Alice Waters' "The Art of Simple Cooking" has a great list of pantry staples (perishable and non-perishable) that are relatively inexpensive and can make a million and a half dishes. Someone put it on the Internet here: http://thelocalcook.com/2010/01/05/pantry-essentials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheLocalCook+(The+Local+Cook)

Love your link!

isaacsflower

I'm thinking you're looking for staple ingredients since you said "once a month" type shopping... so here goes!

You're right, I was thinking mostly staples, so thanks for your list it'll help out a lot!

Amberonamission

ezekial bread
Light english muffins
low carb tortillas
low sodium deli ham and turkey
pickles
veggie cheese
black beans
beets canned
whole chickens
lentils
brown rice
sweet potatoes
frozen broccoli, green beans, cauliflower
fresh zucchini, lettuce, carrots
vanilla protein powder and dark cocoa powder (in case I want choc not van)
chia seeds
coconut oil
I can believe it's not butter spray

that's my must haves in the house

AJ_Pete

I've gotten to the point that I only shop the outiskirts of the grocery store. Fresh, lean cuts of meat, fresh fruits and veggies.... the only things I go into the aisles for are brown rice or whole wheat spaghetti (and the household items). Nothing canned, nothing boxed.... fresh is best. And if you can't get fresh veggies, get frozen.

nxd10

Yoghurt, garlic, jicama, celery, carrots, chicken (use as meat and also broth as basis for many other meals - one roast is at least 5 meals), smart and delicious low carb/low fat whole wheat tortillas, muesli, bananas, coffee, honey lemon ginsing tea, beets, ginger, sweet potatoes, kale, greens in season

shortnerdy

In my house:

12 grain bread
Skim Milk
Eggs
Brown Rice
An assortment of Veggies, whatever looks good or is on sale but ALWAYS baby spinach, red peppers, carrots and mushrooms