A Beginner’s Guide to a From Scratch Kitchen
Mastering the Basics: A Guide to Cooking from Scratch
If you’re curious about what’s really in your pantry and fridge, you’re in the right place! Let’s embark on a journey of cooking from scratch. I’ll show you how easy and affordable it can be to nourish your family with delicious, wholesome meals.
Lets Start With The Why: A desire for health & a lack of trust
Why build a from scratch kitchen? In Dr. Casey Means book “Good Energy” She highlights the fact that our food is information. Molecular information. Every bite we take feeds our bodies with molecules that build and maintain our bodies and our health. When we consume processed foods, we’re often ingesting broken information that can hinder our body’s ability to function optimally.
The recent spotlight on processed foods has sparked important conversations. People are questioning ingredient lists and seeking answers about the long-term impact of these substances on their minds and bodies.
Navigating the vast sea of health information can be overwhelming. Conflicting advice, conspiracy theories, and evolving government regulations make it difficult to discern fact from fiction. Over the years we’ve seen the FDA claim an ingredient or food additive was not harmful when only to retract that statement or classification a few years later after studies come out or a policy change, or a leadership change. This has led to a lack of trust in government food policies and regulations.
That’s why I’ve chosen to take control of my family’s diet by making most of our food from scratch. By sourcing fresh, whole ingredients and preparing meals at home, I can ensure that we’re nourishing our bodies with the best possible information. Lets dive into my beginner’s guide to a from scratch kitchen.
Lets Define Real Food
Real food is simple. It comes from nature, not a factory. It grows in the ground, swims in the sea, flies in the air, or slithers, crawls, or walks the earth. With a few exceptions like preservation techniques (freezing, drying, canning), most real food isn’t packaged. I can think of very few exceptions to this rule. Can you? comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts.
A New Perspective on Food Choices
When you’re at the grocery store, look at each item of food through this lens. If it started as a natural product but has been heavily processed, it doesn’t qualify as real food. Take a look at the ingredients list, does it contain only real food items?
Where To Start
Let’s start with the basics. To be ready to whip up a meal from scratch at a moment’s notice, you’ll need a well-stocked pantry and fridge.
Baking
- Flour (Organic Unbleached All Purpose, Whole Wheat, Einkorn)
- Yeast
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Corn Starch
- Corn Meal
- Gelatin
- Cocoa Powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Organic Chocolate Chips
Sweeteners
- Local Raw Honey
- Organic Maple Syrup
- Cane Sugar
- Brown Sugar
Sauces & Condiments
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Ketchup
- Dijon Mustard
- Peanutbutter
- Jams & Jellies ( Make these Yourself!)
Canned Goods
- Tomato paste
- Organic Diced Tomatoes
- Broths or broth concentrates
Herbs & Spices
- Allspice
- Basil
- Bay Leaves
- Black Peppercorns
- Cardamom
- Cayenne Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Coriander Seeds
- Cumin
- Dill
- Fennel Seeds
- Garlic Powder
- Ginger Powder
- Garam Masala
- Italian Seasoning
- Mint
- Mustard Seeds
- Nutmeg
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley Flakes
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Sesame Seeds
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Fridge & Freezer
- Grassfed Butter ( I like to stock up and keep in my freezer)
- Greek Yogurt
- Cheese Blocks
- Shredded Mozzarella ( I buy large bags from costco to freeze for homemade pizza nights)
- Milk
- Cream
Grains
- Organic (glyphosate Free) Oats
- Bread Crumbs (you can easily make your own!)
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Pasta
Fridge & Freezer
- Grassfed Butter ( I like to stock up and keep in my freezer)
- Greek Yogurt
- Cheese Blocks
- Shredded Mozzarella ( I buy large bags from costco to freeze for homemade pizza nights)
- Milk
- Cream
Oils & Vinegars
- Avocado Oil
- Olive Oil
- Coconut oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Wine or red wine vinega
- Rice wine vinegar
- Balsamic
- White vinegar
Produce
- Seasonal Produce
- Onions (always have on hand)
- Garlic (fresh only, always have on hand)
- Carrots
- Greens
What about Sauces & Condiments
The grocery store is filled with convenient pre-made items like mayonnaise, baking mixes, spice blends, breads, sauces, and dressings. While these might seem intimidating to make from scratch, they’re actually quite simple. In fact, many of these items can be pre-made and stored, offering the convenience of store-bought products without the unnecessary additives.
Check out a few of these recipes
Dont Bite Off More Than You Can Chew!
If you try to change everything at once, it can feel overwhelming. Start small and focus on one area at a time. Maybe you’ll begin by making all your dinners from scratch using whole foods. Or perhaps you’ll start baking your own bread. Another option could be meal prepping breakfast to avoid grabbing something on the go.
Whatever your goal, choose something realistic and sustainable for your lifestyle. As you master this new habit, you can gradually incorporate other changes.
What A From Scratch Kitchen Looks Like
- Meals primarily made at home: With the space to enjoy a meal out once in a while.
- A well Stocked pantry & fridge
- Glass tupperware
- A collection of cookbooks and recipe cards
- Basic meals that can be rotated through each month
- A sharp knife set
- A good quality cutting board: I use wood or glass. Never plastic
- Wooden Spoons & Spatulas
- A variety of pots and pans: Cast Iron, Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Ovens, and stainless steel only.
- A set of measuring cups and spoons:
Basic Recipes in a From Scratch Kitchen
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a list of basics you can focus on when beginning your “from scratch” journey. Learning basic recipes helps to streamline the process. You can print these recipes out and add them to your kitchen binder for a quick reference. ( Keep an eye out for these recipes as I add them)
- Mayo
- Dressings
- Seasonings
- Soft Sandwich Bread
- Pizza Sauce
- Pasta Sauce
- Pizza Dough
- Quick Rolls
- Artisan Bread
- Tortillas
- Flat Bread
- Jams & Jellies
- Whipped Cream
