Storecupboard essentials

NB: This is not an exhaustive list, just the things you will need for the basic recipes.  The variations will require extras.

In the cupboard:

- Tinned tomatoes
- Tomato puree
- Salt
- Black pepper
- White pepper 
- Dried herbs - Thyme, Oregano
- Mustard
- Nutmeg (Please buy a whole nutmeg and grate it when needed.  It makes all the difference I promise) 
- Olive oil 
- Sunflower/vegetable oil
- Plain flour


In the veg box:

- Onions
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Celery

In the fridge:

- Milk
- Butter
- Eggs 

Equipment

- Large saucepan
- Medium saucepan
- Frying pan
- Wooden spoon
- Tin opener
- Vegetable peeler
- Cheese grater
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board

Not a massive list but I assure you, you can make 3 different meals out of this list.  Of course, you will need other things to go with the basic recipes.  I always like to keep a variety of pasta shapes, rice and cous cous/bulgar wheat along with adaptable ingredients such as sausages/bacon, peppers, courgettes.  It really depends on what you buy in your weekly shop.  You know what things you like and once you gain confidence in cooking it can be fun to experiment with new ingredients.

I had thought of doing a glossary of cooking terms with this list but the decided to leave that to Delia.  I'm sure everybody knows how to use Google if there is something they don't understand.  Like I said before, these are very simple recipes.  I am not a chef.