Having the basics in your pantry and fridge is like money in the bank. I made this list by taking stock of every cabinet and drawer in my kitchen. I sorted the items here alphabetically by category for easy reference. Before you rush to the supermarket to buy everything you see below, keep in mind that this list is just a starting point. I tried to be objective and keep only what I thought was important, but it still reflects my personal taste and cooking style. With these items on hand, I'm not left empty-handed when I have to improvise for an impromptu dinner after a long day at the office.  

The trick is figuring out what you gravitate towards most often and stocking up on ingredients that allow you to cook that kind of meal. As someone with Hungarian roots, I always have Hungarian paprika (Szegedi is the best), onions, garlic and Eros Pista (a traditional hot paprika paste) in my pantry. If you like Indian food, stock up on cardamom, mustard seeds, cinnamon, ginger, garlic and turmeric. Rice, pasta, beans and canned tomatoes are good staples to always have in your pantry. They taste great and if stored in air-tight containers they will keep for a long period of time. I usually buy my spices whole from the bulk section. If needed I'll crush them and grind them in a pestle and mortar. It's cheaper and you can buy small amounts. I prefer to buy spices this way because they loose their aroma and strength if kept for too long in the pantry.

The bottom line: use this list as a starting point and tweak it to your liking. Once stocked up on these basics, you won’t have to worry about anything next time you get home late from work and need a quick bite. Enjoy!