What's in My Kitchen

FYI:  I don't get paid to endorse any of these products -- this is just what I like and have on hand in my own home.

Pantry staples  

A few of my favorites.

California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil - in California at least, this is readily available in most supermarkets.  A 750 ml bottle will run between $12 and $15.  It's a good, flavorful everyday olive oil; I like it because it's affordable, domestically produced, and seems to be fresher than a lot of other supermarket offerings.

Diamond Kosher Salt - Growing up, my parents used Morton's salt.  I had read a lot about Diamond salt in cookbooks but figured salt was salt, until I came across a box at Safeway.  Salt -is- just salt -- but the shape and texture of Diamond salt ensures that it is easy to pick up with your figures to sprinkle across a dish and that it readily dissolves and disappears when it is supposed to!  It's less dense than table (Morton's) salt -- if you use volume measures (e.g., measuring spoons), you will need more spoonfuls of salt than if using table salt.

Fish sauce - My favorite brands are Red Boat, Three Crabs, and Flying Lion.  Red Boat is a bit pricier and available at specialty or gourmet stores.  Three Crabs and Flying Lion will set you back about $3 a bottle and are available at most Asian grocery stores (and sometimes even in the Asian section of a mainstream grocery store).

Three Ladies Jasmine Rice - I've tried switching to brown rice several times, but I just can't do it.  Instead, I try to limit how often I eat white rice.

Cheats

These are the ingredients any self-respecting TV chef would NOT endorse -- but I find them invaluable for their convenience.  You'll notice a heavy preponderance of items from Trader Joe's...I'm a long time fan!

The Trader Joe's Staples
Grated Parmesan Cheese - the tub from the refrigerated cheese section with the green band
Garlic Naan
Frozen Vegetable Samosas - a great vehicle for the stash of green chutney we keep in the freezer
Organic Canned Garbanzo Beans
Organic Canned Black Beans
Frozen Roasted Corn - I've never liked biting corn off the cob and hate cutting it off the cob as well
Firm Tofu - Too much work to make my own when TJ's has a pretty good version.
Rustico Pomodoro Pasta Sauce (with the white label)
Dried Rigatoni Pasta
Solid White Albacore in Olive Oil (green can)
Olive Tapenade Spread

Gits Rava Idli Mix - Available from your local Indian grocer.  I make a decent idli, but love these all the same.

MTR Channa Masala Spice Mix

Equipment

I tend to be frugal about equipment and look for value over fancy/shiny stuff.  It took me a long time to finally realize that super-cheap doesn't always equal value.  I try not to buy items that can only be used for a single function.  I also try not to buy anything that's so expensive that I will be sad when I inevitable abuse/ruin it (no stainless steel All-Clad pans in my kitchen).

Vita-Mix:  Yes, it was expensive.  I agonized over buying one for years.  But it was worth every penny.

Lodge 10" cast-iron pan:  I also waited a long time to get this -- not sure what I was waiting for!