Here’s a list of things I generally have on hand in my kitchen that make creating something out of nothing a lot easier!

Olive Oil

I really don’t use butter in my kitchen, olive oil is a lot healthier for you and more versatile. Here are my favorites at the moment:

Ultima Pietra– Okay so this is not the olive oil I use when I’m cooking something like chicken or scrambling eggs. I do however almost always make my own salad dressing or finish a dish with Olive oil and this is the type of EVOO that I would use. It’s expensive… I get it but it’s also really amazing.

California Olive Ranch-This a good medium-range olive oil. I love to confit a chicken in olive oil instead of chicken fat (Thanks Alison Roman!) and when you do that you have to use a TON of oil so I would use something like this that has a good flavor but isn’t as expensive as something like Ultima Pietra.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic can be used for so many different things and is a must-have for any good cook! Here are a few I like having on hand:

Trader Joe’s Balsamic Vinegar of Modena– Basic and affordable balsamic vinegar to have on hand for recipes like my Balsamic Chicken.

Sur La Table Traditional Balsamic Vinegar– A little pricier but a great taste! My go-to for when I’m making an olive oil and balsamic dip for bread.

Supremo Italiano Balsamic Glaze– Glaze’s tend to be a lot thicker and are perfect for drizzling on top of chicken, steak, or even over bruschetta. This one is my all-time favorite!

Spices and Sauces

When you have a good assortment of spices you can create delicious meals out of the scraps in your pantry or fridge. I’m a firm believer in having all of these on hand.

Lemon Pepper-LIFE CHANGER. I use it on everything, but my favorite is avocado toast (with a little bit of the olive oil… SO GOOD!)

Oregano-This is just a good general spice to have on hand. I’ll sprinkle a little on popcorn to change things up. (Check out how to use it in my new Chicken and Herbs dish!)

Garlic Salt– Perfect for when plain salt is a little too boring or when you need to add “something” but are unsure what to a dish. Try it on quinoa… you won’t be disappointed!

Dill Weed-Fun way to change up your typical scrambled eggs or salmon

Rosemary-Perfect for chicken or veggies- See my Easy Pan Dinner for inspiration

Tuscan Bread-Dip Seasoning– So I know this is marketed as a bread dip but I use it for EVERYTHING. Sprinkle it on chicken, pork, veggies; you name it I’ve done it. I’ve also mixed it with Olive Oil as it suggests on the bottle and that’s amazing too.

Herbes De Provence– The perfect general spice blend! Use it on something simple like eggs, or more complex like a roast. The fact that it’s salt-free is a nice bonus!

Lake Shore Drive Seasoning– I’ve used this on things like chicken or eggs, but my personal favorite is adding it to any grain like pearl couscous (as used in my Weeknight Salmon Dinner) for a fun new twist!

7 Chili Blend Hot Pepper Seasoning– Some like it HOT… and I am one of those people! This spices up something like a boring quinoa dish but can also be used on eggs. One tip though, always go light at first and then add. You can always add, but you can’t always take away.

Chili Pepper Vinaigrette– Absolute perfection on salads, sandwiches, and Focaccia bread!

Chili Jam– This is what I use in my Sunday Summer Salmon recipe. It also works really well as a sauce for pork and on a charcuterie board mixed with a creamy cheese.

Stonewall Kitchen Apple Cranberry Chutney-Throw this in a small saucepan with a little bit of white wine to thin it out and use it as a sauce for chicken or pork… I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Cooking Gadgets

Lékué Popcorn Maker– Call me Oliva Pope because I can get down with a glass of wine and popcorn! Making it on your own with olive oil and fun spices makes it that much better (and healthier).

Cuisinart Egg Cooker– I’m a big hard/softboiled egg girl. My dad got me this as a present when I was in college and it has honestly changed my life. Cooks them perfectly EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Cookbooks that Changed the Game (for me anyway)

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child– I really don’t remember a time when my mother wasn’t obsessed with Julia Child. We used to sit in bed and watch her show and then my mom would try to recreate things from her cookbook. My mother was obsessed with French cooking and I absolutely inherited the obsession.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat– Okay, so I know most people cheat and watch the Netflix version of this book, and honestly the show is phenomenal and you should watch it, but you should also buy the book because it’s filled with amazing nuggets of information that are not in the show. Plus if you need to reference something you’re not going to hop on Netflix and forward through a bunch of episodes when you have a question about one small thing.

Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman– Alison totes her “unfussy” cooking style while still being elegant and I am 100% on the same page as her. She has challenged me to use ingredients I never would have (hello turmeric) and execute dishes that before reading her book terrified me! This is a must-read for anyone who loves to entertain but can also sometimes get stressed by the little things.

Dining in by Alison Roman– Basically just another amazing Alison Roman book… I love her vibe so I think both books pair really well together.