We currently have a desperately small kitchen for a couple who cook so much, yet fortunately we manage to cram it full of wonderful goodies with which to cook. Here is a breakdown of what takes permanent residence in our cupboards which we consider to be essential in the kitchen of everyone who has an interest in cooking (except a few of the more exotic spices). All eggs specified in recipes are assumed to be large and free-range.
| Spices | Condiments | Oils |
| Asafoetida | Balsamic vinegar | Extra virgin olive oil |
| Bay leaves | Cranberry sauce | Garlic (homemade) |
| BBQ seasoning | Dark soy sauce | Olive oil |
| Black peppercorns | Dijon mustard | Sesame |
| Brown mustard seeds | Fish sauce | Sunflower |
| Cajun spice | Harissa paste | Vegetable |
| Cayenne pepper | Hoisin sauce | |
| Chilli powder | Horseradish sauce | Fats |
| Chinese five spice | Lemon juice | Beef Suet |
| Cinnamon sticks | Light soy sauce | Lard |
| Colman’s English mustard powder | Lime juice | Margarine |
| Coriander seeds | Malt vinegar | Salted butter |
| Crushed chillies | Mango chutney | Unsalted butter |
| Cumin seeds | Mayonnaise | |
| Dried mint | Mint sauce | Canned Goods |
| Dried oregano | Red wine vinegar | Borlotti beans |
| Dried rosemary | Shaoxing rice wine | Butter beans |
| Dried sage | Tomato puree | Cannellini beans |
| Dried tarragon | White wine vinegar | Chickpeas |
| Dried thyme | Whole grain mustard | Chopped tomatoes |
| Fennel seeds | Worcestershire sauce | Haricot beans |
| Fenugreek seeds | Red kidney beans | |
| Garam masala | Grains and Pulses | |
| Green cardamom pods | Arborio rice | Sugars |
| Ground cinnamon | Basmati rice | Caster |
| Ground coriander | Bulgur wheat | Dark Muscavado |
| Ground cumin | Couscous | Demerara |
| Ground ginger | Dried borlotti beans | Granulated |
| Ground turmeric | Dried red lentils | Light Muscavado |
| Hot smoked paprika | Dried yellow split peas | Soft dark brown |
| Italian herb mix | Paella rice | Soft light brown |
| Kalonji seeds | Pearl barley | Vanilla (homemade) |
| Mild madras curry powder | Polenta | |
| Mixed herbs | Rolled oats | Flours |
| Nutmeg | Gram | |
| Paprika | Pasta | Plain |
| Pickling spice | Conchiglie | Self raising |
| Ras-el-Hanout | Lasange sheets | Strong white bread |
| Saffron | Wholegrain | |
| Sweet smoked paprika | Misc | |
| Tandoori masala powder | Dried yeast | |
| Thai seasoning | Citric acid | |
| Tikka powder | Gelatine leaves | |
| Vanilla pods | Cocoa powder | |
| Whole cloves | Tahini |
