15 essential recipes every cook should know

It’s easier than ever to be a domestic goddess – all you need to do is be armed with these fridge and pantry staples at all times!

If you’re looking to become the ultimate queen of your kitchen, there are roughly 15 essential items you will need to have around so that no recipe will escape you.

Here are the most important things every kitchen should have lying around, and a few recipes on how to make them yourself courtesy of taste.com.au.

Ricotta

It’s surprisingly satisfying to make cheese from scratch – and anyone can manage it. You’ll love having it in the fridge to serve with crackers and chutney, in sandwiches or crumbled over a simple pasta dish.

Knowing this recipe will truly level up your kitchen game.

Jam

Making jam from scratch doesn’t have to involve hours of sweating over a stove and sterilised jars – this recipe only takes 12 minutes to make in the microwave!

Perfect for keeping in the fridge.

Tahini

Taste’s food editor Katrina says she always has this versatile sesame paste on hand to transform dishes into something really special. She says: “Tahini is a must in homemade hummus but also try a tablespoon in power balls and slices.” We love this tasty dressing with miso paste, garlic and rice wine vinegar, perfect with Asian noodle salad or salmon.

The perfect dressing is just a few seconds away.

Yoghurt

Always have a tub of fresh yoghurt on hand, ready to whip up some bircher muesli, a minted raita or a creamy salad dressing. Home cooking queen… for minimal effort.

Yoghurt is essential in so many tasty recipes.

Homemade vinaigrette

If you want lunch or dinner guests to see you as an effortless host, don’t get your dressing from a bottle! It only takes a few minutes to throw together this delightful balsamic drizzle.

Become the ultimate host with this recipe.

Dark chocolate

We’re not surprised that the experts list quality chocolate as a pantry must-have. Michelle says: “Dark cooking chocolate is essential for home baking. Break up large pieces and add to your favourite biscuit dough (we love these peanut butter and dark chocolate cookies) or melt some with a touch of coconut oil for homemade ice-cream topping.”

Just going to say it, dark chocolate is superior.

Curry paste

Half an hour spent making a curry paste at the weekend will give you the base you need for a quick, easy and delicious home-cooked meal during the week. This Thai red one is a winner among the taste team and our members.

You'll use this all the time.

Passata

Either make your own passata to keep in the fridge or keep a quality bottle in the pantry in case of dinner emergencies. Katrina says: “This is so handy when you’re scrambling for dinner. Try a quick pasta sauce with sauteed eggplant, garlic and chilli flakes, simmered in passata with a splash of balsamic vinegar.” We love these loaded meatballs too.

With this recipe, you'll become unstoppable in the kitchen.

Rolled oats

Having rolled oats in the cupboard means you can make homemade muesli at the drop of a hat, but they’re so much more than that. Katrina says: “Throw a handful into vegetable soup for the last 10 minutes of cooking time before pureeing until smooth.” Genius!

The perfect way to start the day.

Fresh herbs

Grow your own fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, coriander and thyme to add a bit of creative pizzazz to any dish. If they grow in abundance, you can always whizz them into a pesto, chimichurri or salsa verde in the style of the ultimate home cook.

Fresh herbs are an essential in every kitchen.

Dates

These squidgy little dried fruits are great to have in the fridge for impromptu healthy baking or snacks. The kids will love the fact that they taste like caramel but you’ll love the fact that they’re not full of refined sugar. We love using them to sweeten snack balls – like Australia’s #1 bliss ball recipe.

An essential piece of so many recipes.

Dukkah

Michelle says: “This is one of those ingredients that adds that wow-factor to the simplest of dishes. Sprinkle it on fried eggs with goat’s cheese, on toast for a brekkie twist or jazz up your roast veggies with a sprinkle before serving.”

Capers

“What are those delicious little crispy bits in your haloumi salad?” all your eager friends will ask. “Oh, just some capers I found in the cupboard and fried up,” you’ll respond with a nonchalant shrug.

Absolutely delicious and perfect to serve as an entree.

Rub

A DIY rub is great to have stored away in an airtight container to liven up grilled or BBQ’d fish, meat and veggies. We love this Baharat version with smoked paprika, cumin and coriander.

An essential you probably don't have in the kitchen right now.

Sourdough starter

There is nothing better than the taste (or smell) of homemade bread. To make a sourdough starter, follow Step 1 of this recipe and you’ll be well on your way to receiving your homecooking crown.

An incredibly important recipe to know.

Originally published as 15 essential recipes every cook should know