Most of the ingredients in this cookbook can be found in any supermarket, but a select few will require a trip to the health food store or, if you prefer, placing an order online. If you are new to vegan food, whole foods, or low-fat cooking, some of the ingredients in this cookbook might be unfamiliar to you, so check the Glossary of Ingredients to learn about them and where you can find them for the lowest price.
SHOPPING LIST
Below is my basic shopping list. If you have these ingredients on hand you can make almost anything in this cookbook without making a special trip to the grocery store. I highly recommend buying low-sodium and/or no-salt-added items whenever possible, particularly with canned goods such as tomatoes or beans, low-sodium soy sauce, and vegetable broth. I also recommend selecting organic and unsweetened varieties and avoiding items that contain refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fat (particularly hydrogenated fats), and anything that’s not vegan (contains dairy, meat, eggs, fish, or animal by-products such as gelatin, casein, or whey).
PANTRY:
agave nectar
almond extract
baking powder
baking soda
balsamic vinegar
brown rice
brown sugar
chickpea flour
confectioners’ sugar
distilled white vinegar
dried and/or canned beans
dried lentils and split peas
garlic
green chiles, canned
high-heat cooking spray such as coconut or safflower
instant oats
marinara sauce
old-fashioned rolled oats
onions
pure maple syrup
pure pumpkin, canned
quinoa
raisins
raw sugar
salsas
smooth peanut butter
sweet potatoes or yams
Tetra-packed shelf-stable tofu such as Mori-Nu
tomato paste
tomato sauce
tomatoes, canned
unsweetened applesauce
unsweetened cocoa
vanilla extract
vegetable broth and/or vegetable bouillon cubes
vital wheat gluten
whole-wheat or brown rice pasta
yellow cornmeal
barbecue sauce
carrots
celery
corn tortillas
Dijon mustard
firm and extra-firm tofu
fresh ginger root
hot sauce such as Tabasco
ketchup
lemon juice
lettuce or salad mixes
lime juice
low-sodium soy sauce
nondairy milks
nutritional yeast
prepared yellow mustard
fresh fruits and vegetables
whole-wheat breads and tortillas
FREEZER:
frozen bananas
frozen berries
mixed vegetables
white whole-wheat flour
whole-wheat buns & breads
yellow corn
SPICES:
black pepper
chili powder
chipotle powder
dried marjoram and/or oregano
dried rosemary
dried thyme
garam masla
garlic powder (granulated)
ground cinnamon
ground coriander
ground cumin
ground nutmeg
fine sea salt
Italian seasoning
mild curry powder
onion powder (granulated)
paprika
pumpkin pie spice
red pepper flakes
rubbed sage (not powdered)
turmeric
Tools are important, too. You’ll need pots and pans, a sharp knife, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, at least one cutting board, a baking sheet, a whisk and spatula, a strainer, grater, mortar and pestle, and a food processor or blender.