So much of what you can cook at any given time depends on how well your pantry is stocked. As long as you have a few essentials on your shelves, you can add some fresh vegetables and a protein source and whip up a meal without too much fuss. Here are some basics that are always in my pantry:
Soy sauce
Mirin
Ground flaxseeds
Chia seeds
Walnuts, whole and ground
Wheat germ, ground
Walnut oil
Grapeseed oil
Kombu seaweed
Nori seaweed
Sesame seeds
Sesame oil
Rice wine vinegar
Olive oil
Seaweed flakes
Tahini
Dried soy beans
Puffed wheat
Puffed kamut
Dried shiso flakes
Hemp oil
Pumpkin seeds
Rice vinegar
All kinds of dried fruits and nuts—cranberries, raisins, strawberries, figs, dates, almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc.
Dried shiitake mushrooms
Raspberry vinegar
Oregano
Cloves
Basil
Pine nuts
Egg noodles
Soybean noodles
Rice noodles
Short grain white rice
Brown rice
Organic, low sodium chicken stock
Prepared tomato sauce