Things in My Fridge I Can't Live Without

I wish my fridge was this cool...

Moving to a new place forces you to evaluate some key realities of your life such as your daily habits, your social skills, your directional skills, your financial stability, your stress level, and and particularly for me, your essential kitchen items. I have moved a good handful of times in my life and each time the task of restocking a kitchen takes considerable time, money and patience. After living in Hong Kong for about three months, and then suddenly returning to DC, I have finally gotten my food stocks to a level that I can enjoy. Given the amount of energy I have expended over the past few weeks getting the kitchen adequately stocked, felt it was only appropriate to share those things which deserved such attention. Thus, I have decided to write a few posts dedicated to the foods I can't live with out. This week, the inaugural week, I honor my fridge.

I love to shop for groceries. It is a form of meditation for me; a way to relax and focus my mind on something productive and calming. I try to live by the rule, "shop along the outer edge of the grocery store" not primarily because its healthier (although that is a contributing factor) but because that's where the good stuff is. I always start in the produce section. Few things in life give me greater enjoyment than browsing the produce section of a well-stocked grocery store. All of the colors and textures and fabulous flavors you find in the produce section are one of my greatest cooking inspirations.

inspiration is all well and good, but if you don't have your basic tools at hand the most beautiful cherries or the freshest asparagus can't be fully utilized. So here are the things I try to keep on hand at all times.

Staples (ok, so most of these don't go in the fridge, but you get the point)
Yellow Onions
Garlic
Red Onions
Shallots
Waxy Potatoes
Hard Squash (acorn, butternut or spaghetti squash)
Ginger

Veggies
Carrots
Some sort of green veggie (zucchini, asparagus, green beans)
Mushrooms
bell peppers (both red and green if possible)
green onions

Fruits
Apples (Fuji, Gala, etc. but never Red Delicious)
Lemons
Limes (yes I need to have both)
Fresh Seasonal Fruit (strawberries, peaches, cherries depending on time of year)
Avocado
Tomatoes (either grape tomatoes, Roma, or heirloom these tend to have the best flavor)

Dairy
Plain nonfat yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Parmesan  Cheese
Soft Goat Cheese
Butter

Condiments
Mayonnaise
Siracha (Thai garlic chili sauce)
Salsa
Maple Syrup (Always the real stuff. Don't give me any of that log cabin fake maple syrup)
Mustard (Dijon, whole grain and sometimes yellow varieties)
Sweet Pickle Relish
Vinaigrette-style salad dressing

Misc.
Fresh Basil
Fresh Cilantro
Frozen Peas
Extra Firm Tofu
Eggs
Corn Tortillas (I greatly prefer corn over flour, and they keep better in the fridge)