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Mollie's Kitchen Tips

Mollie's Grocery List

Mollie Katzen recommends grocery shopping with a list – it will keep you on track and make your trip more efficient and productive. This list is a great starting place, add in additional seasonal produce your family enjoys (seasonal produce is often relatively less expensive, too!).

PRODUCE

Fruit

  • Staples: apples, citrus fruit
  • Seasonal: peaches, berries, melons, etc.
  • Frozen: unsweetened berries when they’re not available fresh
  • Favorites (buy the fruit your family will eat!)

Vegetables

  • Staples: onion and garlic, carrots, potatoes
  • Year-round favorites: mushrooms (any kind, fresh or dried), bell pepper, broccoli, winter squash
  • Salad greens: spinach, romaine, arugula, chicory greens
  • Cooking greens: kale, chard, collard greens
  • Seasonal: asparagus, artichokes, summer squash, green beans, etc.
  • Frozen: corn, peas, spinach, edamame, artichoke hearts
  • Favorites (buy the vegetables your family will eat!)

DAIRY*

  • Milk and buttermilk
  • Cottage cheese
  • Plain Yogurt
  • Eggs
  • Cheese: Parmesan, sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella, ricotta

DELI / MEAT

  • Chicken
  • Ground turkey
  • Fish fillets
  • Cold sliced turkey or lean beef
  • Canned fish such as tuna or sardines
  • Tofu

PANTRY

  • Healthy oils: olive, canola
  • Vinegars: balsamic, wine, cider, rice
  • Mustard: Whole grain or Dijon
  • Nuts, especially walnuts
  • Oatmeal (not instant)
  • Whole grains such as barley, quinoa, bulgur, etc.
  • Whole grain pasta
  • Whole grain bread
  • Dried beans and/or lentils
  • Broth: chicken or vegetable (low-sodium)
  • Canned tomatoes (low-sodium)
  • Soy sauce (low-sodium)
  • Honey, maple syrup, molasses

HERBS & SPICES

  • Fresh: parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, mint, ginger
  • Dried: chili powder, chili flakes, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla bean, herbs when not available fresh (toss them after a year or so)
  • Salt and pepper

*Sometimes it is best to cook with whole milk or full fat cheese, however often it is better to choose low-fat or non-fat dairy options to keep calorie counts down.