10 Food items I always have in my pantry:

1. Black peppercorn to get freshly ground black pepper – always great for some added flavour

2. Lemons – nothing that some lemon juice and zest can’t give a lift to

3. Eggs – great for whipping up a last minute dish and good for holding together vegetables like diced bell peppers and tomatoes

4. Garlic – adds flavour to just about everything you cook it with. An ingredient that Chinese food can’t do without

5. Rice – I’m Chinese. Nuff said.

6. Vermicelli (aka beehoon / 米粉) – this reminds me of Singapore; it’s easy to whip up with a few condiments and ingredients

7. Salt – an ingredient that all dishes can’t do without; the basis of all seasoning

8. Soy sauce –  Integral to Chinese food which I cook pretty often

9. Olive oil – I use this for all my stir-fries and salads

10. Fresh red chillies – great for giving a spicy kick to anything