The New York Times’ Minimalist offers a list of ingredients you should make yourself (with instructions how to). The list includes stuff that I do use: croutons (can’t ever get them in the store, so I always make ‘em myself), bouillon cubes and bottled lemon juice (guilty as charged), spices older than a year (see, Mom?), dried parsley and basil (not these!), canned beans (dried beans are great, you just have to prepare them the day before). #