Contrary to what most people might tell you, 21st century Indian cooking does not need a cupboard full of ingredients to make it tasty or authentic.

I believe that one should store key ingredients (and so save oneself the hassle of having to throw away unused spices, lentils etc after months of not using them!) and then buy small quantities of the others as you need them. Here's my must have list of essential cupboard ingredients for a perfectly gorgeous Indian meal

1. Spices and Mixtures - black mustard seeds
   bay leaf
   cumin seeds
   black peppercorns
   turmeric powder
   cloves
   red chilli powder
   cordamom
   coriander seed powder
   garam masala powder
2. Cans of various beans, tomatoes, coconut milk
3. Nuts - Cashew, peanut
4. Tamarind paste
5. Dessicated coconut
6. Sunflower oil
7. Salt and sugar
8. Rice
9. Whole wheat flour
10. A variety of lentils and dried beans - yellow, green, black
11. Onions
12. Ginger paste, garlic paste
13. Poppadoms