Some items I have right now that maybe aren't in every pantry.

Dried fruit (pineapples, mango, nectarines + the more typical raisins) chopped up for salads or as toppings on oatmeal or whatever.

Bulgar wheat and pearl barley that I mostly use as a base for grain salads but also as a replacement for rice just to mix things up.

Corn meal, use this for polenta but also as a non stick coating for bread or pizza dough.

Like to always have a can of coconut milk on hand for soups or whatever comes up.

Powdered milk, fresh always goes bad before I use it so I keep this for baking or making cream sauces.

Outside of the typical spices (in US) I keep mesquite powder and pure msg.

Edit: Tahini & canned chickpeas. Hummus is easy with these on hand and I can also use Tahini to make other dressings. I use chickpeas to bulk out pasta dishes or to make chickpea salad (sandwich filling). I also make homemade mayo with the bean water.