I received an email from Organizational management, who shared
with me their blog post about stocking the kitchen. The post is entitled: Perfect Pantry: 80 Essential
Ingredients for a Well-Stocked Kitchen...
Spice Cupboard
If you aren’t familiar with go-to spices, you want to get
acquainted starting now. Spices can make all the difference in your cooking and
can take a cheap cut of meat from drab to fab. Technically, they aren’t all
spices, but they’re all used to add a kick to main dishes, soups and stews.
1. Garlic powder. For those evenings when you aren’t in the
mood to mince fresh garlic, garlic powders adds the same garlic-y goodness with
just a few sprinkles.
2. Sea salt. It’s healthier than regular salt and if you’re
a fan of coarse salt, sea salt will knock your socks off.
3. Various types of whole or ground pepper. Fresh ground
black pepper is brilliant, but check out white and pink pepper which add an
interesting dimension.
4. Sage. Perhaps a vastly underused spice, ground sage is
ideal for homemade rubs and marinades and pairs well with chicken.
5. Red chili flakes. A few red chili flakes can make all of
the difference when making chicken or beef.
6. Chili powder. Use it for basic chili recipes, but also
for fish tacos.
7. Bay leaves. Even a dried bay leaf can add significant
warmth to stews or a slow-cooked bolognese.
8. Ground coriander. We’d never choose ground coriander over
the real deal, but for some dishes, this spice adds a fresh element that can’t
be captured with anything else.
9. Onion powder. If your family is finicky about onions, use
onion powder to add the same aroma without getting bits of onion all over the
food.
10. Cumin. Ground cumin is one of our favorite spices to
work with, especially when making soups or working with pork.
11. Ground mustard. Add serious intensity to your beef with
ground mustard.
12. Cayenne pepper. It’s delicious for chicken and can also
be used to make Mexican hot chocolate.
13. Paprika. Paprika is a secret ingredient for many for
cooking up the perfect burger.
14. Basic steak seasoning. This can be a Montreal steak
seasoning or any seasoning meant for beef that your family enjoys.
15. Dried thyme. This is one dried herb that can almost
stand up to its fresh counterpart. We love it on pork and in breads.
Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies make a great snack on their own and add
some color and nutrition to many dishes.
16. Potatoes. You decide the type (we suggest red potatoes
and leaving the skin on), but potatoes are brilliant for roasting in the winter
and grilling in the summer.
17. Mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms can be a tad pricey
depending on where you live, but they add a hearty punch to many dishes and can
beef up quantity when you’re feeding guests.
18. Onions. Onions of every type rank high on our list of
veggies to have in the fridge at all times. Shallots, red onions, white onions
and chives are some of our favorites (and the most versatile).
19. Leafy green lettuce. Forget about the iceberg. There’s
no nutritional value and seldom any flavor. Instead go for romaine or any leafy
green lettuce that is rich in color and texture.
20. Bell peppers. No matter what color you choose, bell
peppers are delicious fresh or sauteed.
21. Garlic. If you can get used to adding fresh garlic to
many meals, you’ll discover that it adds a memorable flavor. If you don’t like
mincing, invest in a microplane and grate garlic directly over your saucepan or
pot.
22. Apples. A good apple makes a fabulous snack on its own,
but it also works well with real honey, plain yogurt and various cheeses.
23. Bananas. A banana works by itself and is brilliant on a
slice of toast with Nutella.
24. Lemons and limes. Both are a must for whipping up your
own quick marinades or garnishing a drink.
25. Oranges. Throw them in a salad or get your vitamin C by
noshing on it straight up.
*photo:google:yourmedguide
More from The Fiery Whisk:
Christmas in July: Tips and Tricks
Make your own chocolate hazelnut coffee
More from The Fiery Whisk:
Christmas in July: Tips and Tricks
Make your own chocolate hazelnut coffee
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