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A wonderful friend of mine asked me the other day to give her a list of items that I felt should be staples on the shelf of someone who wanted to move beyond homestyle cooking. Staples for the adventurous pantry, items that add that little bit of Shazaam to your meals. I gave her a few ideas and then told her would post the rest.
I am not sure the foodies are genetically different from other people. I have a hunch that it has to do with many things but that eating a variety of foods while you are growing up is a good start, although not the only piece to the puzzle. My mom did not like to cook and we had a variation of one of three or four meals every night. I was not allowed in the kitchen because I was messy. My kids hardly ever have eaten the same thing twice. They all have helped and do help in the kitchen and are exposed to a variety of tastes and textures, as well as cultures through the food we eat. Kyrie is an expressive foodie. You can see it on her when she eats. She is a picky eater, not that she refuses to eat something but she won’t eat more than a few bites of anything that isn’t to her liking. Yesterday she had a hot fudge sundae. Apparently it hit the spot:
Is that not the picture of a true foodie? I just love that picture!
Anyway. So, if you want to be a little more experimental here are the basics I think you should have. Everyone is going to have different ideas, of course, so take what you like and add what you like! These are not in any particular order or priority.
- Smoked Salt- This adds a layer of flavor that makes a difference in many foods. I have heard you can smoke it yourself but I haven’t done that yet.
- Chipotle Granules- I get the Archer Farms ones at Target. These are not canned but are dried chipotle in a tiny dice. You find them in the spices section. Adds smoky spicy heat.
- Several kinds of cinnamon- Head over to Penzey’s and choose a couple of the varietal cinnamons.
- Wasabi- A Japanese horseradish, wasabi comes in paste and powdered form. I prefer the powdered and you can add it to so many things for an intense heat. It doesn’t burn your tongue so much, but like horseradish, it clears your sinuses. Wasabi Mayo is a fantastic dip for raw snap peas, and one of my new addictions.
- Turbinado sugar- even if you aren’t interested in the health benefits, turbinado sugar is a nice, large crystal that adds texture when sprinkled on cookies. It melts down beautifully for creme brulees, and it is wonderful sprinkled over the crust of breads before baking.
- Fleur de Sel- a flaked sea salt, Fleur de Sel adds unique flavor to all kinds of things, including caramels and truffles.
- A good balsamic vinegar, preferably one in white and one dark. Don’t be afraid to pay a little more for this than you would normally…it is worth it.
- Local honey, raw and in as many flavors as is available in your area.
- Culinary lavender buds
- Rose water
- Lavender, Violet, Rose, and Elderberry Monin Syrups make wonderful flavorings and additions to Italian sodas, cakes, pies, custards, ice creams, and anything else…
- Loose leaf Earl Grey Tea, another great flavoring ingredient
- Pink, white, green, red, and black peppercorns…but not mixed
- Five spice powder
- Garam masala
- Walnut oil
- Smoked sesame oil
- Jalapeno jelly
- Bottled Key lime juice
- Agave
- Gluten (to help bread rise)
- A variety of flours: rye, graham, whole wheat, teff, etc…
- A variety of fresh peppers: anaheim, poblano, jalapeno,bonnet, serrano…
- Artichokes, canned or fozen
- Fontina cheese
- Smoked Gouda, Edam cheeses
- Whole milk buttermilk
- Truffle infused oil
- Kosher salt (should just be in everyone’s pantry)
- Wheat berries for pilafs and such
- Peanut oil- do not use anything else ever for frying! I use peanut oil for almost everything.
- Several varieties of olives
- Macadamia nuts
- Pignoli (pine nuts)
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh sage
- Fresh lemongrass
- Finishing salt
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Heirloom potatoes: rose, purple, etc
- Orzo, and any other pasta that you haven’t tried. Try flavored pastas, whole grain pastas, etc.
- Fresh fennel
- The organic baby leaf salads: herbs, mixed greens, etc.
- Seeds for sprouting. There are a ton of different kinds.
- Ice Cream salt
- Edible gold flake
- Edible glitter/metallic sprinkles
- Fondant
- Vanilla pods
- Cardamom
image:maryeaudet
I was really excited about this until I realized you didn’t go there. With Jim out of work we are having to put together meals from what we get from the food pantry, what people give us and what Jim has his parents get when they take him to the store. His basics are not my basics which makes it even more challenging … I have given up on complaining when he comes home with a 13 pound sack of baking soda, a gallon of runny hot sauce and Veveeta….. but figuring out what to do differently when all I have left is ground beef, canned diced tomatoes and pasta…. well, it becomes some sort of italian seasoning with pasta…. or if we have milk Jim will make country gravy before I can stop him. I have lost interest in cooking. My kitchen has been taken over and destroyed…. Help!!!!!! Oh wait. That is a whole different cry for help. Isn’t it? :/
Sorry Ginger.
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