so i was reading an article where they asked all the top chefs what they keep in
their pantry, and they all said something different depending on what kind of
chef they were. The Italian chef had pasta the Chinese chef had soy sauce
etc.
so here is my conclusion:
Keep everythiing in your pantry!!
bascially have the staples of all different types of cuisines so on a given night you can make whatever you feel like with the fresh meat and veggies that you just brought home, and the next night you can have something else iwth the leftovers.
In my pantry i have
some italian
tomato sauce parmasean pesto pasta (of course) and rice and italian seasoning (I recommend spending some $$ and getting a good mix its really handy)
oh and polenta which i actually havent eaten yet, but i plan to one day!
some mexican
dried chilies (arbols the little hot ones and ancho and guajillos for everything else) I have a tortilla press and maseca but im hardcore about mexican food if you love mexican food i recommend because you can make sopes and tostadas and all kinds of things in addition to some better tortillas. but its also a lot easier to have the tortillas.
tomato paste, chicken buillon and oregano basil and majoram
some asian
ginger anise star seed and sweet basil
stir fry sauce soy sauce fish sauce and plum sauce
all kinds of noodles
some indian (pakistani)
cumin coriander tumeric garam masala cardemom
dried lentils and chickpeas
now for almost everything you need
potatos
chicken broth
onions
olive oil
also good to know is that mexican converts into thai very easily. both require lots of chili lime and cilantro (which you must buy fresh) so i fyou make tacos one night, the next night you can make a stir fry or thai styled soup)
some random things ive learned over the year
1. if im hungry while im cooking i will suck on a hard candy and it will stop me from eating the food as i cook it
2. its often daunting to cook alone so having some good upbeat music or friends around is important, lately ive been into salsa
3 when you buy meat and veggies its ok to splurge and get the stuff you like (esp veggies) Ive realized I only like the expensive ones, like asparagus, red bell pepper and mushrooms (not the white button ones) oh and baby greens. its also worth splurging on pre cut stuff if it makes it easier to cook. i bought some precut carrots and as a result make much more salads because all i have to do is cut the tomato and pour on the dressing. (instead of cutting up lettuce carrots AND tomatos) same goes for fruit, splurge because all you have to do is eat it! no cooking necessary, plus very portable.
4. thanks to aunt bernie, i love cooking with my apron, that way i feel like im in cooking mode when i cook!
ok good luck cooking everyone! hope this helps
so here is my conclusion:
Keep everythiing in your pantry!!
bascially have the staples of all different types of cuisines so on a given night you can make whatever you feel like with the fresh meat and veggies that you just brought home, and the next night you can have something else iwth the leftovers.
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In my pantry i have
some italian
tomato sauce parmasean pesto pasta (of course) and rice and italian seasoning (I recommend spending some $$ and getting a good mix its really handy)
oh and polenta which i actually havent eaten yet, but i plan to one day!
some mexican
dried chilies (arbols the little hot ones and ancho and guajillos for everything else) I have a tortilla press and maseca but im hardcore about mexican food if you love mexican food i recommend because you can make sopes and tostadas and all kinds of things in addition to some better tortillas. but its also a lot easier to have the tortillas.
tomato paste, chicken buillon and oregano basil and majoram
some asian
ginger anise star seed and sweet basil
stir fry sauce soy sauce fish sauce and plum sauce
all kinds of noodles
some indian (pakistani)
cumin coriander tumeric garam masala cardemom
dried lentils and chickpeas
now for almost everything you need
potatos
chicken broth
onions
olive oil
also good to know is that mexican converts into thai very easily. both require lots of chili lime and cilantro (which you must buy fresh) so i fyou make tacos one night, the next night you can make a stir fry or thai styled soup)
some random things ive learned over the year
1. if im hungry while im cooking i will suck on a hard candy and it will stop me from eating the food as i cook it
2. its often daunting to cook alone so having some good upbeat music or friends around is important, lately ive been into salsa
3 when you buy meat and veggies its ok to splurge and get the stuff you like (esp veggies) Ive realized I only like the expensive ones, like asparagus, red bell pepper and mushrooms (not the white button ones) oh and baby greens. its also worth splurging on pre cut stuff if it makes it easier to cook. i bought some precut carrots and as a result make much more salads because all i have to do is cut the tomato and pour on the dressing. (instead of cutting up lettuce carrots AND tomatos) same goes for fruit, splurge because all you have to do is eat it! no cooking necessary, plus very portable.
4. thanks to aunt bernie, i love cooking with my apron, that way i feel like im in cooking mode when i cook!
ok good luck cooking everyone! hope this helps
on August 14, 2006, 1:53 pm
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