Here are some of the things I like to keep on hand for cooking:
- Raw Sugar – this is readily available in Hawaii, but a little more difficult to find in the other states. The Maui Raw Sugar has nice large granules. Turbinado Sugar is a good substitute for Raw Sugar. It has the same flavor quality (kind of molassassy)
- Salt – Rock salt as well as granulated. There are many types of salt if you are really into that stuff. Some swear by Kosher Salt, also there is smoked salt, ormus and other types of gourmet salt and non salt minerals that enhance flavors. If you are looking for just the basic, go with whatever salt you can find in the grocery store.
- Pepper – I like to grind my own as I use it, but if you’re not into that sort of thing you can buy the pre-ground stuff.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Oyster Sauce – readily available in Hawaii, possibly found in oriental section of your grocery store.
- Oil – Canola, Olive, Sesame and possibly Peanut. Smoke point is different on each oil. Canola and Peanut can hold up to the highest heat so always use these with deep frying and stir-frying. Also remember that Canola does not add flavor whereas olive, sesame and peanut oil do. Personally, I do not use Peanut Oil in cooking, but a great recipe for scar oil is 50% peanut oil and 50% olive oil – mix well and rub on any owie or even an old scar. This will help heal this area.
- Herbs – As I mentioned before I prefer fresh herbs, but these cannot be stored in your pantry. Here are a few of the herbs that I cannot do without in my pantry: Italian Seasoning (this is a mixture of basil, rosemary,parsley, and a few others), Basil, Cumin, Chili Powder, Thyme, Dill. There are several commercial mixtures that bear mentioning – Montreal Chicken Seasoning and Montreal Steak Seasoning http://www.mccormick.com/Products/GrillMates/. Also look into keeping Lawry’s Seasoned Salt http://www.lawrys.com/, and Spike by Modern Products http://www.herbspro.com/modernproducts.html on hand. I can’t imagine avocados or homemade soups without spike. Some others I like to keep on hand are Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Tarragon and Curry Powder. Curry Powder is actually a mixture of several different spices – cumin, cardamom, coriander, turmeric, dry mustard,cayenne among others. My favorite comes from a local health food store http://www.downtoearth.org/. The only other combo spices I keep on hand come from Costco www.Costco.com. Not all are listed on their website. I like the “Sweet Mesquite Seasoning” and the “Rustic Tuscan Seasoning”. One other combo to note from Costco is the “Herbed Seafood Rub”
- Other seasonal spices would include cloves (whole and ground) cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric and cardamon. Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cardamon can also fall under the baking category. One spice that I haven’t mentioned yet is Saffron. It seems very expensive to buy just a little bit of saffron, but since it is very aromatic, it will last a really long time. This is one of my favorite things to add to clam chowder.
- Vinegar – Apple cider (medicinal as well), White, Red Wine, Rice and Balsamic. Depending on your cooking style and taste preferences you will probably only have 2 or 3 of these on hand.
- Chicken Broth – very useful for all sorts of things, it’s not just for soup
- I may be adding to this list from time to time. Please let me know if there is something that you just cannot do without and I will add it to the list.
by rebecca
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