You may have read our article on Essential Store Cupboard Ingredients, that gives you the rundown on what food to have in so that you are never short of a tasty meal, but what about those special evenings? If you are having a ‘date night’ or simply fancy trying something new, we take a look at 10 ingredients that will add flare to your pantry basics.
If you are fed up of the same old casserole, why not jazz it up your basic ingredients with a splash of pomegranate molasses and turn it into a Moroccan-style tagine. All of the basic ingredients, such as beef, lamb or chicken can stay the same as can the vegetables, all you need to do is add a few spices from your store cupboard and a few spoons of molasses. This is one of our favorite tagine recipes.
View Recipes
To add an extra depth of flavor to your pasta or rice dishes, it is worth spending an extra couple of dollars to buy a packet of porcini mushrooms, rather than your basic button mushrooms. These mushrooms may sound fancy, but they are so easy to prepare and can keep in the pantry for long periods. All you need to do is soak the mushrooms in water before using in recipes like this mushroom risotto.
View Recipes
Fed up of the same old salad dressings? Looking for something different to marinade your chicken great in? Look no further than a bottle of Japanese yuzu juice. The juice can me used in so many different ways, including salads, cocktails and fruit juices, to liven up your palate.
View Recipes
Although this Indian spice can be a little smelly when uncooked, it adds a great depth of flavor to curries and stews. This spice is used in both Indian and Iranian dishes and tastes of onions and leeks and can be a good replacement if you do not like too much garlic in your dishes. You can use in many Indian dishes, but we think it tastes great with vegetables and pulses, in recipes like this lentil dish.
View Recipes
We all know how good a homemade curry can taste, but let’s be honest, we do not always have the time to start one from scratch. Do not feel guilty if you turn to a jar of curry paste, but the next time you make a Thai curry, add a few kaffir lime leaves to give it an extra boost of fresh lime/lemon flavor. You can buy a jar of leaves or get them fresh from a specialist deli and store them in your freezer.
Fancy dinners do not have to be complicated, often just one ingredient can turn a plain meal into an all singing all dancing meal. If you want to liven up your steak sauce or gravies, add a couple of tablespoons of red wine jelly, to add an intense and fruity flavor to your meal. Red wine jelly also tastes great with cheese, for the next time you invite people over for drinks and snacks.
To get that true BBQ taste without the hassle, liquid smoke is a marinade that can be used before cooking your meat as you usually would. Liquid Smoke is made by passing water through a chamber filled with hickory smoke, and the result is a liquid with a concentrated BBQ smoke flavor. This stuff is pretty strong so a little bit goes a long way.
Tahini is a staple ingredient in many Greek Middle Eastern dishes. Made from 100% ground sesame seeds, tahini is used in everything from dips, bread and cakes and is very handy to have in your store cupboard. If you have an unexpected lunch guest you can whip up a batch of homemade hummus that will be much better than shop bought or for an evening meal you can make this chicken and tahini salad.
View Recipes
Rose syrup is a wonderfully fragrant ingredient that can be added to desserts such as rice pudding or cream cakes or it can be added to sparkling wine or non-alcoholic cocktails, to add a sense of glamour to your dishes and drinks. This rosesyrup ice-cream recipe is sure to be a winner at your next dinner party.
View Recipes
If you don’t have time to make fancy desserts, don’t fret as dulce de leche is one of the best sweet ingredients you can store in your pantry. This thick caramel sauce can be poured over store bought brownies or a simple fruit salad to add a touch of delicacy to your dessert. Be warned, once you taste dulce de leche, it is difficult to out down.
We hope you have fun trying out these ingredients, some of which may be new to you. Here’s to lots of great cooking, good luck!
to articles.rememberstuff.me
Remember Stuff for Foodies
Remember Stuff allows you to easily import, save and search your favorite recipes. You can also use it to find great wines, save great restaurants you want to visit, and in many other ways that make your life easier.
