What's an unusual ingredient, spice, or food item that you can't live without?
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For about seven years, I lived as a traveling software guy. Extended Stays were my preferred hotels: with a full sized fridge, and an okay stove - it's not a bad life. I would make up big batches of land gumbo and freeze most of it.
For soups and chilis, big batches and freezers is the only way to go.
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Basically the title. I want to learn more about some ingredients or food items that you use frequently in your cooking and that aren’t super common where you live.
Example: Roasted sesame oil. Didn’t know there was such a thing until a year ago, and I never want to miss it again.
Canned chipotles in adobo are really good additions to anything savory. Add it to mayo or mac n cheese for a smoky & tangy depth of flavor. Plus where I live it’s like 70¢ a can, which is a great price for how much it upgrades the dish.
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Fresh mint, not ridiculously uncommon or anything but I never see people buying it and its rarely called for in recipes I encounter. I use it in a ton of soups, salads, and dressings. Also its like my favorite flavor ever.
I don’t love mint as a food ingredient, but it’s good to have on-hand because you never know when you’re gonna need an emergency mojito.
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Basically the title. I want to learn more about some ingredients or food items that you use frequently in your cooking and that aren’t super common where you live.
Example: Roasted sesame oil. Didn’t know there was such a thing until a year ago, and I never want to miss it again.
Mushroom bouillon for sure. Toss it into any rice and get an amazing flavor.
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Basically the title. I want to learn more about some ingredients or food items that you use frequently in your cooking and that aren’t super common where you live.
Example: Roasted sesame oil. Didn’t know there was such a thing until a year ago, and I never want to miss it again.
Smoked paprika
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Smoked paprika
So amazing! Apparently there’s a lady at the grocery store that will literally buy out the entire stock when it comes in sometimes.
That lady is not me, because I’m a sad lady when it happens and I can’t buy any lol
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Will do!
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Also not made by Nestle!
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Basically the title. I want to learn more about some ingredients or food items that you use frequently in your cooking and that aren’t super common where you live.
Example: Roasted sesame oil. Didn’t know there was such a thing until a year ago, and I never want to miss it again.
I love sumac. The spice. I put it on everything. Amazing lemony taste with a beautiful red colour.
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I love sumac. The spice. I put it on everything. Amazing lemony taste with a beautiful red colour.
Also a big sumac fan. And zaatar, which contains lots.
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Smoked paprika
Smoked paprika is what made me go vegetarian without missing meat. That definitely has become a staple.
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A good rice cooker.
I use my zojirushi all the time and it makes perfect or near perfect rice every time.
For some easy umami, dried porcini mushrooms are great
I was thinking about getting a rice cooker. Do you have any recommendations?
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I grow my own!
I hope you’re fencing that shit in, because every time I tried to grow mint, it took over the entire pot and the ones next to it.
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Oh, I love Gochujang. Goes very well with the sesame oil, too!
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Also a big sumac fan. And zaatar, which contains lots.
Oh yes zaatar is so good
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I was thinking about getting a rice cooker. Do you have any recommendations?
We have a Zojirushi NP-HCC18, it’s a beast, you likely don’t need anything this crazy. Every Zojirushi that I’ve used has been great. ( the mildly smart ones, with buttons/menu options)
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So amazing! Apparently there’s a lady at the grocery store that will literally buy out the entire stock when it comes in sometimes.
That lady is not me, because I’m a sad lady when it happens and I can’t buy any lol
Penzey’s has outstanding smoked paprika if you’re in the US! I’m not sure they ship elsewhere though.
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Penzey’s has outstanding smoked paprika if you’re in the US! I’m not sure they ship elsewhere though.
Indeedy they do! They’re pricey though so I don’t order from them often. Mother will probably get me a gift card to them for the holidays so it’s just a matter of time!
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Basically the title. I want to learn more about some ingredients or food items that you use frequently in your cooking and that aren’t super common where you live.
Example: Roasted sesame oil. Didn’t know there was such a thing until a year ago, and I never want to miss it again.
Brit.
HP Sauce. Marmite. Worcestershire Sauce.
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I was thinking about getting a rice cooker. Do you have any recommendations?
I have a Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 that gets used 3-5 times a week since I got it 12 years ago. It’s an amazing kitchen tool and the rice comes out fantastic every time. Sometimes I’ll set it up to make steel cut oats so they are ready for me when I wake up in the morning.
