I'll Show You My Cupboards, If You Show Me Yours...

Posted by Lesli

Is your kitchen as stocked as it should be? Sometimes a recipe I want to make calls for one key ingredient that I don't have on hand. I have one word for you - Improvise, Improvise, Improvise - okay, that's three words...For example, there's no reason to run to the store when a recipe calls for scallions - onions will do, or bread crumbs - hello, got a loaf of bread? Make your own...If a recipe calls for basil, live on the edge - throw in oregano!

By substituting ingredients, you might come across a taste sensation that you might never have discovered otherwise. How else are recipes invented? Likely by mistake, but mostly because someone didn't have the "right" ingredient on hand. I say go crazy! Be an adventurer in your own kitchen!

Okay, sometimes I do run into problems when I want to make a roast, and..well, I don't have a roast, or maybe I want to make mashed potatoes and I don't have potatoes...those are the times that I wish I was a little more organized...(Wish-Smish, I still do pretty good with the improvisation thing.) Usually these are the staples that I always have in my kitchen:

Olive Oil
Garlic (Can you ever have enough?)
Onions
Pasta, Rice
Pasta Sauce
Lemon Juice, Lime Juice
Canned Tomatoes, Sundried Tomatoes, Roasted Red Peppers
Canned Chickpeas
Chicken Broth
Red Wine Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar
Oregano, Basil, Sage, Cumin, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Chili Powder, Ground Cayenne Pepper,
Salt
Bacon (Makes anything taste good!)
Parmesan Cheese, Feta Cheese, Mozzarella
Olives, Avocados
Honey, Molasses
Mustard
Soy Sauce
Flour, Sugar, Cornstarch, Baking Soda & Powder

With these items, I know that with a few fresh vegetables, some chicken or beef and maybe a baguette, that I'll always be able to whip up a feast...I'm curious, if you were granted one staple ingredient to have with you on a desert island - what would it be?

If you're feeling really adventurous, I challenge you to enter Canadian Living's Kitchen Aid Cook of the Year Contest. According to the rules, you need to choose three specific ingredients from a supplied list, you can choose freebies from a supplied list and then you're allowed up to four "wild card" ingredients in creating your recipe. Check it out:

http://www.canadianliving.com/CanadianLiving/client/en/Food/DetailNews.asp?idnews=236981

TAGS: Canadian Living, Contest, Cook, Cupboard, Feast, Improvise, Ingredients, Kitchen, Recipe, Staple, Stocked, Substitute
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