When you sit down to make a delicious meal, you'll find that you need a few kitchen items always on hand. Of course you need your pots and pans, knifes and cutting boards (we will touch base on those later), but when it comes to the ingredients, you should always have a some different types of oils and dried spices on hand to help prepare and enhance whatever it is you are cooking. Here are a few essentials that I like to keep in my kitchen at all time- I hope they help you in your creations along the way!
Oils
Cooking oils really help create a baselyine for any meal. They help to raise the heat, add flavor and keep everything moving around the pot or pan without making the food adhere to the bottom. I enjoy collecting different infused oils to cook with from time to time. They're great because you can get them based on your taste, cravings, and creativity, but ou basic plain oil is great for everyday cooking.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO if this was Rachel Ray's blog). It is a great oil to cook and build your flavor palate with, and realitivly inexpensive if you buy it in the larger size like I do. Its great for dipping, cooking and marinating.
Another great oil to have on hand is Vegetable Oil. This is a cheaper way to go in terms of oils, and can be used for baking, frying or more.
Spices
There are some basic spices you need to keep on hand to put in most dishes.
Kosher Course Salt- A little goes a long way, but it is great for soups, seasoning and more. You don't want to use it as general table salt, but great for food prep!
Pepper- Freshly ground, or already ground, pepper goes right along salt in any kitchen. Keep that on hand for any meal!
Italian Seasoning- such a great way to enhance your flavor palette, Italian seasoning combines basil, oregano, parsley and more in only a couple of shakes. Not just for Italian dishes!
Basil- when you don't want the more flavorful shakes of Italian seasoning, basil is a great herb to go on chicken, salads, and more.
Cumin- when you need to have a more smoky flavor, cumin is great to add to beef, steaks, and chili!
Mrs. Dash- trying to cut more salt out of your diet, Mrs. Dash is a great alternative to adding flavor without the sodium. The good Mrs. Dash comes in many flavor combinations, but you won't be sorry to add it to any meal.
Of course having a well rounded spice rack is going to help you create even more amazing flavors in your cooking, but the basics will help you start your journey. Enjoy the creating and, as always, Let's Cook!
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