10
PANTRY STAPLES FOR BEST RESULTS
CooksRecipes.com highly recommends
the following food products as staples in your kitchen pantry
for the best end result and taste.
1. Gourmet Coarse Salt (Kosher
Salt - an additive-free coarse-grained salt. Used by
gourmet cooks and chefs who prefer its texture and flavor. See
"Fascinating Facts on Salt"
2. Whole Black Peppercorns - The worlds' most popular spice, pepper in one
form or other is used around the world to enhance the flavor
of both savory and sweet dishes. Because it stimulates gastric
juices, it delivers a digestive bonus as well. Whole peppercorns
freshly ground with a pepper mill deliver more flavor than does
preground pepper, which loses its flavor fairly quickly. Whole
dried peppercorns can be stored in a cool, dark place for about
a year; ground pepper will keep its flavor for about 4 months.
3. Jasmine Rice - The world's best everyday rice. An
aromatic rice from Thailand that has a flavor and fragrance comparable
to the expensive Basmati rice from India, at a fraction of the
cost. A beautiful long grain rice with a distinct aroma similar
to corn.
4. Pure Vanilla Extract - The vanilla bean was once considered
an aphrodisiac, and was so rare that it was reserved for royalty.
Pure vanilla extract is about twice as expensive as its imitation
counterpart, but there's no real comparison in flavor intensity
and quality, and only about half the amount is needed.
5. Canola Oil - For everyday cooking. A health conscious
alternative to other vegetable oils because it's been discovered
to be lower in saturated fat (about 6 percent) than any other
oil. This compares to the saturated fat content of peanut oil
(about 18 percent) and palm oil (at an incredibly high 79 percent).
Canola oil contains more cholesterol-balancing monounsaturated
fat than any oil except olive oil. It also has the distinction
of containing Omega-3 fatty acids, the wonder polyunsaturated
fat reputed to not only lower both cholesterol and triglycerides,
but to contribute to brain growth and development as well. The
bland-tasting oil is suitable both for cooking and for salad
dressings.
6. Dutch Processed Cocoa
Powder - The richer, darker Dutch cocoa has
been treated with an alkali, which helps neutralize cocoa's natural
acidity. You will taste the difference for it produces a richly
intense, yet smooth chocolate flavor.
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