Tuesday, November 30, 2010

How to stock your pantry for italian cooking

stock your pantry for italian cooking


It's interesting:
"Humorous wedding observations ... Traditional outfits * Scottish dress * Marquee * Wedding venue (golf club, castle, barn, posh) * Wedding location ..."

Have the joy of Italian kitchen cooking at your fingertips - stock your pantry now, reap the benefits later.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

  • Arborio Rice
  • Italian Herbs
  • Anchovies
  • Balsamic Vinegars
  • Canned Plum Tomatoes
  • Capers
  • Cheeses
  • Extra-virgin Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Pasta
  • Pine Nuts
  • Polenta
  • Prepared Pizzas Crusts And Dough
  • Sardines
  • Stocks And/or Canned Broths Or Bouillon Cubes
  • Tomato Paste
  • Wines

Instructions

    • 1

      Have a melange of Italian herbs handy. Include basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Invest in a nice pepper mill and whole peppercorns.

    • 2

      Store plenty of pastas, Arborio rice (for risotto), gnocchi and polenta - these are the basis for many a meal.

    • 3

      Always, always keep onions and some garlic laying around. Almost every Itailan dish includes these.

    • 4

      Buy canned tomato paste, Roma (plum) tomatoes and, for a pinch, premade sauces. But with some garlic, onions, and canned tomatoes, you can make your own sauce easily.

    • 5

      Lay in a good supply of wine, for both cooking and drinking. Pick dry white wines for cooking, tasty chianti for drinking.

    • 6

      Store canned broths, frozen stocks and/or boullion cubes for Italian stews and braises.

    • 7

      Keep at least one grating cheese on hand for pastas. Parmesan, pecorino and romano are good choices for grating. You might also stock mozzerella for melting and ricotta for baking.

    • 8

      Buy prepared pizza crusts and doughs. The wonton wrappers sold in most supermarkets are an great shortcut to quick and easy (while not entirely authentic) ravioli.

    • 9

      Use extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for marinades, sautes and bread. Combine the olive oil, pine nuts and fresh basil for homemade pesto.

    • 10

      Store canned sardines and anchovies. They're perfect in pastas and salads and on top of pizza. Some salty capers and good black olives never hurt either.

Tips &- Warnings

  • A simple sauce of sauteed onions and garlic simmered with canned tomatoes for 15 minutes or so is a great meal in a pinch. You can augment the sauce with red pepper flakes, some salty capers or olives, or sardines or anchovies. A can of good-quality tunafish, sauteed with the onions, works well too.


Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: stock your, stock your pantry, your pantry, canned tomatoes, italian cooking