After all of the holidays and preparing for Spring cleaning and gardening season, January is a pretty low-key month in my kitchen, but I still wanted to participate in Sherry's In My Kitchen since I've been enjoying reading them for quite a while.
I make almost all of our food from scratch. It's how my grandmother did and how I always have. Aside from loving to cook and eat, I like to know what is in my food. I do however have three favorite cheat items that I always have in the pantry to save me time when I'm in a pinch without sacrificing flavor.
Rao's is the only jarred pasta sauce I will use. The ingredients and the flavor are superb. Maya Kaimal's Tikka Masala is another amazing product. Maya is a chef, author and entrepreneur that has a line of amazing Indian sauces.
I also always have a jar of Better Than Bouillion. It takes just half a teaspoon to add amazing flavor to so many dishes.
We order fish twice a year and the first shipment arrived in January. Since moving away from Florida we've been purchasing Sea to Table for years and I've never been disappointed. I love knowing where my food comes from and I highly recommend. The Main Red Fish and Coho Salmon are my favorites.
I've been hearing a lot about Ella Risbridger's books Midnight Chicken and The Year of Miracles, so I had to order them. I've just started reading but I can already tell I am going to LOVE these books. They are part memoir, part cookbook and beautifully illustrated.
That is all I have for January. I hope everyone is staying well and safe. Thank you sherrys pickings for hosting.
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I totally agree with you regarding Ella Risbridger's books. They are both wonderful. I will try that Tikka Masala sauce, I believe it's in our grocery stores. I haven't seen the marinara one though.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz. I just started reading them but know I'm going to love them. Both sauces are delicious and usually pretty easy to find. Thank you for stopping by.
Deletethanks for joining us Lori for IMK. Yes I love both of ella's books, but esp. the year of miracles. It's always handy to have some ready made things in the pantry. I'm fussy about foods :=) Sadly the curry paste i used to buy is no longer available, so i have to make my own these days. have a good month.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting. We are both fussy about food as well, so I totally get it. I hope you have a good month also.
DeleteI’ve seen the first two products in the store. I know that Rao is pricier, but I will have to check the ingredients and if it’s a lot less sodium, I will try it. I’m making more and more from scratch. I just couldn’t do it when my kids were here because there was no time. I wish I had made them healthier meals, but I could barely get to the store back then.
ReplyDeleteI usually make my pasta sauce from scratch so the few times I want something quicker I can justify it being a bit more expensive. From scratch is what is best for us because a lot of different chemicals in packaged foods really do a number on my stomach. It took a long time with an elimination diet and allergy specialist to finally find out the biggest problem was glyphosate which is in a number of things.
DeleteThis is why I love your blog! We are on the exact same page when it comes to food & cooking. Usually from scratch and fresh ingredients. I grew up by the ocean and fresh seafood was always readily available (even though I don't eat seafood). You could get the catch of the day fresh from the boat - some fisherman would sell it by the roadside too. They'll even fillet the fish for you.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd give that Roa's sauce a try, but Kroger charges $9 for it! Yikes. Walmart has a much lower price, so I'll get some there. I grew up on Indian food, so I'm always mixing my own spices (not that I'm an expert though). I have to check the books too. Thank you for sharing Lori. Hope you & the big guy have a wonderful weekend!
Well thank you!! We were able to get good local fish in Florida but not here so ordering it is the next best step for us. $9 is very high. I pay about $6 here. I don't always use it but like to have one on hand just in case. Same for the Indian food. I usually make my own spices but love Maya's when I'm in a hurry. Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well!
DeleteBetter Than Bullion is definitely an essential kitchen treasure!
ReplyDeleteIt really is.
DeleteThank you for the fish recommendation! I am heading over there now! Love your blog, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Billie Jo. The fish is really good and I'm not exactly a fish lover but try to eat it for the health benefits.
DeleteI have glanced through one of Ella Risbridger's books previously but I still need to have a closer look!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying so far.
DeleteJust the covers of those books are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could cook everything from scratch but I've become a very lazy cook. I hate cooking for one so fast and simple is usually the plan. Unfortunately that doesn't add up to healthy.
The illustrations are so nice and so far her writing style is wonderful.
DeleteHi Lori~ I've never been disappointed with, Rao's products, we love them. Your cookbooks look so interesting! I love reading cookbooks especially if there is a story behind the recipes. Barb
ReplyDeleteHi Barb. I usually make sauce but when I can't I like having a jar available. If you love reading cookbooks with a story, I highly recommend them both.
DeleteRao's is awesome when I'm being picky about my sauces. I still like Newman's Own Sockarooni every once in awhile too.
ReplyDeleteI also like Newman's Own and used it in Florida but I have a hard time finding it here.
DeleteThose certainly are beautiful looking books!
ReplyDeleteThey really are Jeanette. I'm really enjoying them.
DeleteI loved Midnight Chicken! Thanks for the sauce recommendations too!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving it too!! You are welcome.
DeleteI bet the fish is amazing. I will have to check out the books.
ReplyDeleteIt is Cheryl and I always find such good discounts, that makes the price right. I'm enjoying the books.
DeleteIt's always Halloween a bit in my house.
ReplyDeleteI like that about you.
DeleteLori I have loved finding your blog on IMK. I try to cook everything from scratch as well, but just sometimes we need to have a couple of reliable sauces on hand.I hope my local library has the books you mention,they sound great, so many books to read, have to make the time. Such a good way to buy fish, we love it and buy from a local fisherman. Take care, Pauline x
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline. Thank you for dropping by. Yes, sometimes we need a few kitchen cheats to get through the difficult days. I struggle to find time to read also so usually I just have to make the time. I wish we had a local fisherman to buy from. We did in Florida and I miss it.
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