Cooking Staples

Seeing how I am in such a food talking mood today, I decided to post what I feel are staples in my kitchen. In my opinion, any person can follow a recipe, but a cook can make a recipe their own with the correct seasonings. I always make sure to have the following spices on hand:

• Garlic Powder (not Garlic Salt- as I like a LOT of garlic in my dishes and using Garlic Salt can make a dish too salty)
• Onion Powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dried Basil (perfect for Italian Cooking)
• Oregano (ditto)
• Cajun Seasoning (such as Slap yo Mamma or Tony Chacheres-use like salt)
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice

Ok, so those are just a few. You'd be better off getting a spice rack that has most of these on it, and then supplementing the rest. Try new seasonings too. You never know what you will like.

Now for other items. I always keep rice (different varieties, but mainly long grain), a variety of noodles, all-purpose flour, sugar (white, powdered, and brown),  baking powder, baking soda, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, powdered buttermilk, bread, milk, canned veggies (any variety the family likes), plus many more.

Now, buy meat when it is on sale. If you think you will use it, buy it and freeze it. I usually wait until the price gets reduced. As long as you freeze it by the day of sale, you should be ok. We recently switched to ground turkey from ground beef to try and be healthier. Ironically, we have found it to be WAY cheaper than the ground beef offered at our stores. I usually buy 3 lbs for $5. I also try to keep some type of pork on hand, some type of stew meat, and I ALWAYS have frozen chicken. I usually buy the already frozen boneless chicken. This way I do not have to separate it after purchase to freeze it. Plus it is easier to grab one at a time instead of defrosting more than you need. I have also found it cheaper at times too to purchase them this way. Also, buy in bulk if it is cheaper. You can separate it when you get home and seal it is individual bags for later use.

Now, with these main staples, you have tons of different options for meals. Of course I did not add everything I keep in stock, but it is a start for anyone looking to keep a base.

I might start posting recipes on here too. Cooking is my passion. So if it makes me happy, why not share the love. :)

Canning... Yay!!

So I got my Ball Home Canning Kit delivered today, and I am sooooo excited to try it. Unfortunately my largest pot is not big enough to use, so it is a trip to Wal-Mart tomorrow to get supplies and a new pot. I cannot wait to try out some new recipes with family and friends! I might try some practice runs before then though. I don't want to poison anyone! Lol. Plus that way I can try out some good recipes to share with everybody.

Ramblings....

I am very lucky to have a husband like James. He is able to get my mind off of the stressful and calm me with just a hug. Still, at times I believe he thinks that I am crazy, and honestly, I don't blame him.

So news on us. We are still waiting for an answer on whether or not we will close on our house either today or tomorrow. Honestly, if everything goes well today, I am thinking more along the line of tomorrow. Of course pessimistic me thinks that everything will go wrong and we will be stuck without a house. Hence why I am so stressed. I will just be happy when we are in our home and no longer waiting on a bank to decide the fate of our dwelling.

Speaking of the house, we drove by there yesterday and it is completely empty. The guy moved out and left all the blinds open. Why? I don't know, but I am sure that we looked like a bunch of crazy stalkers looking in all of the windows. Lol. I am surprised no one called the cops. Better yet, the guy who lives across the street IS a cop. Maybe they know we bought the house??? Eh...

Also over the weekend, we went to browse furniture for the new place and stopped at the book store to relax. We went into Barnes and Noble, got smoothies and hot chocolate, and wandered through the store aimlessly looking at books. Of course my obsession with cook books stopped me at the entrance with the clearance rack, while James and the kids went missing in the store. Still, such a selection! I could buy them all and be as happy as can be. I grabbed a chicken cook book and a vegetarian cook book (for my diet of course) and wandered off to find the family. I found them over in the children's section, and I also found some of the most awesome books ever!!

First: Pink Princess Tea Parties

A cook book dedicated to making an awesome tea party! I want to throw one now.

Second: The Unofficial Harry Potter Cook Book

Recipes from the story?!?! Awesome! No need to say more. :-)

And finally (and I nearly died when I saw this), the most awesome thing EVER:

Zombies vs. Unicorns

Yes it is real. Yes it was in the kid section (I don't know why, but whatever). But I do know that this has to be one of the most awesome books ever thought of! Few know of my zombie obsession, and I might have just found another gem to add to my collection.

I will leave this post for today without any more stress from me, but with the greatness of these books and the cha-ching sound of my credit card going through Amazon.com. Have a good one!