Pantry Basics

The Gluten-Free Pantry
January 13, 2012 • Posted by Jean at Delightful Repast

People in greater numbers than ever before are discovering they have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten. Whether it’s a slight sensitivity or full-blown celiac disease, it calls for a complete overhaul of the pantry.

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Pantry Basics

The Holiday Pantry
November 30, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Right around this time of year, there’s lots of talk about making a list and checking it twice. When it comes to holiday baking, this is especially wise advice. Before you preheat the oven, add these ingredients to your shopping list, and you’ll be ready for almost any recipe that catches your eye during this busy baking season.

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Pantry Basics

Apple of My Eye
September 18, 2011 • Posted by Marisa McClellan

Last year, one of my favorite orchards offered an incredible deal. For just $20, they’d let you fill a half-bushel crate of apples up to the very top. That’s approximately 25 pounds of apples. Being one who cannot resist the allure of a good deal, I indulged in this bargain.

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Pantry Basics

Preserving Tomatoes: Tomato Ginger Jam
August 23, 2011 • Posted by Winnie Abramson

Ever since I started growing my own tomatoes, I looked forward to making tomato jam each summer. I make all sorts of salads, salsas, and sauces, too, but there's just something magical about this jam: the spices and the ginger make it reminiscent of an Indian chutney, but it's thick, perfectly sweet, and spreadable.

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Pantry Basics

Tomatillos: Salsa Verde
August 18, 2011 • Posted by Ethan Adeland

Show me someone who has never heard of salsa verde (green salsa) and I will show you someone who will fall in love with the taste of it as soon as they give it a try.

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Pantry Basics

Cold Peach & Mint Soup
August 16, 2011 • Posted by Ethan Adeland

I know, I know, cold soups aren't for everyone. But I've found that most people don't like the idea of a cold soup because they haven't actually tried it.

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Pantry Basics

Corn on the Cob 101
July 30, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Farmers’ markets were not a full-time affair growing up, so in the off-season, most of our vegetables came from a can. Come summertime, though, I remember by mom rifling through mounds of fresh-picked corn on the cob. She’d gently pull back the husks to peek at the top kernels, making sure it was worth the asking price. Try doing that today, and your friendly farmer may start giving you the evil eye.

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Pantry Basics

In Season: Eggplant
July 21, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I’ve been eating seasonally for some time now, and it certainly has its advantages. Every veggie and bite of fruit is bursting with flavor, having only been picked hours before, generally within 100 to 150 miles of where I live. The downside to this approach means I haven’t had eggplant parmigiana in the winter in about five years.

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Pantry Basics

Egg-free Homemade Pasta
July 1, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

One perk of my job as a food editor is getting a sneak peek at cookbooks before they hit shelves. While browsing through a new Italian one scheduled for release this fall, I was reminded there’s more than one way to make pasta at home. We often rely on eggs to make pasta at home, but there’s good news if you’re allergic to eggs. Next time you’re in the supermarket, read one of the labels and you’ll see most boxed pasta are made with semolina flour and water, not an egg in site. You can make this at home too.

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Pantry Basics

A Berry Easy Dessert
June 27, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Here in New York, we wait for the short window of time when strawberries come into season. While the hope is that each batch is filled with juicy, sweet berries, it’s inevitable that some need a little help. My solution for the tart berries in the bunch is to make jam. Recently, I realized if I took this one step further, I could have a tasty way to the beat the heat too with homemade strawberry frozen yogurt.

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Pantry Basics

A Fresh Take on Zucchini
June 8, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Every week I’m greeted with sightings of old favorites making a comeback at the farmers’ market. Recently, I blinked and rubbed my eyes in surprise to see the first zucchini of the season. June has snuck up on me, though, so perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise at all.

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Pantry Basics

Sweet Pea Pesto
June 3, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Rhubarb was the first sign of spring, its ruby stalks brightening up the rows of root vegetables at the farmers’ market. Now strawberries have made their presence known too. Before long, sweet peas will also be in abundance—I already spied a few, but they were expensive. Thankfully I have one last bag of fresh-frozen peas from last year’s harvest. I’m happy I planned ahead too, though a bag of frozen peas from the supermarket is perfectly fine in a pinch.

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Pantry Basics

A Savory Summer
May 19, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Before summer rears its hot, humid head, there are some winter dishes I’m not ready to bid adieu. While strolling the market a few months ago, I happened upon a pile of onions. Actually, it was more like tripped over them. Anyone who’s spent a winter season in the northeast knows January is the land of root vegetables and tubers.

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Pantry Basics

Make Every Day Earth Day
April 22, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Reduce, reuse and recycle is how I normally approach life. Each day, week, and month, I build on that philosophy as I learn new ways to lessen my family’s carbon footprint. The same can easily be applied to food. Before you scrape leftovers into the trashcan, think about how you can make them into something delicious again.

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Pantry Basics

A Better Butter
April 6, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Recently, at a local restaurant, my friends and I enjoyed the salted molasses butter that arrived in a tiny pot. One taste, and the oohs and ahhs flowed so freely, you’d have thought we were looking at baby pictures. Someone said “I wonder how you’d make it at home”. I promptly replied it’s easy—just whirl some softened butter with molasses and salt in a food processor. Turns out I was right...

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Pantry Basics

A Hint of Spring
March 17, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Four years ago this spring, my husband and I took a long awaited honeymoon to Venice. We hadn’t called it that officially, but with an almost three year old, we realized it was time for a kid-free getaway. Family graciously stepped in and our daughter was in good for care with her nana, uncles and aunts while we strolled the narrow, often confusing streets of one of the most romantic cities in the world.

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Pantry Basics

Quick & Easy Italian Flatbread
March 5, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

A few weeks ago I mentioned on twitter that I was making Italian-style quesadillas. Within minutes someone in Tuscany replied they really have a dish in Italy called piadina, and it’s very similar to what I was preparing for dinner. All it took was a few clicks and keystrokes, and bingo, the homemade flour tortillas I usually make just needed a few tweaks to become a quick and easy Italian flatbread.

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Pantry Basics

The Heat is On
February 23, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

The truth is there isn’t one definitive reason for high obesity rates or nutritionally void food choices. Schedules are busier than ever, processed foods are cheap, placed front and center at supermarkets—it’s a perfect storm of sorts. The most important change you can make to beat this battle of the bulge is to simply get cooking.

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Pantry Basics

How To Make Oat Flour
January 27, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I’ve never been one for resolutions, but as 2010 faded into my memory, I awoke with the goal of getting more whole grains into my family’s eating habits. Since I’m the head cook in our house, that is a very doable resolution. I’ve dabbled in whole wheat flours for years, but had never been wowed by any recipe to make it twice.

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Pantry Basics

Cabin Fever
January 24, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

The holiday may be over, but these fragrant, spice-scented muffins are the perfect treat year-round with an icy glass of milk for the kids—and hot cup of coffee for mom.

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Pantry Basics

A Real Steel
January 20, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Oatmeal is one of those foods I didn’t fully appreciate until adulthood. My early introductions were granules poured from a packet and mixed with water. I know instant oatmeal is a booming business, but it doesn’t qualify as the real thing, and in my case turned me off the delicious nutty grain for a good 20 years

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Pantry Basics

A Better Resolution
January 10, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I remember the first, and only, time I’d ever sipped fresh-made almond milk. It was a palate-opening experience, and I longed to recreate it at home. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.

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Pantry Basics

Cooking Under Pressure
January 6, 2011 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Winter is all about braising, but truth be told, I don’t have patience for traditional stew recipes. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll be ready to dig into a hearty meal simply by using a pressure cooker

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Pantry Basics

Crafty “Cooking”
December 16, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

When people hear homemade during the holidays, thoughts jump to gingerbread and sugar cookies. While those are fun to both give and receive, some gifts needn’t require turning on the oven. In fact, everyday household ingredients and kitchen “scraps” can be given a second life without stepping foot near a compost. All you need is a food processor and some imagination.

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Pantry Basics

Latkes 101
December 2, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

This week, Jewish homes around the world will be frying up latkes, also known as potato pancakes, in celebration of Hanukkah. Some foods are so delicious, though, they should be enjoyed year-round, and by everyone regardless of religion.

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Pantry Basics

Back to School
September 24, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

School lunch. In a perfect world, childhood nutrition would be a budget priority. All our kids would have access to healthful, tasty meals in their own school cafeterias. Until then, here are some time-tested tips for packing a healthy lunch your kids will actually eat.

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Pantry Basics

Under Pressure
September 15, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Between homework, shuttling to afterschool activities and playdates, dinner seems to be an elusive task this time of year. So what’s a busy person to do when they want home-cooking to be a regular part of their routine? The answer is as easy as investing in a pressure cooker.

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Pantry Basics

Breakfast for Dinner
September 7, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I love eggs. My kids love eggs. Besides their great taste, there are plenty of reasons to include eggs in a balanced diet. At a mere 68 calories, a single one delivers more than 5 grams of protein and generous amounts of essential amino acids. If you’re worried about cholesterol, take heart that as with any food, eating them in moderation can be a good thing.

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Pantry Basics

A New Brew
July 29, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

It’s ironic that most people need a cup of coffee to get going, yet putting up a pot requires a caffeine-energy boost. A good answer to this early morning java dilemma is cold-brewed coffee. Just set up a pot of French press with ground coffee and water from your Cuisinart CleanWater, and all you’ll need to do in the a.m. is pour and enjoy.

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Pantry Basics

Farro: Whole Grain Goodness
June 21, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I love white rice, and so do my daughters. I’m pretty sure they’d eat a bowl of it every night if left to their own devices. Since moderation is key, it’s important to find more nutritional grains to help satisfy their regular appetite for grains. Right now, I’d like to introduce you to a new staple to stock in your pantry: farro.

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Pantry Basics

Tale of Two Mayos
June 17, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

It’s the small things we tend to take most for granted. The same can be said about garnishes and condiments. Take mayonnaise for example. Even high-end sandwich shops use the standard jarred stuff, lavishing all the attention on the main ingredients. Being a purist, I set out recently to make mayonnaise from scratch.

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Pantry Basics

Banana Split, Coming Right Up!
June 10, 2010 • Posted by Rebecca Marber

Are you one of those people who just can’t resist ice cream? Are you sick of feeling guilty for finishing that pint all by yourself? Not to worry, there is a solution, and it lets you eat as much ice cream as you want without thinking twice!

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Pantry Basics

The Lean Green Smoothie Machine
June 3, 2010 • Posted by Rebecca Marber

In the early morning hours our metabolisms are just as sluggish as the rest of our bodies. So why make their jobs more difficult by feeding them complex carbs that are harder to digest? Before overloading your system with pancakes, waffles, and bagels, try drinking one of my Lean Green Smoothies to bring you energy that will get your day going in the right direction.

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Pantry Basics

Jam Session
April 30, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

I’m crazy about rhubarb and you should be too. Since it appeared last week, I’ve been making muffins mostly. Now I’m moving onto jam and decided to kick off the 2010 canning season. I decided to add in some frozen wild blueberries left from last year’s harvest. The result was a not-too-sweet jam perfect for toasted bread or warmed and spooned over Sunday brunch pancakes.

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Pantry Basics

Springtime Brunch
April 23, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Each passing weekend, I find myself competing for parking at the local farmer’s market. As the weather grows warmer and spring crops appear, everyone is ready to head outdoors from a long winter of root vegetables. While it does mean I have to set my alarm on a Saturday, the early wake up call means I also get to the market before the crowds and can have first pick of spring’s new arrivals.

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Pantry Basics

Wok This Way
March 19, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Wok cooking is a tasty solution to beating the clock and enjoying more time for fun in the sun as the weather warms up. Here are some of time-tested tricks for making stir-fries.

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Pantry Basics

Young at Heart
March 15, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Nutella has become such a favorite I decided to recreate the recipe by looking at the ingredients listed on the jar— except mine is free of the palm oil found in the domestically produced ones.

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Pantry Basics

Easy Asian
February 11, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

A well-stock cupboard—that includes sauces and seasonings, and veggies in the crisper make for an easy dinner solution. I had all I needed to make a peanuty noodle dish.

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Pantry Basics

A Well-Stocked Pantry
February 5, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

What if I told you a handful of carrots, celery, onions and a few other easy-to-find ingredients could save you over $100 in grocery shopping?

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Pantry Basics

New Year, New You
January 10, 2010 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

This granola and berry smoothie recipe is the perfect balance of fiber, calcium and fruit. It’s also a great on the go breakfast.

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Pantry Basics

Fiesta Time
December 17, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo

Nothing compares to refried beans made from scratch. All you need is a can of pinto beans, an onion, and some olive oil. My recipe also calls for bacon, which I use if I have some in the fridge or freezer. And if not, I don’t sweat it—they still taste pretty darn delicious and make for a vegetarian-friendly filling too.

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