Mark Bittman (him again?!) recently wrote this piece on “items you might spurn, along with some essential pantry and long-keeping refrigerator items you might consider” when stocking your cabinets. This article makes me want to throw out most of what’s in my cupboard…but it gave me a lot to think about, especially in regards to what I’ll be filling my pantry with once I get married. Some of the suggestions, such as using olive oil instead of aerosol cooking spray, are so easy and make so much sense that I’m not sure why we have Pam in our house. I’m a little overwhelmed by the notion of only using fresh spices, though I don’t deny their quality. I think jarred spices will remain essential to my cooking. I love the recommendation to use real Parmigiano-Reggiano instead of “shaky cheese,” especially since Bittman writes that it keeps for a year if wrapped well!
In other news which I hope is a sign of things to come, my mother purchased turkey cutlets for me at the supermarket yesterday, after I casually inquired whether or not our notoriously annoying store even carried them because I wanted to make a recipe from the current issue of “Every Day with Rachael Ray”. Who knew the store would actually have them and that my mother would get them for me! It’s nice to be encouraged in my culinary ventures.
Fresh Parm is always better :-)