The Sum of The Parts

Such equations are for mathematicians; in this article, you're going to see how even the simplest of ingredients can leave the palette tingling for more! You'll be surprised at the common everyday ingredients that go into making all those meals you've had, with "un-pronouncable" names. Is it any wonder that chefs blanch at the idea of having to part with their recipes!

To begin, we will discuss the basic stuff that needs to become a part of your refrigerator and larder scene now that you're going to be cooking your own meals. No more cobwebs and cans - you're renovating.

I've always had a preference for fresh ingredients. This does not, however, indicate that you travel from Anchorage to Derby, England, to pick thyme! A lot of fresh, wholesome and tasty vegetables, fruits and spices will be available at your supermarket or open-air weekend market.

Rather than making it a chore, or treating it as an extra effort, ingredient shopping can become a part of restocking that six-pack or walking out for T.V. dinners. You'll never notice the extra five minutes it takes to buy yourself the basic things.

In fact, the next time you're out here's a little checklist to help you out. Of course, you needn't follow it to the letter but at least two items from each category should do nicely:

Sauces:

1) A large bottle Tomato Ketchup / Puree
2) Chilli Sauce
3) Brown / White Vinegar
4) Soya Sauce
5) Red Wine
6) Mayo / Mustard

Spices:

1) Garlic (required)
2) White Pepper (it's easier than grinding fresh black)
3) Onions (1 kilogram)
4) Dry Chillies (if they're easy to find)
5) Ginger

Greens / Salads:

1) Tomatoes
2) Beans (French, Lima)
3) Cucumbers
4) Carrots

These keep quite well in the refrigerator

Meats

1) Eggs
2) Whatever you like to eat!
3) Chicken (quick to cook)

Tins:

1) Canned Pineapple
2) I'm not much of a fan for other stuff!
3) So you decide!

The recipes you'll learn will be a "choose and mix, stir and cook" of simple and easy-to-find stuff like I've listed above.

Feel free to buy whatever you want; there are no hard and fast rules. You'll notice that your bachelor refrigerator is looking more colorful now! The idea is to make this as simple as possible so don't lose sleep over stock-up.

The next time you're chatting up with buddies at Sunday market, take a minute to pick up some of these things so that we may begin course one next time! Happy futzing!

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