Uncommon Ingredients Explained

Over the years, Dave and I have enjoyed using of several unique products that can cause confusion for people who have never used them in the kitchen before. Whenever we talk about them, inevitably, people have questions. Today we have put together a list of 4 items that we personally use frequently, explaining what they are and how to use them.

Save Your Bacon

Anyone who has cooked bacon has seen the incredible amount of fat that accumulates in the pan. Municipalities have become aware that this type of grease is wreaking havoc in their septic pipes and they will often encourage citizens to refrain from dumping grease down the drain. Perhaps you are keeping it in an old soup can to throw out in the trash. However there are a few ways of reusing the fats and rich flavours left over from bacon cooking to your advantage.

Reuse In the Kitchen

Picture in your mind all the boxes, little strips of metal for ripping sheets off the roll, the cardboard roll itself, and all the time shopping to get these various rolls of items in your cupboard. By reusing these it results in a heck of a lot less packaging, fewer things to buy, less waste and less time in the grocery store. Reuse really does pay us back for the effort we put in.

The Ratio of Dry and Fresh Herbs

Dry herbs and fresh herbs are easily exchanged for one another in any recipe. Advice varies and it can be confusing – there are reasons for this varied advice.

Purpose Driven Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping can have a positive impact on the environment, your budget, the community you live in and the nutritional value of your meals. This is why we are seeing such an increase in the local food movement from “100 mile diet” campaigns to food action coalitions helping restaurants and grocery stores support local food suppliers.