too much. for starters..i always seem to have a full fridge and pantry. no matter how small, or BIG..they are always overstocked (better safe than sorry..right?). but, there are a few all-stars that seem to make my grocery list everytime...a few ingredients this girl just can't live without...
1. cilantro. (i use this beautiful leaf of the young coriander plant in almost everything i cook..from breakfast eggs to creme fresh dessert..i just can't get enough of this zesty, citrus-y, california grown herb.)
a few ideas to get you started:
for best flavor, Cilantro should be crushed, or chopped. cilantro is a perfect addition to mexican dishes; add Cilantro to salsas and bean dips. mix crushed Cilantro into sour cream and use it as a topping for chili, tacos, or enchiladas. sprinkle Cilantro over stirfried vegetables for color and asian flavor. add Cilantro to sesame ginger dressing when making chinese chicken salad.
2. whipping cream. (there's nothing better than some home-made whipped cream atop your warm blueberry and cream-cheese stuffed frenchtoast in the morning..or afternoon..or evening. actually, theres nothing better than home-made whipped cream on basically anything...hot coco, fruit parfait, chocolate mousse, boyfriend-whoa! it really is the icing to the cake..really).
simple home-made whipped cream:
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar of choice (white, brown, powdered)
Add ingredients into mixing bowl or pour into bowl of standing electric mixer. beat on high until stiff peaks form or "whipped" texture appears. serve. on anything except your best friend's boyfriend (or girlfriend)...don't be hasty, this stuff is good.
flavor it! add any flavor extract to your mix before beating to create even more fun and flavorful cream. (my favorites are almond and lavender.)
don't have an electric mixer? go to walmart, target, or your nearest grocery store..you can get a cheap one that works decently for around $10.
3. cinnamon. (oh how i love you and your rich, pungent aroma. just like my good friend, cilantro..i put this delicious spice in a lot of my cooking (and thats an understatement.) the smell of this spice evokes dreams of warm pumpkin pie in november (topped with nothing other than home-made whipped cream of course), gooey cinnamon rolls..fresh from the oven, rich dark hot chocolate..need i say more?)
fun facts:
native to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), true cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) dates back in chinese writings to 2800 B.C., and is still known as kwai in the chinese language today. its botanical name derives from the Hebraic and Arabic term amomon, meaning fragrant spice plant. ancient egyptians used cinnamon in their embalming process. From their word for cannon, Italians called it canella, meaning "little tube," which aptly describes cinnamon sticks.
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