Dec 09 2008
The key to having a restaurant at home
What is the one thing that a restaurant always has? You see it on Top Chef and all the food tv shows. The one thing that restaurants always have to produce amazing food is a stocked kitchen.
The kitchen is where our energy comes from. Even in Asian cultures the kitchen is the source of chi that is used for nutrition and prosperity. So now you have two reasons to keep a well-stocked kitchen.
So what are the things that you should keep in your kitchen to be able to produce restaurant quality food at home? The kitchen should always be stocked with fresh herbs, dried herbs, fresh vegetables, stocks, and ingredients to make quick sauces.
A steak is just a steak but when you add a great sauce with grilled onions and mushrooms then it becomes a great meal.
I personally like to grow fresh herbs in my windowsill but if you can’t have fresh then you can always used dried herbs. Dried herbs are really not that expensive and they can liven up any recipe. I can usually find dried herbs for my kitchen on sale for 33 cents a bottle or under a dollar.
Stocks for soups and sauces are easy to make. Don’t get into the trap of buying high sodium stock from the grocery store when you can make it at home. Not only will you save yourself money but also your doctor will stop screaming about your blood pressure.
What makes eggs benedict a restaurant favorite? The hollandaise sauce with eggs is what drives people crazy. By having a collection of sauces, you can make all of your restaurant favorites at home.
Tomorrow I’ll be back to give you my collection of stock and sauce recipes that are not only easy to make but will save you a pretty penny.
