I wanted to share some thoughts today on how using good quality ingredients can truly elevate your cooking and baking experience.
It's amazing how much of a difference the right oils, fats, meats, cheeses, salts, and chocolates can make in a dish!☺️
Olive Oil & Fats For cooking and baking, I always use high-quality olive oil. I buy both regular olive oil and extra virgin, as each serves a different purpose.
One of my favorite brands is Kirkland (Extra-Virgin or Regular), which offers great value for the price. I also adore Oro Bailén Picual, a Spanish olive oil that has such rich flavor and depth.
The olive oil in ourOrange Olive Oil Cakemakes the cake extra moist and slightly more dense (but still tender). I like to dress it up with fresh mint leaves in the spring/summer and rosemary in the winter!
I use high-quality EVOO for drizzling on dishes like Caprese Salad, Pan Tomate, or as a salad dressing.
When it comes to butter, I've become a huge fan of European butter after living in Spain. The richness and texture are unmatched! If I'm in the States Kerrygold is my go-to because it's widely available and high quality.
Using quality butter not only affects the taste of these biscuits, but the texture as well. They are soooo light and flaky! One of my favorite snacks is a warm biscuit and homemade strawberry jam🍓
The butter in the dough and the garlic butter brushed on the outside make these rolls incredibly soft and flavorful. They're completely irresistible and pair well with any Main Dish.
Meat Living in Spain has also opened my eyes to how much better the quality of meat can be. The texture and depth of flavor in grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and organic chicken are incomparable. When I return to the U.S., I plan to buy more of these types of meat, knowing how much they enhance the dishes I prepare.
Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite cuts of meat to cook because it feels fancy but honestly couldn't be easier.
My mom made this pork tenderloin often growing up and served it with peach chutney on top; so good!
Cheese Cheese is a simple yet powerful ingredient. The quality of cheese can make or break a dish, so I always invest in good-quality cheese.
I NEVER use pre-shredded packaged cheese because it contains preservatives that affect both the flavor and the melt. Freshly grated cheese always provides the best taste and texture.
The best part of these bars is that it's only FOUR ingredients, and you don't need a candy thermometer or any special equipment. Just quality ingredients!
Sea salt really shines in our favorite breakfast- Spanish Pan con Tomate-with perfectly toasted bread topped with garlic, tomato, olive oil, and sea salt.
Chocolate & Vanilla Good quality chocolate and real vanilla extract are game-changers in baked goods. I always make my own vanilla extract with just two ingredients—vodka and vanilla beans—and it adds such a rich, pure flavor.
♥️I truly believe that these small investments in quality ingredients go a long way in improving the taste of everything I cook and bake. I encourage you to try some of these options (including homemade vanilla), as they really do make a difference!
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