| Hi reader, 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 Costco's Kirkland (Extra-Virgin or Regular), which offers great value for the price. I also adore California Olive Ranch for everyday cooking. | | The olive oil in our Orange Olive Oil Cake makes 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! |
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. | | Don't miss my trick for how to roll chicken cordon bleu without toothpicks! |
| | 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. | | This recipe is totally gourmet with the addition of crispy bacon and panko bread crumb topping. |
Salt
When it comes to salt, I avoid table salt with iodine. Instead, I stick to Kosher salt or ground sea salt for both baking and cooking. For finishing dishes, nothing beats a sprinkle of flaky sea salt like Maldon or Jacobson. It really enhances the flavors! | | 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. You can make your own vanilla extract with just two ingredients—vodka and vanilla beans—and it adds such a rich, pure flavor. For chocolate, I love Guittard chocolate chips for general baking, and if I'm melting chocolate, Callebaut is my top choice. | | An Easy "Wow" Factor – chocolate shavings dress up any dessert and immediately make it look professional and elegant. |
| | The best way to save money while still getting high-quality, pure vanilla extract for baking. It's makes a great gift, using our free labels, bottles, and label paper, for neighbors at Christmas or a housewarming gift to a friend. Here are the vanilla beans I liked to use. |
♥️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!
| ❤️My New Favorite Kitchen Tool | | If you use cooking spray, you might be surprised to see what's actually in the can—things like propellants and additives you'd never add to your food on purpose! That's why I love this olive oil spray dispenser. You just add whatever oil you like and it'll work the same way as the ones at the store! (I highly recommend this for any of our air fryer recipes!) |
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