Shopping Savvy

Shopping Savvy is where I purchase and store foods that I use in my book and recipes found here online. Often recipes do not turn out the same because the ingredients are purchased from different suppliers. This section is also useful to see how to properly store foods. I live on an island and I usually only go shopping once a week so my supplies may be different from city dwellers. This section will be updated occasionally.

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Freezer

I keep the following items in my freezer most of the time so that when on the spur of the moment I may want to make a recipe and I don't have fresh items on hand I can use these. These are foods that store well in the freezer. It is important however to label and date them so they do not linger in the freezer too long.:

  • leftover organic tomato paste in a zip-lock bag from Trader Joes (Only need 2 tablespoons of tomato paste? Save the rest this way.)

  • an inch of fresh ginger in a zip-lock bag (In a pinch grate from the frozen state.)

  • a whole fresh habanero, serrano, jalapeno, and Anaheim chili in a zip-lock bag (in a pinch)

  • canned chili adobo frozen in a zip-lock bag

  • roasted garlic in a zip-lock bag

  • compound butter (like my Herb and Almond butter on page 107 for vegetables)

  • a bag of chopped spinach from Trader Joes

  • a bag of petite peas from Trader Joes

  • a bag of shelled edamame from Trader Joes

  • a bag of fava beans from Trader Joes

  • a bag of pearl onions from Trader Joes

  • several salt-boiled fresh grape leaves from my garden for dolmas

  • a bag of small organic (does not contain GMO's) corn tortillas from Skagit Valley Co-op

  • a package organic 3 grain Tempeh from Trader Joes

  • a bag of organic blueberries from Costco (smoothies)

  • frozen sliced organic bananas in a zip-lock bag (smoothies)

  • small packets of garlic puree I make from Costco organic garlic sealed in a zip-lock bag

  • fresh lime juice frozen in ice cubes in a zip-lock bag

  • fresh lemon juice frozen in ice cubes in a zip-lock bag

  • frozen basil cubes from Trader Joes

  • organic unsalted butter

  • Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rinds cut from wedges from Costco in a zip-lock bag

  • freezer container of home-cooked brown rice from Trader Joes or my own

  • several pints of homemade Rich Chicken Broth (on page 103 Sharing the Table)

  • several pints of Vegetable Broth (on page 104 Sharing the Table)

  • Parma Prosciutto from Costco

  • Applewood smoked bacon from Costco or Trader Joe's rolled individually in plastic wrap stored in a zip-lock bag

  • 1 package pie crust from Trader Joes

  • 1 package filo dough

  • 1 package puff pastry from Whole Foods

 

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FRIDGE

Most refrigerators have different compartments that store specific foods at ultimate temperature and humidity. I follow these for the most part but find some differences that I will mention here. The following items are usually in my fridge:

TALL TOP SHELF:

  • one gallon filtered water from local grocer

  • whole organic milk from a Skagit Valley dairy

  • organic heavy cream from Skagit Valley dairy

  • Nancy's probiotic organic sour cream from Skagit Valley Co-op

  • Nancy's probiotic organic whole milk yogurt from Skagit Valley Co-op

  • unsweetened almond milk from Trader Joe's

  • a jar of Kalamata olives from Costco or Trader Joe's

  • A bag of Costco Asparagus standing, top open, bottoms cut and wrapped 2" in soaked paper towels

SHORT TOP SHELF:

  • a dozen organic, free range eggs from my friend or from Trader Joe's

  • jar of Dijon mustard from Costco

  • a jar of deli style spicy brown mustard from Trader Joe's

  • a bottle of organic maple syrup from Trader Joe's

  • organic, unsweetened, salt-free tahini

  • San Juan salsa

  • organic avocado mayonnaise

  • a jar of green picholine olives from Trader Joe's

  • organic peanut butter from Trader Joe's

  • organic almond butter from Trader Joe's

  • organic white miso from Skagit Valley Co-op

DOOR CONDIMENTS

  • Kirkland organic salted butter

  • Tapatio salsa picante

  • Chipotle Tabasco

  • Jalapeno Tabasco

  • Roland Piri Piri pepper sauce with garlic

  • Sirachca sauce at Trader Joe's

  • double concentrated tomato paste at Trader Joe's

  • Napoleon anchovy paste

  • Olo's Harissa sauce

  • Crosse and Blackwell Seafood Cocktail Sauce

  • Red Star dry active yeast

  • La Tourange roasted walnut oil

  • Alessi White Basamic Pear Infused Vinegar

  • Aceto Balsamico di Modena at Trader Joe's

  • Aged Fig Balsamic Vinegar

  • Balsamic Glaze at Trader Joe's

  • Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar at Trader Joe's

  • California Harvest Pomegranate Champagne Vinegar

  • White Balsamic Vinegar at Trader Joe's

  • Beaufor Tarragon White Wine Vinegar

  • Cortas Pomegranate Molasses

  • Yamasa Soy Sauce

  • Pearl River Bridge Superior Dark Soy Sauce

  • Pearl River Bridge Mushroom Flavored Soy Sauce

  • Thai fish sauce

PRODUCE DRAWER

  • a head of organic celery

  • a bunch of organic carrots

  • herbs washed, spun dry, rolled in paper towels and in a produce grocery bag (Except basil and mint which are moisture and temperature sensitive. Store them like a bouquet of flowers in water, at room temperature.)

  • lettuce washed, spun dry, rolled in paper towels and in a produce grocery bag

  • any prepackaged produce should have their tops cut open so they can breathe

  • All other produce like zucchini, cabbage, peppers, ginger, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli etc.

MEAT AND CHEESE DRAWER

  • meats, poultry in a drip container (I recycle Costco roast chicken container bottoms)

  • fish for only one day on a bed of ice

  • brown sugar double bagged with zip lock

  • brown rice double bagged with zip lock

  • packaged nuts, dried fruits

  • Parmigiano Reggiano (finely grated in zip lock bag and a spare in original wrapper from Costco) Stravecchio is older (3 years) and much better

  • Gruyère in original wrapping from Costco

  • Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar

  • Feta cheese crumbles

  • Pointe Ryes blue cheese

pantry

Pantry

I live on an island with only one bridge, therefore I stock a full pantry in case of emergencies. It is best, however, to stock only those items that one can use within six months. Keep all like items together and don’t forget to date them.

  • DRY BEANS:

  • I buy most of these beans from a local co-op in bulk section

  • yellow, brown, red lentils

  • sprouted green lentils

  • Du Puy lentils

  • black lentils

  • back beans

  • garbanzo beans

  • corona beans (I bought once from Amazon and now grow my own)

  • red kidney beans

  • cranberry beans

  • red beans

  • Rojo Chiquito beans (an heirloom bean that I get from a local farmer)

  • RICE:

  • Bomba (paella rice) I buy online or at specialty stores

  • Vialone Nano (risotto rice) I buy online or at specialty stores

  • Carnaroli (risotto rice) I buy online or at specialty stores

  • organic sprouted brown rice blend (Trader Joes)

  • organic basmati rice (Trader Joes)

  • jasmine rice (Trader Joes)

  • black rice (from Thailand, in Asian grocery store)

  • GRAINS:

  • whole wheat couscous (T J’s)

  • Israeli couscous (T J’s)

  • harvest grain blend (TJ’s blend of couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, brown and red quinoa)

  • flax seed (T J’s)

  • bulgar (T J’s)

  • white and red quinoa (T J’s)

  • barley (T J’s)

  • farrow (T J’s)

  • chia seeds (T J’s)

  • pumpkin seeds, local grocer

  • FLOURS:

  • whole wheat flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • whole wheat pastry flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • whole wheat unbleached artisan bread flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • Kamut flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • Spelt flour, Arrowhead Mills

  • Einkorn flour, Bluebird Grain Farms

  • tapioca flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • garbanzo bean flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • almond flour, Bob’s Red Mill or Costco

  • coconut flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • organic blue cornmeal, local co-op bulk foods

  • organic yellow cornmeal, local co-op bulk foods

  • organic dry polenta, local co-op

  • organic polenta roll, (T J’s)

  • white and brown rice flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • semolina flour, Bob’s Red Mill

  • organic masa harina, Bob’s Red Mill

  • Italian “00” farina (Del Mio Sacco) local co-op

  • organic corn starch, local co-op

  • organic whole flax seed meal, Bob’s Red Mill

  • Panko bread crumbs (T J’s)

  • PASTA:

  • organic egg tagliatelle

  • organic egg pappardelle

  • whole wheat orzo

  • organic whole wheat fusilli

  • orecchiette

  • Italian macaroni

  • lasagna

  • capellini

  • whole wheat rigatoni

  • whole wheat spaghetti

  • whole wheat spaghetti rigate

  • whole wheat penne rigate

  • black bean rotini (TJ’s)

  • red lentil sedanini (TJ’s)

  • vermicelli (green bean thread)

  • DRIED MUSHROOMS, SEAWEED

  • dried porcini mushrooms

  • dried shitake

  • dried king black mushrooms

  • Pacific kombu (seaweed)

  • CHILES

  • whole guajillo

  • whole chipotle

  • whole chile pasilla/ancho

  • whole pasilla/negro pods

  • Jamaican hibiscus flower

  • OILS

  • organic extra virgin olive oil, first press (Costco)

  • unfiltered organic Greek extra virgin olive oil (TJ’s)

  • ghee (TJ’s)

  • toasted sesame oil (TJ’s)

  • organic virgin coconut oil (TJ’s)

  • grape seed oil (TJ’s)

  • sunflower oil (TJ’s)

  • coconut oil spray (TJ’s)

  • extra virgin Italian olive oil spray (TJ’s)

  • VINEGARS

  • organic red wine vinegar (Thrive online)

  • organic white wine vinegar (TJ’s)

  • Vinagre de Jerez (Sherry vinegar) local co-op

  • organic rice vinegar (Thrive online)

  • raspberry white wine vinegar

  • Bragg organic apple cider vinegar with the ‘Mother’ (Thrive online)

  • malt vinegar, local grocer

  • white balsamic vinegar (TJ’s)

  • Aseto Balsamico di Modena/balsamic vinegar (TJ’s)

  • white distilled vinegar, local grocer

  • pomegranate vinegar (TJ’s)

  • verjuice, special grocer or online

  • Sauterne cooking wine, local grocer

  • Mirin rice cooking wine (TJ’s)

  • CANNED/BOXED GOODS

  • Marmite yeast extract, local co-op

  • organic capers, (Thrive online)

  • preserved lemons (TJ’s)

  • organic mayonnaise (TJ’s)aioli garlic mustard sauce (TJ’s)

  • Crosse & Blackwell seafood cocktail sauce, local grocer

  • marinated artichokes, local grocer

  • roasted Piquillo peppers, local co-op

  • pepperoncini, local grocer

  • Dijon mustard (Costco)

  • whole grain Dijon mustard (TJ’s)

  • organic kosher sandwich pickles (TJ’s)

  • pitted kalamata olives (TJ’s)

  • organic applesauce, local co-op

  • artichoke hearts (TJ’s)

  • organic pumpkin (TJ’s)

  • pinto beans, local grocer

  • organic fava beans, local co-op

  • organic garbanzo beans (TJ’s)

  • organic black beans (TJ’s)

  • organic coconut milk (TJ’s)

  • 28 oz Cento San Marzano certified peeled tomatoes (TJ’s)

  • organic diced tomatoes (TJ’s)

  • organic diced fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles (TJ’s)

  • organic tomato paste (TJ’s)

  • Italian double concentrated tomato paste

  • fire roasted green chilies (TJ’s)

  • organic vegetable broth (TJ’s)

  • organic mushroom broth (TJ’s)

  • organic chicken broth (TJ’s)

  • unsweetened almond milk

  • nutritional yeast (TJ’s)

  • DRIED FRUITS

  • barberries (Amazon)

  • organic raisins, local co-op bulk

  • organic dry cranberries, local co-op bulk

  • crystallized candied ginger (TJ’s)

  • organic medjool dates (Costco)

  • organic flake coconut (TJ’s)

  • sun dried tomatoes (TJ’s)

  • NUTS

  • organic whole unsalted raw cashews (Costco)

  • peanuts (Costco)

  • shelled pistachios (Costco)

  • whole walnuts in shells, local co-op

  • Kirkland mixed nuts (Costco)

  • BAKING SUGARS & CONDIMENTS

  • organic cacao powder, local grocer

  • organic baking cacao, local co-op

  • 72% cacao dark chocolate (TJ’s)

  • cacao nibs, online

  • Turbinado raw cane sugar (TJ’s)

  • organic coconut sugar (TJ’s)

  • organic blue agava, local co-op

  • unsulfured molasses, local grocer

  • local honey, local co-op

  • unsulfured molasses, local grocer

  • yogurt starter, local co-op

  • Simply organic lemon oil, local grocer

  • Simply organic orange oil, local grocer

  • natural cherry extract, local grocer

  • peppermint extract, local grocer

  • orange extract, local grocer

  • orange flower water, local co-op

  • rose water, local co-op

  • DRY SPICES & HERBS (bulk spices when possible in small quantities) Purchased at local grocer or co-op. Also at Savory Spice & Penzeys Spices online or in store.

  • LEAVES:

  • Greek oregano

  • Mexican oregano

  • thyme

  • basil

  • tarragon

  • dillweed

  • rosebuds

  • SEEDS:

  • anise seeds

  • celery seeds

  • dill seeds

  • fennel seeds

  • yellow & black mustard seeds

  • cumin seeds

  • coriander seeds

  • star anise

  • nigella seeds

  • sesame seeds

  • juniper berries

  • CHILES:

  • whole habanero chiles

  • ground ancho chile

  • ground pasilla negro

  • ground chipotle

  • crushed Aleppo chiles

  • crushed red pepper flakes

  • cayenne

  • ground guajillo chile

  • pimentón dulce (sweet smoked paprika)

  • pimentón picante (hot smoked paprika

  • sweet Hungarian paprika

  • hot Hungarian paprika

  • sweet paprika

  • PEPPERCORNS:

  • black peppercorns

  • ground white pepper

  • pink peppercorns

  • SALTS

  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt

  • Morton canning & pickling salt

  • Morton rock salt

  • Maldon salt flakes

  • grey sea salt

  • sea salt (TJ’s)

  • Himalayan pink salt (TJ’s)

  • Redmond Real sea salt

  • Redmond Real kosher salt

  • porcini salt

  • truffle salt

  • lemon salt

  • BAKING SPICES

  • baking powder, aluminum free & double acting (TJ’s)

  • baking soda

  • arrowroot (bulk)

  • cream of tartar

  • whole & ground cloves

  • whole nutmeg

  • whole & ground allspice

  • ground ginger

  • ground cinnamon

  • cinnamon sticks

  • cardamom seeds, pods, & ground

  • green cardamom pods

  • vanilla beans (Costco at Christmas time only)

  • INTERNATIONAL CUISINE SPICES:

  • ground canela (Mexican & Spanish cinnamon)

  • garam masala (India)

  • fenugreek seeds (India)

  • fenugreek leaves (India)

  • vindaloo (India)

  • asafetida (India)

  • curry leaves (India)

  • saffron (TJ’s or Costco at Christmas time)

  • achiote paste (Mexican)

  • barberry (Middle East, Mediterranean)

  • Bombay sweet curry

  • turmeric (Indian)

  • SPECIALTIES:

  • bronze fennel pollen (online)

  • lavender

  • onion powder

  • garlic powder

  • granulated garlic

  • Old Bay seafood seasoning