Getting Started

Basic Principals & Skills

What Goes with What

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A bit like 'Fad Diets' one of the most popular pursuits is the buying of cookbooks and collecting of recipes. Generally however at that particular moment in time we don't have one or two of the ingredients called for, so, once secured, transcribed or cut out they are put away with the best of intentions.  They may or may not ever again see the light of day never mind actually be put to their intended use. They do however sustain us with the thought that we have them and in case of need they can be trotted out and prepared. A few simple principals and skills, will allow us to understand the recipes we have collected and give us the ability to adapt many of them to what we have available at any moment in time. Once mastered these simple skills will turn our time in the kitchen into a therapeutic and rewarding occupation. 

Basic Principals & Skills
Once you have the Tools & Equipment learn the Basic Techniques and then move on to the Sauces.  The alternative is to just pitch in and learn as you go, can be a lot of fun. You will quickly realize that once you can make a fair job of the sauces a whole new world opens up because you then have the ability to mix and match the sauces with the appropriate principal ingredient and style. The three great cuisines of this world, Western [French/Latin], Indian and Chinese have all developed from simple ingredients, available to ordinary folk, that have through trial and error created tasty and nutritious meals. So next you need to understand what ingredients traditionally compliment each other.

What Goes with What

Milk/Cream/Yogurt
Sweet Base - vanilla, cinnamon, almond, cardamom, almond, nutmeg
Savory Base - paprika, dill, tomato sauce

Tomato
Olive oil, basil, garlic, onion, rosemary, honey

Soup & Stock
Celery, dill, onion

Cabbage & Carrot
Lemon or vinegar, sugar, mustard, caraway

Spinach
Butter, strong cheese, nutmeg,

Apples
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ground all spice, raisins, almonds

Now move on to our Spices & Herbs guide.

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