3000 miles 'til dinner.

photo: blistered pepper in foreground, peeled pepper in background

*use fresh pasilla chilis when preparing PORK CHILI VERDE

To “blister” peppers so the skin can easily be removed - whether it be a pasilla, poblano or bell -  all that’s needed is extreme heat and a few minutes. Choose one of the four quick methods for a quick and easy way to accomplish this task.

Once the peppers are blistered, remove from heat, place them in a paper bag, close the bag and set aside to cool (juices from the peppers will seep, so set the bag on a pan or in a bowl). When completely cool, remove the seeds and peel off the skin.

HOW TO BLISTER A PEPPER

1) gas stove burner: lay peppers across the “grate”, turning as each side blisters and blackens

2) outdoor grill/barbeque: lay peppers on across the grate, medium heat, turning peppers as each side blisters and blackens

3) oven method: lay peppers on a parchment lined baking sheet, place in a 400 degree oven and “bake” until pepper blisters; peppers will NOT blacken

4) broiler method: lay pepper on a parchment lined baking sheet, place under broiler with 3-4” between broiler and pan, turning peppers as needed until completely blisters; peppers with NOT blacken

HINTS

*peppers can be refrigerated and peeled within two days 

*once peeled, peppers can be frozen, so consider roasted more than you need so you’ll have some on hand for next time

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Available in your local specialty kitchen shops…you’ll be so glad you have this little gem!

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• www.pamelasproducts.com

These are the most amazing gluten-free and wheat-free baking mix selections you’ll ever find. They can all be ordered on-line or found stocked in most supermarkets and “natural foods” stores.

Pamela’s Gluten & Wheat Free Baking & Pancake Mix can be substituted for any cake or pastry recipe that calls for wheat flour. The mix already has salt, leavening and powdered milk, but I always add a little more leavening (no salt) and any milk product called for in the recipe.

• Pamela’s Products Gluten & Wheat Free Baking & Pancake Mix 
  also, check out these mixes
•  Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie Mix AND Gluten-Free Bread Mix

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Lay your washed leafy greens on a large dish towel (any clean towel, pillow case or fabric of choice) pull up the edges to make a bundle with a “handle’, walk outside and swing in circles. Watch the water fly! 

~ ingredients we use often

~ perishable

fresh and fried tofu

soft baguettes (for Bahn Mi sandwiches)

fresh fish (such as talapia, shrimp, clams)

won ton, egg roll and gyoza skins (fresh or frozen)

vegetable, fruit

cilantro

Thai basil

Kaffir (citrus/lime) leaves

curry leaves

bamboo shoot

gangula (ga)

ginger

mango

green papaya

hot peppers

yucca

plantain

banana leaf (fresh or frozen)

~ canned, bottled, packaged

rice - sweet, basmati, jasmine

noodles - rice, wheat

rice sheets (for salad rolls)

soy sauces

dried shiitake

5 spice mix

hoisen & black bean sauces

chili sauces

coconut milk

sweetened condensed milk

Trader Joes shopping list

BOX, BAG

*long grain white & brown Basmati rice - organic

*long grain Jasmine rice - organic

*whole wheat pastas - organic

*wild rice - organic

*harvest grain blend (pearl cous cous, beans, orzo, baby garbonzo, red quinoa)

*quinoa - organic

BOX, JAR,CAN

*chicken & beef stock - organic (box)

*chicken stock concentrate, 1 oz. packets

*olive oil, canola oil - organic choices

*canola oil spray

*maple syrup - organic

*white tuna

*(light) coconut milk

~ prepared savories - great in a pinch!

*roasted piquillo peppers (jar)

*tomato chutney

*green olive tapenade

*stoneground yellow corn taco shells - organic

DRIED HERBS & SPICES

*basil, oregano, tarragon

*herb blends:  21 salt salute (everything but salt)

* fine and coarse sea salt, black peppercorns

*Himalayan pink salt (in grinder)

*garlic powder (handy to have on hand)

*saffron threads

BAKING

*blue agave sweetener - organic

*semi-sweet chocolate chips

*unsweetened cocoa

*chocolate 1# block, imported from Belgium : milk, 72% dark,  bittersweet

(these bars found on the Freezer aisle, shelf above desserts)

*unbleached white wheat flour & whole wheat flour - organic

*granulated and powdered sugar

*raw sugar - organic

*pure vanilla extract -  Bourbon or non-alcohol

*dried yeast packets

*cinnamon - ground, sticks

FREEZER

*croissants & pain au chocolaté  (both ready to bake)

*mocchi - several kinds

*fruit - for smoothies, sauces

*baby peas

BREAD

tandoori naan - six varieties, garlic a fave!

DAIRY

*unsalted butter

*pure Irish butter, unsalted (for a real treat)

*organic milk, organic smoothies

*half ‘n half, heavy cream - organic or no BST’s

*soy milk, greek yogurt, goats milk yogurt  (some organic)

*eggs -  cage free and organic

*egg whites - organic

*cows milk cheeses + goat cheeses, plain & pepper yogurt cheese (for lactose intolerant diets)

FRESH FRUIT & VEG - more and more organic

When your local Farmers Market is closed and/or it’s not harvest season in your area, Joes is a fine back-up for buying produce in small quantities. The stores are using less hard plastic for packaging these days. As always, no matter where you  choose to shop for produce, it’s very “hard”  to support a sustainable and local practice if “its off season” for harvesting, so making the wisest choice is always a challenge!

*consider trying: basil, carrots, broccoli, lemons, bananas, potatoes, apples, baby spinach, salad mix, grape tomatoes, cucumbers

*green papaya

*cooked lentils, fava beans - in the cooler, produce section

*Mediterranean hummus (pine nuts on top) - cooler, produce section

MISC:

*tofutti products:  sour cream, cream cheese

*nuts and dried fruit, shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

*oatmeal

*cinnamon grahams - excellent graham crackers for baking/pie crusts

*teas & coffee - look for organic, fair trade/direct trade

NON-FOOD

*pop up sponges (pack of 12)

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• 
  

  parchment paper - a bakers best friend! Cut parchment to fit the bottom of your baking pan (no overlapping edges) and your cookies won’t stick + there’s no need for baking spray or oil. Your tarts and pies won’t ooze all over the oven if you slip a piece of parchment onto a sheet pan before placing your tart/pie on it.  Press parchment into the bottom of cake pans and spray oil lightly. You will never have trouble getting your cakes out of the pan.  Parchment can be purchased in kitchen shops, on line OR in large quantities at any wholesale house, such as Cash n’ Carry, where bakery and restaurant ingredients are sold. This quantity (500-100 full size sheets) will last you a long time… if you have friends who are cooks and bakers, sharing big packs of parchment is a good idea. If it’s on hand, you’ll find all sorts of uses for it in savory baking and roasting too.

  cookie dough - cookie doughs freeze beautifully, so nstead of cutting back on a cookie recipe, consider making the entire recipe, baking what you need and freezing the rest. Saves you time when you feel like baking those cookies again!

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