Ingredients to Always Have on Hand
Whip together an instant meal
Whether you’re creating a spontaneous meal for your hunky next-door neighbour or you’ve got a few friends coming for wine and giggles, don’t despair if your fridge is bare. Okay, so maybe you’re a bit of a Bridget Jones in the kitchen. So what? So long as you ensure these ten ingredients are on hand, you’ll always be able to create something delectable (or at least edible!). Just make sure to have some creativity on hand.
Garlic/Onion:
Garlic and/or onions are staples. As a bruschetta base or a pasta particular, don’t get intimidated by the scent. In fact, what better way to isolate yourself with a hottie than with shared garlic breath?
Olive oil:
The beautiful thing about olive oil is that it can be used simply to stir fry up your garlic, onions, and spices to be a tasty base for an omelet or as a main ingredient in a pasta dish. Olive oil pairs up beautifully with fresh tomatoes and lemon juice, or is fabulous as a coating to your mini-crepes (see below). And it can double as a sexy skin massaging lotion for late-night entertainment.
Lemon juice:
Paired up with the right group of ingredients, lemon juice makes for a perfect foil for herbs and olive oil. In pastas, salad dressings, or as a sweet mixer with sugar, its tart flavour brings bite. And, if he gets too fresh too fast, it’ll sting like crazy when you throw it in his face.
Tomatoes:
Fresh tomatoes are fabulous, but canned can work also. If all you have on hand are tomatoes, olive oil, herbs, and pasta, you’re set. Create fresh bruschetta. Make a fabulous homemade salsa with lemon juice, herbs and oil. Toss some in scrambled eggs. They are also great for staining clothes, making them ideal if he’s the cheating kind.
Fresh herbs:
You cannot go wrong with fresh herbs and they always add a gourmet flare. Conversely, it’s a fabulous idea to invest in a really diverse spice rack in case of emergencies. Different spices in the same dish can create whole new combinations. Just to be clear, fresh herbs do not include the type that cause hallucinations or extreme mellowness. Those herbs are better used at parties.
Pasta/rice:
Without question, these are definite staples to have on hand. Throwing together a delectable pasta or risotto meal is quick and easy. It’s also nice and filling. And you’ll have plenty on hand to throw at all those weddings you’re forced to attend.
Eggs:
Whether for omelets, other egg dishes, or added with flour to create crêpes, eggs are a good filler. And if he stays over for breakfast, you’re set for the morning.
Cheese:
Cheese is the food of the gods. As a simple snack to go with the item following, or as a topping to savory crêpes, bread or elegant pastas, the versatility of cheese is fabulous. As they say in those WAY overplayed cheese ads, change the cheese, change the dish. Cheese is also a fabulous revenge food for lactose-intolerant guests.
Flour/Yeast:
Flour, sugar, and boiling water creates a dough for Chinese pancakes which, in turn, can be used for savory or sweet wraps. If you happen to have yeast on hand, you can then create a multitude of breads, from focaccia to pizza dough. Baking bread can be a sexy version of foreplay with soft, warm results.
Wine:
Wine is always fabulous. Wine in food. Wine to drink. Everything mentioned above can be peppered with a bit of wine. The best part is, if you don’t feel like cooking, you can always just suck back on the bottle and chill out.
As a bonus, it’s always recommended to have chocolate on hand. It is a tasty aphrodisiac. It’s also a fabulous comfort if the evening is a total bust.
Written by: Robyn Burnett
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