20 Condiments to Keep On-hand for Memorable Meals in Moments

The Everyday Gourmet-Fun, Fast, Fresh, Frugal, Family Food

When supper rolls around, it's 'jump' around our house.  When I make supper, it's got to on the table pretty fast.  But we all like good food.  So I have adopted some techniques to get  fresh healthy meals into the family in 20-30 minutes. 

These techinqiues also allow me to improvise and rethink a meal if I've forgotten the shrimp or discovered  carrots  that need to be used .  My muse is my Dutch grannie who always said ' waste not, want not'  Using up the leftovers is an upcoming theme in this series.

I've tried to lock into programs: once a month cooking, weekly meal schedules, etc.  But I find that I like the element of surprise and the flexiblilty to change my mind. 

Therefore, one essential feature in my kitchen is my 'condiments' shelf near the stove.  I cook with very little salt, vegetable oil or sugar, so I rely upon these, along with my herb and spice rack for taste.  Some may sound unusual but they give wonderful flavor and some important nutrients.  

Many folks have said to me.  'Well, you're lucky; your children will eat odd foods.'   Meaning of course that their  children would not touch foods made with these ingredients.  I have found that tasty food is a universal pleasure and that these ingredients add such nice flavor that kids just naturally enjoy them!   (On this idea, Another upcoming article is 'food attitudes - what children learn form us')

Here is my condiments list as well as some ways that I use them and also their nutritive value.

Fresh Ground Ginger:  in jars in the produce section or you can buy a root and shred.  I have developed an addiction to this pungent almost bitter taste:  great in curries, oriental, indian, Polynesian, and Thai recipes,  and marinades.  Ginger aids in digestion and stomach ailments.

Worchesteshire Sauce:  the tamarind is the zing in this one and its wonderful for basting or marinating beef, is BBQ sauces, in rice with some dried fruits, nuts and pea pods.