Kitchen Staples for the Minimalist Cook
Spices: Coriander
Use along with salt and pepper for seasoning everything from roasted chicken to grilled vegetables.
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Spices: Cumin
Mix with ginger and garlic to add Indian flavor, with oregano and cilantro for Mexican flavor.
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Spices: Smoked Paprika
Add to any vegetarian dish to give it a meaty flavor, or blend with ketchup to serve on grilled burgers.
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Spices: Cinnamon
Add to pancakes and baked goods or blend with cumin and coriander to make an exotic spice rub.
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Spices: Chile Flakes
Sprinkle in sautéed greens, pasta dishes and nut mixes. Use in place of dried chiles in Asian cooking.
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Condiments: Soy Sauce
Add a few drops to brothy soups or steamed vegetables. Stir into mayonnaise for sandwiches.
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Condiments: Tomato
Squeeze into sautéed onions and cook for 30 seconds before adding the other ingredients to a stew.
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Condiments: Harissa
Rub this fiery Tunisian chile paste over meat before roasting, spread on grilled cheese or stir into seafood stews.
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Cookware: Nonstick Pan
Even eggs don't stick to Bialetti's "Aeternum" scratch-resistant ceramic coating. From $20; bialettishop.com.
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Cookware: Pasta Pot
Calphalon's hard-anodized aluminum pasta pot comes with two strainers. $100; pans.com.
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Cookware: 12-Inch Skillet
All-Clad's kitchen-workhorse skillets can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. $140; metrokitchen.com.