The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making by Alan Chernila
I stumbled upon a mention of this The Kitchn and knew I had to take a look. Luckily my local library had it available as an electronic book.
I have been making my own homemade pantry items, in a small way, for years. Whenever I could rid myself of cream of chicken soup, taco seasoning mix and more, I have done so. That said, moving up to larger and more complicated items like cheese, cereals and others has been a slow process. I have seen other recipes and guides on developing these items, but Homemade Pantry could be the book that pushes me over the tipping point and into the production of many new items.
First, Chernila’s writing is like the calm, steady hand of an experienced cook in the kitchen — gently guiding you to the best result. The book presents the recipes in a simple straightforward fashion and makes each one seem not just possible, but almost easy to do. I especially love the sections entitled “Tense Moments.” These list a few things that could go wrong and ways of correcting them, if they should happen. What a great way to further allay people’s fears and give them the confidence to try out the recipes.
For me, I am looking to produce these recipes in the near future:
- Ricotta
- Mozzarella
- Butter
- Ketchup
- Hot Sauce
- Salad dressings
- Hummus
- Spice Mixes
- Ice Creams
- Pastas
- Chai Tea
- Sodas
- Liqueurs (I make Limoncello and other already)
I highly recommend you check out these recipes and more and start making some of your most basic pantry items yourself. You will find not only a fresher taste in your food but also a sense of accomplishment in a job well done that also shares something special with your friends and family.