The necessary ingredients
The basics of cooking
When you start cooking, it is essential to have some basic ingredients on hand. Of course, this depends on the type of cuisine you wish to prepare, but here is a list of indispensable ingredients for any good cooking:
1. Salt: an essential condiment to enhance flavors.
2. Pepper: to add a spicy touch to your dishes.
3. Olive oil: ideal for cooking and seasoning.
4. Butter: to give flavor and creaminess to your preparations.
5. Onion: a versatile vegetable that adds flavor to many dishes.
6. Garlic: a powerful and fragrant condiment that enhances many dishes.
7. Lemon: an essential citrus fruit to bring freshness to your preparations.
8. Sugar: to sweeten desserts or balance flavors in certain dishes.
The specific ingredients for certain cuisines
Depending on the type of cuisine you wish to prepare, it may be interesting to have some specific ingredients on hand. Here are a few examples:
1. Soy sauce: essential for Asian cuisine.
2. Curry: to give an Indian touch to your dishes.
3. Mexican spices: chili, cumin, coriander… for Mexican cuisine.
4. Provençal herbs: thyme, rosemary, savory… for Provençal cuisine.
5. Chilies: to bring spiciness to your Mexican or Asian dishes.
6. Fresh cream: essential for French cuisine.
7. Basil, oregano, and parsley: essential herbs for Italian cuisine.
8. Chicken broth: to add flavor to soups and sauces.
Fresh ingredients
To cook healthy and balanced meals, it is important to have fresh ingredients on hand. Here are some examples of fresh ingredients that you should always have in your kitchen:
1. Vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, peppers, zucchinis… to add freshness to your dishes.
2. Fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries… for tasty and healthy desserts.
3. Meats: chicken, beef, pork, lamb… to prepare flavorful dishes.
4. Fish and seafood: salmon, shrimp, mussels… for light and flavorful recipes.
5. Fresh herbs: parsley, coriander, mint… to bring freshness to your dishes.
Dry products
Finally, it is always handy to have some dry ingredients on hand, which store longer. Here are some examples:
1. Pasta: spaghetti, penne, farfalle… for quick and delicious pasta dishes.
2. Rice: basmati, brown, wild… to accompany your meat or fish dishes.
3. Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, beans… for protein-rich vegetarian dishes.
4. Ground spices: turmeric, paprika, cinnamon… for spicy and fragrant dishes.
5. Dried fruits: raisins, nuts, almonds… for healthy and tasty snacks.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive and varies depending on your preferences and eating habits. The important thing is to have the basic ingredients on hand, as well as some specific ingredients to prepare your favorite recipes. So get started and have fun in the kitchen!
The preparation of celery and tomato salad
Ingredients:
- 1 celery stalk
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1 red onion
- Some leaves of fresh basil
- The juice of one lemon
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
- Thoroughly wash the celery stalks under cold water to remove any dirt or residue. Dry them with a clean towel or a salad spinner.
- Cut the ends off the celery stalks and remove the hardest outer leaves. Cut the celery stalks into medium-sized pieces. Set aside in a salad bowl.
- Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges. Remove the seeds if desired, then add them to the salad bowl with the celery.
- Peel and finely slice the red onion. Add it to the salad bowl with the celery and tomato salad.
- Wash the fresh basil leaves and chop them finely. Add them to the salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk all the ingredients well to obtain a smooth vinaigrette.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the celery and tomato salad and gently mix to thoroughly coat all the vegetables. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Tips:
For a crunchier celery and tomato salad, you can blanch the celery pieces in boiling water for a few minutes, then plunge them into icy water to stop the cooking. This will slightly soften the vegetables without fully cooking them.
You can also add other vegetables to this salad according to your preferences, such as cucumbers, peppers, or olives. Feel free to experiment with ingredients to create your own version of the celery and tomato salad.
This salad is ideal for accompanying a barbecue, a grill, or simply as a light starter on warm summer days. It brings freshness and vitamins to your meal.
You can keep the celery and tomato salad in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days maximum. Be sure to take it out a few minutes before serving so it can regain its crunchiness.
So, don’t wait any longer and enjoy this delicious celery and tomato salad!
Tips for seasoning the salad
Salad is an essential dish, fresh and light. To make it even more delicious, correctly seasoning it is essential. Here are some tips to give your salads a boost:
Choosing the right base
The choice of the base of your salad is crucial. Opt for a crunchy salad like lettuce, arugula, or cabbage. These green vegetables will add freshness to your preparation.
Varying flavors
To make your salad more interesting, add ingredients that will bring different flavors. Choose juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, spicy radishes, or crunchy red onions. These ingredients will add texture and flavor to your salad.
Balancing flavors
A successful seasoning depends on the balance of flavors. Mix sweet, acidic, salty, and bitter ingredients to create a harmonious taste sensation. For example, add fresh or dried fruits to add sweetness, or use vinegar for a touch of acidity.
Playing with textures
To make your salad more interesting, feel free to play with textures. Add crunchy seeds like sunflower or sesame seeds, chunks of nuts for a crunchy bite, or cheese for a creamy touch.
Seasoning with style
Seasoning is the finishing touch to elevate your salad. For a homemade vinaigrette, mix olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice. If you prefer a ready-made vinaigrette, choose a quality brand like Maille or Lesieur.
Bonus tips
- To keep your salad fresh, add the seasoning just before serving.
- If you want to add meat or fish to your salad, marinate them with a little vinaigrette before incorporating them. This will add flavor to your proteins.
- Don’t hesitate to try new seasoning combinations to discover new tastes.
With these simple tips, you can easily season your salads to make them even more flavorful. Feel free to be creative and adapt the seasonings to your personal tastes. Enjoy your meal!
Presentation and accompaniment ideas
The presentation of dishes
The way a dish is presented can make all the difference during a meal. A beautiful presentation can awaken the taste buds and make you want to enjoy a dish. Here are some ideas to enhance the presentation of your dishes:
1. Play with colors: use vegetables of different colors to bring visual diversity to your plate. For example, a salad made of grated carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes adds a touch of bright colors to a dish.
2. Use aromatic herbs: sprinkle your dishes with fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or coriander. Not only will they add freshness to your dishes, but they will also add a touch of color.
3. Stack the food: create beautiful shapes by layering ingredients. For example, you can make a tower of grilled vegetables alternating rounds of eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes.
4. Use molds or cookie cutters: to give a specific shape to your dishes, use molds or cookie cutters to cut the ingredients. For example, you can cut a slice of melon into a heart or flower shape.
Accompaniment ideas
A good accompaniment can complement a dish and make it even more flavorful. Here are some accompaniment ideas that pair well with different dishes:
1. Grilled vegetables: whether it’s zucchinis, peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes, grilled vegetables add a touch of flavor and texture to any dish. Serve them as an accompaniment to steak or fish.
2. Purees: vegetable purees are an excellent way to add sweetness and creaminess to a dish. Try a sweet potato puree with roast pork or a broccoli puree with grilled chicken.
3. Grains: whether it’s rice, quinoa, couscous, or bulgur, grains are a versatile accompaniment that pairs well with almost any dish. Add vegetables, herbs, or spices for more flavor.
4. Salads: a fresh and crunchy salad is always a good idea to accompany a dish. Opt for a traditional green salad or try a cabbage or grated carrot salad for a change.
5. Sauces: sauces are a simple yet effective way to add flavor to a dish. Whether it’s a cheese sauce, a pesto sauce, or a mustard sauce, find the one that best complements your main dish.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and let your creativity flow when it comes to presenting and accompanying your dishes. Have fun in the kitchen and indulge in unique flavor pairings and artistic presentations.
