It`s guidance on defatting your fridge, pumping up your pantry, stocking up your spices and investing in timesaving gadgets that make cooking fresher, lighter and faster than ever.
By Robin Vitetta-Miller
I bet your kitchen is a lot different from your mom`s -and nothing like your grandmas. Time and kitchen have changed, and they`re likely to keep changing right into the millennium. Why? Partly as a result o0f technology and, in a large part, because we want to avoid an expanding waistline. From cabinets to countertops, today`s kitchen`s reflects reflect our growing need for healthy, qucik, gourmet food. Granny`s pantry was likely to brim with cans of cream of mushroom soup, boxes of instant onion soup and instant cake mixes that needed only eggs and oil. And the most exotic spice in her rack was probably paprika -you know, the red stuff she sprinkled on deviled eggs.
Now thankfully, we`re crowding our shelves with a variety of healthy foods, like fat-free dressings, salsas, ethnic sauces, dried spices from all over the globe and low-fat cookies. We`re also eating less red meat and incorporating more fish, pultry, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables into our way of eating.
Due to our recent fascination with international and cross-cultural cuisine, fresh herbs and unusual spices have become important pantry staples. More over nutmeg -make room for Chinese five-spice powder, garam masala and coriander. Ingredients like these that were once only found in specialty stores (or stashed in suitcases from tips abroad) are now readily available nationwide. And different varieties of old standbys like apples are now available from around the world.
Responding to our need for a good meal fast, time-saving machines, gadgets and cookware have been developed to reduce prep time and cut the fat in our diets. On the page the follow, we`ve hightlighted sine of the best ones, along with condiments, deli food, pantry items, fruits, and vegetables that should become part of your “new” kitchen. One section also includes timeless pantry must haves -things your mom had that you, too, should have.