Cupboard love 3 This time it's pasta! (in 3D)

You may by now have noticed a couple of things with this series of blogs, one I like to blog with some intent to inspire (but hopefully not preach) and the other is the rather film-like titles I have given them.

To say I'm a film buff would be a bit much, but they are (at times) a big part of my life and can add a bit of fun to life.  But I can't say that I am a true film buff.  I write like this as I want people to enjoy cooking and have something of a message to give, but also to keep things light hearted :)

So we come to the end of the series, with all things padding being at the heart of it.  Now before I post the next picture I must warn you - it is the worse looking of all the cupboards.  Ready.... get ya 3D specs on.....

It's in the paste 2 - Pesto change-o!

Following on from  my first "It's all in the paste" on Thai green curry, which turns out as fun to make, but not cost effective.  But does freeze very well!

I got to thinking, what else can I compare, what else could be easy to make (well supposedly) yet something people don't think twice to buy in.  Then it hit me!  Pesto.  A great quick tea, full of flavour and something that I think could be a lot easier and cheaper to make.

Pig of an issue..

I have just read this article and was surprised and saddened by it http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22098224.   While the article centres on the US this is not just a US issue.  Many farms across this country and the world are in the same state.  But is it sad to think that governments are more worried about people find out about the conditions on these farms than the farms themselves.  Choosing to criminalise the filming of undercover material. – Bit backwards perhaps?

Cupboard Love 2 - The return to oils

Well I hope you all enjoyed my "spicy beginning", now on to my next cupboard oils and vinegars.  This also contains tinned items and right at the top chocolate and biscuits.  At least it being set so high up we don't automatically reach for the top shelf when hungry.  Although things do tend to get forgotten!  I have biscotti that has been opened since December :/.

Along with herbs and spices, oils and vinegars are pathways to flavour!  Liven up salads with simple dressings, fry stuff, even cover your chips with (malt vinegar is still my favourite chip enhancer although onion vinegar does also have it's uses!).  While you won't always be catapulted to a different country in the same way herbs and spices can, oils and vinegars are essential companions!

Shall we take a look?  Brace yourself....

Cupboard Love - A spicy beginning

I understand that my blog is meant to be able comparing food stuffs and currently I haven't really done that yet. Don't worry I have several things planned for coming posts, but firstly I should probably talk about what helps make food taste amazing.  Herbs and spices.  Those little pots and jars will be your gateway to flavour and food enjoyment.  Not to mention the oils and padding foods such as rice and pasta.  Invest in those cupboard buddies and you could find yourself saving money in the long run.  Investing does involve spending a bit of money each time you go shopping but believe me it will make all the difference when you have no money but have rice, oil, and a few herbs...  This post is the first of three and I will go through each one with you.

I am not going to dictate to you what you should have, but show you what I have.  Yep I have taken pictures of my cupboards to show you what I have lurking in there.    Any inspiration I give will be truly unintended ;)

So today is my spice cupboard, I will go through some of the items that me and b/f use all the time.

Something fishy

There is something fishy afoot in the UK papers today.  In the wake of the horsemeat scandal it has been found that some fish and chip establishments are selling other fish as cod or haddock.  Possibly because we are all on tenterhooks on horsemeat, authorities are now checking everything.

Both cod and haddock are in a dangerous decline and with efforts to farm these fish, successfully, currently not within our grasp; what are we to do?  Or even expect?