Kitchen

[aroc3435]

In a couple of responses I have made to "Another Shortage?" thread in the Community Chat forum it made me curious as to what items do you consider essential to having on hand for any special holidaay meal, say Thanksgiving or some other special menu--Christmas, Easter, Passover.

In that thread I mentioned Bell's Seasoning and Old Bay.  I also like McCormick's Simply Better Turkey Gravy which I only discovered last Thanksgiving.

So, do you have cherished ingredients or items for these meals that are "must haves" for your special celebration meals?

I'm curious and would love it if you would share.  We all might learn about something new in terms of ingredients to try or to substitute since there are differences in recipes region by region around the U.S.

Best,

aroc3435

Washington, DC

[AuntG]

Was thinking about that too. I want to get some baking staples like flour, sugar, chocolate chips, evaporated milk and nuts. I use very little of those type of ingredients in summer. 

[QVCkitty1]

I already can't find pumpkin. 

[tucsongal]

The only thing I can’t work around is Trader Joe’s cranberry orange relish. Just like Mom used to make, yum.

[EatWell]

Spanish saffron.  👍

Lucky to have purchased a kilo of real saffron threads from a saffron farm when I traveled to Spain a few years ago.   Expensive but sooo worth it.  👍'

For my New Years Eve paella dinner. . Made with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, chicken, chorizo, tomato, peas, artichoke hearts, and rice.  I use saffron throughout the year when recipes call for it.

~Life is short. Eat well. You could die tomorrow.~

[deepwaterdotter]

Pitted dates for Date-Filled Roll-Ups cookies.

[tucsongal]

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@deepwaterdotter wrote:

Pitted dates for Date-Filled Roll-Ups cookies.

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 My mom used to make those too, another yum 😀

[PA Mom-mom]

@aroc3435  I keep pots of parsley, rosemary, thyme and sage out on my patio just for Thanksgiving! Sure, I use them for other things. But, I really need them for the turkey and the bread and oyster fillings. Love going out on Thanksgiving morning and breaking away the ice to collect my herbs!

[Snowpuppy]

Cracked or shaved ice for the shaker.  😉

I can forego if certain relatives will not be attending. 

May pick up a turkey and other meats/sausage early if we face meat shortages again. Other than that I keep a deep pantry (including canned pumpkin) so I'm good.

[aroc3435]

@AuntG   @QVCkitty1   Yeast has been fluctuating in terms of availability and price.  Can't always find preferred brands and types of flour.

Wow, didn't think about chocolate chips.  Must add that to my list.  Nuts are on my list.  Found Ocean Spray dried cranberries and have some of the fresh in my freezer.

I have an excellent supply of Hershey's Cocoa which I've used for years instead of the baking squares of chocolate since it is much more shelf stable and the back of the canister gives the equivalent formula for mimicking squares.

Have both kinds of coconut for baking.

Pumpkin is showing up in some stores and online.  Have to constantly check and scoop up immediately when it appears.

Good to brainstorm with all of you.

aroc3435

Washington, DC