Article: 4 Versatile Ingredients To Always Have On Hand

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Mar 13, 2023Entertaining

4 Versatile Ingredients To Always Have On Hand

Favorite ingredients to have on hand for any gathering or celebration.

With so many occasions and celebrations to plan for throughout the year, we have discovered the key to a successful gathering is having a few essentials on hand. Whether you have a dish to bring to a party or a last-minute dinner to prepare, having a few ingredients on hand at all times allows for stress-free execution.

In honor of spring arriving soon, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite fresh ingredients to add to your grocery list that are perfect for livening up any dish and pleasing every palate. With numerous different delicious recipes that use these ingredients, you are sure to create and prepare simple crowd-pleasers through and through.

Garlic

We are firm believers that everyone should have a few cloves of garlic always laying around. We’ve discovered that we use garlic in just about every one of our dishes and for good reason, too! It’s a delicious complement to almost every type of cuisine out there. Take a look below for an easy appetizer that will keep guests occupied while you whip up a main dish.

A Savory Appetizer

Lemon & Garlic Ricotta

Mix 15 oz. ricotta, juice and zest of one lemon, 2 minced garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, and a generous quantity of fresh black pepper. Spread in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes and serve with crackers and a baguette.

Lemons

A splash of lemon juice brightens up just about everything. Plus, they last up to two weeks when stored on your counter, so we’re always sure to grab a few when we’re at the grocery store.

A Bar Cart Addition

Lemon Rosemary Simple Syrup

Create this lemon rosemary simple syrup and you’ll have an easy mixer to liven up your bar cart. Peel two lemons, and combine the peel with two sprigs of rosemary, 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Let cool, strain and refrigerate. Mix with your favorite liquor or spritzer.

White Wine

Tuck a bottle or two away in your pantry so you’ll always have a bit of this lively ingredient on hand. White wine adds a lot of freshness and great flavor when roasting a whole chicken for a crowd {which is less intimidating than you think!}.

Rosemary

Plant somewhere sunny in your yard. It’s nearly impossible to kill and you’ll always have fresh rosemary within reach. Plus, it’s one of the few herbs you can freeze while still preserving the fragrance and taste.

Discover your favorite go-to essential ingredients for serving up any recipe at your next gathering or weeknight dinner with ease!