Decent Italian/ Med Ingredients & Staples
Discussion
Always been into Italian food and cooked a bit, recently though I've been cooking more and enjoying quick simple dishes for lunch and dinner , some pasta dishes are nicer and as quick to make as a sandwich (spaghetti pomodoro), its also made me realise how much of a difference good quality ingredients make, for example some of the on vine tomatoes such as san marzano taste sublime
Anyone got any tips or recommendations in the UK for brands and supermarkets, for basics and staples of italian food, such as Olive oil, garlic, tinned tomatoes, meats etc..
Been doing well with Lidl, Waitrose and Aldi, but would welcome any treasures people have found
cheers
Anyone got any tips or recommendations in the UK for brands and supermarkets, for basics and staples of italian food, such as Olive oil, garlic, tinned tomatoes, meats etc..
Been doing well with Lidl, Waitrose and Aldi, but would welcome any treasures people have found
cheers
I buy big cans (3-5L) of extra virgin from the local green grocers - really flavourful super new and bright which I don't think you can get from bottled supermarket oil
Fruit and veg is also pretty good from them although it's nearly tomato season here in england and I think some farm shops have tomatoes just as good as the Italian's once they've travelled all the way here
We're also lucky enough to have a few italian delis, butchers for cured meats and actually I've found that TKmaxx and Homesense have some great little bits - arrabiata spice mix and paprika etc
Fruit and veg is also pretty good from them although it's nearly tomato season here in england and I think some farm shops have tomatoes just as good as the Italian's once they've travelled all the way here
We're also lucky enough to have a few italian delis, butchers for cured meats and actually I've found that TKmaxx and Homesense have some great little bits - arrabiata spice mix and paprika etc
Anchovies - great on their own or on a salad. For great sauces, I keep some in the freezer from which I can dig bits out with a teaspoon and add to the pan. They add such a depth of flavour.
Good olives and capers can live in the cupboard for years.
Dried oregano. Goes with everything.
As above, grow your own basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme and bay.
Tins of San Marzano tomatoes aren't expensive, but they're by far the best flavoured.
Good olives and capers can live in the cupboard for years.
Dried oregano. Goes with everything.
As above, grow your own basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme and bay.
Tins of San Marzano tomatoes aren't expensive, but they're by far the best flavoured.
If you live near Maidenhead, this place is legendary for italian (and all sorts of other countries') ingredients:
http://www.italiancont.co.uk/
http://www.italiancont.co.uk/
try natoora, also sold via ocado
if you're in london, Lina Stores or Wholefoods have a decent stock of high quality gragnano pasta, hams and cheeses, olive oil, bottarga, etc etc.
What makes the biggest difference is the veggies, but they are very expensive here (can be found on the Ocado Natoora shop)
if you're in london, Lina Stores or Wholefoods have a decent stock of high quality gragnano pasta, hams and cheeses, olive oil, bottarga, etc etc.
What makes the biggest difference is the veggies, but they are very expensive here (can be found on the Ocado Natoora shop)
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