Pantry Archives - Cooking In Stilettos™

Tried and True: Homemade Cornbread Mix

November 28, 2016 By Aly 4 Comments

Homemade Cornbread Mix is so easy to make from scratch with just a few ingredients from your pantry! This pantry staple is perfect for busy weeknights or would make a fabulous holiday gift!

This post may contain affiliate links to products I adore and trust in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos.

Today I have something that is not only fabulous for your pantry but would make a fantastic gift for the holidays or just a money saver for that shopping fund – a Homemade Cornbread Mix that will have you skipping that little baking mix box that I know many of you keep in the pantry. Whenever the need for cornbread or corn muffins arises, your pantry has all of the staples to make them from scratch.

Over the past year, I have found myself shopping more at the outer perimeters of the grocery store, focusing more on fresh produce, meats and dairy and if I can make something from scratch, I find that to be better for me. I have been having issues with various processed foods and while I am nailing down what exactly is it that is making my system go all wonky, I have been sticking to buying ingredients from brands I trust and reading those labels on the side of the package. They say stress does a number on one’s digestive system and I guess with over 15 years built up of legal eagle stress, it’s probably only natural that once I finally leave law behind that my system decides that it’s going to give me quite the roller coaster ride. I have found that when I’m cooking, I control the quality of the ingredients and when I use fresh quality ingredients, all is right in the world. …

What To Do With Leftover Chipotle Peppers

June 10, 2012 By Aly 8 Comments

Ever have a recipe that calls for one chipotle but you are stuck with a leftover can of chipotle peppers in adobo that you have no idea what to do with? They can only keep in the fridge for so long before they start looking like a science experiment. When I saw this tip some time ago on the Rachael Ray show, the only thing I could exclaim is “BRILLIANT” and, let me tell you, my pantry (and wallet) are forever thankful.

Next time you have a can of chipotles that need a home, here’s what you can do:…

Fab Friday – All Things Williams Sonoma

September 16, 2011 By Aly 5 Comments

I think come November, you are going to think “Aly – c’mon – it’s WINTER – stop crowin’ about fall finds” but I figure that while I can showcase fall items, I’m going to do it

This week’s Fab Friday choices are from one of my favorite happy places – Williams-Sonoma. I spent some serious time there this week fondling the new displays, kitchen islands, looking at new items, etc. and I have to say – GET THEE TO WILLIAMS-SONOMA STAT – even if it is to stock up on their famous Butternut Squash puree (which, btw, make EXCELLENT butternut squash ravioli – just a thought).

Fab Friday – All Things Williams Sonoma by cookinginstilettos featuring platform shoes

First of all, I am really miffed that the Nine West stores are no longer in Cherry Hill or King of Prussia malls. I would have LOVED to rock this Nine West Mavenue bootie for NYCWFF or for Tuesday’s book signing. Boots and I are funny friends – they have to fit and I can’t buy them sight unseen with certain brands because of size variances. Oh well – I’ll just have to order them for the day to day. Check out that detailing on the heel… Love!

Pieces from Williams-Sonoma’s Heirloom Pumpkin Serveware Collection – especially the Dipping Bowls – will be a must for the Thanksgiving table. Perfect colors – not too cutsey and, yes, I do have a pumpkin candy dish on an end table that I feel adds a touch of whimsy. I’m not going to pull a Sandra Lee and tell you to tablescape everything but if you like fall details, why not incorporate them into your décor, right? Who knows, I might even use the dipping bowls on a desk to hold odds and ends. All I know is that it makes me smile when I see it.

While we are on the subject of tableware, how stunning is this Venezia Wooden 3 Tier Stand. Simple yet elegant.

How do you store your onions, potatoes and garlic? I keep my onions and garlic in a bronze basket on my (little to no room) countertop and I have a potato canister that isn’t as elegant looking as this. I am over the moon about this Potato, Onion & Garlic Storage Canister Set that is on my “must get” list. If anything it will make my kitchen look just a bit more “together.”

You know I had to reference the pumpkin & butternut squash products again at WS, right? Well they are in stock and ready for your pantry. My favorites include the Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta Sauce, the Pumpkin Curry Simmering Sauce, and, of course, the Butternut Squash puree. I stock up on these in the fall/winter because they often sell out and use them throughout the year. Who says pumpkin is only good for fall, right? They haven’t gotten their Apple Cranberry Orange relish in stores yet but when they do, my happy behind is adding that to the stockpile!

Finally, as I’ve said before, I cannot wait to add Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain Cookbook to the cookbook shelf come Tuesday. Bobby will be at the Williams Sonoma in King of Prussia this Tuesday, so Philly peeps, hope to see you there. More details about his cookbook tour are HERE.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Homemade Adobo Seasoning

August 11, 2011 By Aly 7 Comments

Forget the store-bought version – Homemade Adobo Seasoning is so easy to make and adds a delicious spice to your favorite recipes!

This post contains affiliate links to products I trust and love in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos.

I don’t know what kicked off my long term love affair with adobo seasoning – but I can assure you that ever since I started cooking, my pantry has never been without a jar of it. I often use it in many dishes much like my beloved Aleppo Chili Pepper and Smoked Paprika but those are confessions for another day.

I remember when I first learned to cook, one of the best pieces of advice I got from my friends Maria and Milly were “Don’t forget the Adobo” and I couldn’t believe how much flavor this little spice blend brought to my dishes, especially my Arroz con Pollo. Recently, I was leafing through Ingrid Hoffmann’s cookbook and Daisy Martinez’s cookbook and I saw that both of my fave Latina chefs had recipes for adobo. I thought “hmm…. it doesn’t seem complicated to make, I have most of the ingredients on hand” and a culinary experiment was born….

Fab Friday Returns

June 24, 2011 By Aly 1 Comment

Oh Fab Friday – how I’ve missed thee! There’s something about a little virtual eye candy that makes a gal happy. I’m loving the fact that the fall shoes are starting to come out. Now, before you remind me “Aly – it’s just the beginning of summer – don’t bring up fall!”, I have to say that buying fall clothes/shoes are something that I look forward to EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR! Well, I figure I got 8 weeks of shoe lust to get out of my system as I pick out THE perfect stilettos to rock this fall. Don’t worry – I’m sure that many can be worn year round and I promise no boots til at least the beginning of August – fair?

OK – so, now that we got that agreement in place – here’s a few covet-worthy items for you to enjoy!

Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition 6.24.11 by CookingInStilettos featuring christian louboutin pumps

1. These gorgeous Christian Louboutin’s Lavalliere Bow Pumps just channel that “Mad Men” vibe while flashing that red sole. LOVE!

2. I have seen this “COOK” cutting board by Joseph Joseph a few times and every time I see it, I’m tempted to get it for my kitchen. There’s something about it that reminds me of the Philadelphia LOVE sign. I even saw it last week in New York but the price dissuaded me from purchasing it (plus carrying glass home on train – never fun!). However, when I got the email that Cambria Cove was closing, after wiping away my tears, I was thrilled to see this available for sale at such a great price. I even picked up the Sex & The City Cupcake apron I was obsessed with as well as some fabu earrings. I love a great sale but will miss Cambria Cove and their gorgeous products.

3. I was SO disappointed in the Meyer Lemon crops this year. Talk about a short season – I still always look at Whole Paychex to see if, perhaps, they might have a stray, non-moldy (!) Meyer Lemon but so far no go. However, Williams-Sonoma is going to help me brighten up my dishes all year long. They have added not only a Meyer Lemon Braising base to their food products but also Dried Meyer Lemon Peel which will go perfectly when I start using my new Emile Henry Tagine. Note to self: get Meyer Lemon Trees for the apartment and tell the Sous Pug that the trees are for cooking, NOT for him!

4. Every week, it never fails – I purchase a loaf of sourdough bread and vow “One Day I’ll Learn To Make It Myself!” Then I remember that when it comes to baking in stilettos, well, I’m definitely in the beginning stages of bread. However, somehow I think that this Sourdough Starter & Crock from King Arthur Flour will help me get over my fears and, perhaps, I won’t be as terrified to attempt it myself (and, in turn, taking that $4 and putting that in the Stiletto Fund, right?). Plus – when you bake (and cook) with quality ingredients – it can only help.

5. I was in New York last week for an event and decided to take some time that afternoon to visit the Chelsea Market. While I was there, I always tend to buy a cookbook and I have been obsessed with learning to cook Mexican food lately. Now, we already discussed my irrational fear of Baking In Stilettos, but I think that My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats, will help me get over that. The book is beautifully photographed and I read it like a novel the whole train ride home. I am looking forward to giving this book a whirl over the next few months and posting about my baking experiments!

What are you obsessed with this week?