Are you a Snob?

[mtblujeans]

Are you an Ingredient Snob? I am finding that only real vanilla will do, sea salt tastes much better, and I'll spend the extra for cold buttermilk instead of a buttermilk baking mix!

What better ingredients would we find in your kitchen?

 

[Meriweather]

Penzey's herbs and spices and blends....LOVE that place.
Good quality cocoa and chocolate chips.

 

[piratesmate]

Another real vanilla snob here! It started because our church sends mission groups to Haiti to help at an orphanage several times a year & they bring it back, but now it's all I'll use...even if I have to pay retail price! Good stuff!!

The other thing I'm a snob about is my spices. A small specialty store opened in a nearby town back in 1979. There is such a huge difference between the stuff you buy in the grocery store & these spices! It's amazing to me how much more flavor there is in fresh spices...my mother had the same can of chili powder for years so I didn't know any better. The owner is great, but she's a little slow coming into the new millenium. She finally has a Website, but you can't order online unless you email your order & she doesn't have her prices listed yet. It's fun to read about the spices, though. http://www.thespicesmuggler.com/

 

[cryssi]

pure vanilla extract - I've been buying it from Williams Sonoma

only C&H sugar - no store brand

cocoa powder from Williams Sonoma (although my mom says that Ghiradelli is better)

oh, and I prefer to use real butter...you won't find margarine in my kitchen!

I've also started using kosher salt ala Alton Brown...

 

[porterbl1]

Peets coffee
Valhrona chocolate
King Arthur flour
Penzeys spices and cocoas
Lol butter
Jif peanut butter
Parmigiana Reggiana
salt packed capers
cane sugar
kosher salt
Barillia or better pasta
Lea and Perrins
Frenches mustard


Off the top of my head

 

[patchchild]

Mmmm, Penzey's spices. That's ALL that's in my cabinet these days. They just opened a store about 30 minutes from my house so now I don't even have to wait for them to ship to me.

 

[ButterflyJen]

Penzeys is the only place we get our spices and cocoa. Oh yum. They are so fantastic!!!

 

[liamsaunt]

Another vote for Penzeys--they are the best, and the only spices I will use. Their double strength vanilla is awesome. I also really like their Northwoods seasoning blend.

Other "snob" ingredients (though I don't think it means snob, I think it means good taste!):

real maple syrup, grade B for more flavor
white truffle oil
40 year old balsamic vinegar
plurga butter
organic, free range eggs
organic meats
maldon sea salt
nicolas alzari extra virgin olive oil from Provence
fresh herbs from my garden!
authentic parmegiano reggiano cheese
picholine olives
rustichella d'Abruzzo pasta

Yum!

 

[DeborahA]

I order spices from the spice house in Chicago--so fresh and alot of their blends do not have salt.
I only use good extra virgin olive oil. I won't waste the calories on bad chocolate. We mail order Peets Coffee--because we are hooked and they don't have a store near us.
Kosher salt and sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
imported pasta
fresh herbs
Michigan maple syrup
only butter
oil packed sun dried tomatoes
real vanilla
off the top of my head--didn't really think about it but I guess I am a snob
Deb

 

[bevtoy]

Home made vanilla, from Madascar vanilla beans, takes about 4-6 weeks to make, and only real butter, plus C & H sugars.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Real vanilla! I've made my own homemade vanilla last year and I got the recipe from someone here on the DIS It turned out GREAT!

Land o'Lakes Butter -never use margarine

Ghiradelli chocolate chips. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of this "Penzeys" store that you are all mentioning.

Real Maple Syrup - Vermont of course!

Heinz ketchup

 

[pperfectmom]

Can we have the vanilla recipe? I only use real vanilla, butter, maple syrup, good coffee beans, organic eggs and meat, sea salt , King Arthur Flour and I could go on. It amazes me how many people with a lot more money than I have to spend on groceries buy inferior products. My family would recoil in horror if I put margarine and Mrs. Butterworth's on their sourdough waffles. I think if you are going to take the time to cook for your family, you should use quality ingredients.

BTW, I had no idea there was a cooking forum here. It only took me several months to make this discovery. Now my DIS addiction is going to take up even more time. Thanks guys.

 

[bevtoy]

I would love to have the vanilla recipe also. My vanilla recipe is 4 Madascar vanilla beans slit long ways so you can see the beans. Placed beans (left in the hull) in a bottle with stopper or screw on cap of course, pour rum or brandy over it and let sit about 4 weeks. Refill as necessary, the beans are permanently left in the jar and are reusable. I am not sure if you can substitute other types of alcohol or not, I doubt it would matter as the alcohol cooks out anyway.

 

[Katy Belle]

Yep, me too....real butter, no margarine,
Ghiradelli cocoa and choc. chips, etc
Fresh ground pepper,
sea salt,

At least we all know what is good!
Katy

 

[porterbl1]

Unfortunately, I'm not aware of this "Penzeys" store that you are all mentioning.

www.penzeys.com

I have to mail-order. You can buy really small inexpensive amounts of unusual spices. It's smart to anyway so they do not lose flavor before you use them. Make sure you try:
Sandwich sprinkle
vanillas
cinnamons
cocoas
dried chilies

As well as all thier herbs and spices.
-Becca

 

[mommytotwo]

I think it depends on what I am making and more of a brand snob-as in I may not use generic items for certain things.