THE REALIST
Things Cooks Know ST R AT E G I E S, T E C H N I Q U E S, A N D T I P S O N H O W T O S H O P S M A RT I N T H E N E W Y E A R — F RO M T H E R E A L S I M P L E T E ST K I TC H E N TO YO U R S By Ananda Eidelstein
Tech to Take to the Store Let these helpful apps lend you a hand. lightens the load on your key chain by storing all your loyalty cards (and gift cards) in one place for easy access. Bonus: The app lets you create and share shopping lists and find coupons and nearby sales.
KEY RING
It’s not all frozen pizza and ice cream down this way: Frozen fruit and vegetables are plenty healthy. Picked and put on ice at its peak, frozen produce maintains high nutrient levels and great flavor. Plus, our favorite shortseason varieties, like cherries and peas, are available year-round. Try frozen cherries in a sauce for pork tenderloin at dinner or a rustic galette for dessert.
Go to realsimple.com/ frozen for more smart tips on shopping the freezer aisle.
30 R E A L S I M P L E JA N UA RY 2018
Stock Up Like a Chef Multipurpose staples can enhance everyday dishes, even when you’re short on time. Keep these key ingredients on hand. A L M O N D S Nutrient-dense, almonds lend satisfying texture to cooked grains and main-course dishes.
C A N N E D T O M AT O E S Great for your Italian dishes, obviously, but also in chili and braises.
A N C H OV I E S Use these little fish to add a briny hit of umami to pastas, sauces, and salad dressings.
F L A K E D S E A S A LT A finishing salt, perfect for vegetables and seared meats, that adds flair and crunch.
B L A C K P E P P E RC O R N S Freshly grind every time for fullest flavor.
A H U N K O F PA R M E S A N Freshly shaved or grated, this nutty cheese perks up pastas, salads, and soups.
C A N N E D C H I C K P E A S Roasted until crispy or served simply as is, these protein-packed legumes bulk up soups and salads.
COZI, from Time Inc., which also owns Real Simple, makes planning dinner easier by transferring online recipe ingredients straight to your grocery list. Then plan your meals by scheduling said recipe for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. Lists are accessible by the whole family if you choose, and you can make your own subheadings depending on how you shop.
L E M O N S Zest and juice brighten almost anything—chicken, pastas, seafood, veggie sides.
Photograph by Helen Norman
O F F S E T ; I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y A D A M C R U F T
SPECIALTY PRODUCE is a user-friendly encyclopedia of fruits, vegetables, and spices. It provides a vast amount of information on more than 2,200 items, including flavor profiles, pairing suggestions, and images that help you visually reference unfamiliar ingredients.
Don’t Avoid the Freezer Aisle
