Clever items that make every day better

Things Cooks Know

STRATEGIES, TECHNIQUES, AND TIPS ON HOW TO SHOP SMAR T IN THE NEW YEAR —FROM TH E R EAL SIMPLE TEST KITCHEN TO YOUR S

By Ananda E i delste in

Don’t Avoidthe Freezer Aisle

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. Stock Up Like a Chef

Multipurpose staples can enhance everyday dishes, even when you’re short on time. Keep these key ingredients on hand.

ALMONDS Nutrient-dense, almonds lend satisfying texture to cooked grains and main-course dishes. ANCHOVIES Use these little fish to add a briny hit of umami to pastas, sauces, and salad dressings. BLACK PEPPERCORNS Freshly grind every time for fullest flavor. CANNED CHICKPEAS Roasted until crispy or served simply as is, these protein-packed legumes bulk up soups and salads.

CANNED TOMATOES Great for your Italian dishes, obviously, but also in chili and braises. FLAKED SEA SALT A finishing salt, perfect for vegetables and seared meats, that adds flair and crunch. A HUNK OF PARMESAN Freshly shaved or grated, this nutty cheese perks up pastas, salads, and soups. LEMONS Zest and juice brighten almost anything—chicken, pastas, seafood, veggie sides. Tech to Take to the Store

Let these helpful apps lend you a hand.

KEY RING 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.

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 referenceun familiar ingredients.

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.