The Homemade Pantry
This book was on my must-read list for about two months before I finally got around to picking it up, and I can assure you it was definitely worth the wait. I have devoured each and every story that accompanies the simple yet essential recipes tucked within the pages, and each one inspires me to get into the kitchen more than the last.
Authoritative, practical and down to earth, The Homemade Pantry by Alana Chernila is packed with recipes for 101 common foods that can be made instead of bought. From dairy and cereals to frozen foods and candy, the author shows us that with just a little planning we can all take control of our pantries and fill them with homemade versions of things we typically buy in the store.
The magic of this book though is that every recipe is approachable and useful and can be executed by the humblest of cooks. For example, I was intrigued by her recipe for pie crust because her method is completely different than any other I’ve encountered.
She suggests using a stand mixer in lieu of a food processor to make the dough, and I have to confess, she’s right about it resulting in a fool-proof technique that’s easier than any other I’ve tried (side note: I’ve made her recipe eight times in the past month. I keep making the dough and freezing it, just to see if I can get it to NOT work. I’m happy to say it’s perfect every single time).
Next on my list of recipes to try are the toaster pastries, hamburger buns, and homemade nut butters.
Which one would you most like me to share here?
