Favorite Sauces & Seasoning

I am officially on a holiday from cooking for 2 weeks. My hubby is away on business and for some reason, cooking just isn't so much fun for 1 as it is when you're cooking for 2. So instead of a new dish, I thought I would share some of my fave sauces and seasonings that I use in my cooking.

I'm always curious to know what others use but too embarrassed to poke around in their kitchen! As you can see from my dishes, I like to cook simple meals using simple ingredients, and the sauces and seasonings are no exception. I don't think you need to get all these fancy schmancy sauces to make your food taste great. Just a little love will do :)

So below are some faves that I use in a lot of my cooking:



From the top, left to right:

Product: Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce
What I use it for: Asian cooking and marinades
Why I love it: Great all round soy sauce, tastes great, and fantastic value for money (I bought this large bottle at Flemington for only $1.80!)

Product: Moro Extra Light Olive Oil
What I use it for: Everything!
Why I love it: Good for general cooking, great value for money, and produced and packed in Spain

Product: Berri Lemon & Lime Squeeze
What I use it for: Marinades, salad dressings, pasta sauces
Why I love it: I try to use juice from fresh lemon and lime where possible, but these taste no different and last a lot longer when kept in the fridge.

Product: Leggo's Tomato Paste
What I use it for: Pasta sauce, pizza sauce, risotto
Why I love it: This is the only tomato paste I ever use. It is great quality and such an essential part of many Italian dishes I make.

Product: Praise Extra Virgin Olive Oil French Vinaigrette
What I use it for: salads
Why I love it: I like light tasting salad dressings (so that I can still taste the veggies!) I was so happy to discover this one. Everything else I have used before is usually too heavy or too tangy for my taste.

Product: Always Fresh Sundried Tomatoes in Canola Oil
What I use it for: risotto, pasta, salads
Why I love it: True to its brand name, it is always fresh!! Kept in a jar and can last in the fridge for a long time. If I ever want a little kick in my dish, I just reach for the jar!

Product: Masterfoods Smokey BBQ Marinade
What I use it for: ribs and chicken wings
Why I love it: When I don't have time to make my own marinade, I always go with this marinade. Sometimes it tastes even better than the marinades I make! Great with most meats.

Product: Dried herbs & spices from Molly MacKenzie Food Products
What I use it for: many different dishes, depending on which herb or spice
Why I love it: Ever tired of having to throw away half a container of dried herbs because the expiry date has passed? It happens to me all the time! What I like about this product, compared to other brands like McCormick's, is they seem to last whole lot longer. It's probably a little more expensive, but it's worth it because you don't waste half of it. For example, I bought these ones in early 2008 and they last until 2011 or 2012!