February 2, 2012 by Tristan

Making your own jam, sausages, ice cream, cheese and more

We lead busy lives. Between work, family and other commitments, having the time and inclination to cook can often suffer.

It’s no surprise, then, that the availability and range of ready-made, instant, pre-packaged food has steadily increased over the decades.

Convenient as it may be, there is a growing resistance against this trend. Increasingly, home chefs and food lovers are rediscovering the joys of ‘creating from scratch’ over buying from the supermarket.

Recently, …

January 30, 2012 by Tristan

Himalayan salt bricks

The popularity of natural materials in cookware is timeless. While we continue to explore steels, plastics and other innovations, there is a connection between the food we eat and the earth we walk on that cannot be broken.

Consider, for example, the timeless appeal of the tagine or clay pot.

The rapidly increasing popularity of Himalayan salt bricks embraces this connection to the earth. …

January 25, 2012 by Tristan

Australian products at The Essential Ingredient

At The Essential Ingredient, we know how lucky we are to live in Australia. While, as Australians, we may not boast a clearly defined national cuisine, we are endlessly fortunate to have such broad access to the dishes, techniques and ingredients of so many varied cultures.

We are certainly proud to stock some of the finest ingredients and …

January 20, 2012 by Tristan

Deglazing: the secret to a perfect sauce

Few things go as well with meat than a pan sauce, and there’s no better (or tastier) way of creating one than by deglazing.

Authentic pan sauces capture the flavour of the meat it will be served alongside, including any marinades, herbs, crusts or stuffings, and even the flavour of any vegetables cooked alongside.

Once your meat leaves the pan, whether it …

January 18, 2012 by Tristan

The history and traditions of paella

Paella, to many, is one of the great icons of Spain. Alongside flamenco music, innovative architecture, art and football, it is a recognisable symbol of this Mediterranean peninsula.

Yet paella, to the Spanish, is a strictly regional dish which, though often enjoyed across the country, has its origins in the region of Valencia, on Spain’s eastern coast.

While many …

January 3, 2012 by Tristan

Happy new year from The Essential Ingredient

The new year is here, and as we polish the last of the champagne glasses and struggle through the last of the leftovers, it’s time to embrace 2012.
As of Thursday 5 January, all The Essential Ingredient stores return to their regular hours of operation (which you can see on the individual store pages).
As always, our shelves are full of …

December 30, 2011 by Tristan

WIN $1000 to spend in an exclusive The Essential Ingredient shopping session

Imagine being given $1000 to spend in your favourite The Essential Ingredient store.

Now imagine having that store all to yourself after the doors have closed; just you and three friends, with our in-store experts available to answer your every question.

We’ll even provide some light refreshments to keep you in the shopping mood.

This exclusive shopping evening could be yours, simply by …

Older Entries »