Our Generation Florida

Fresh Ingredients Make a Difference

In the past decade or so, the neighborhood grocery store has evolved into a tremendous source of fresh and specialty items. I remember the days when I would have to go to an Asian market for fresh ginger, a Latin market for mangoes, a Greek deli for feta cheese, you get the idea. You can now readily find a much wider selection of fresh herbs, spices, seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and grains. This availability of ingredients has also led to a much different style of cooking. Today’s cooks are extremely knowledgeable; they understand the culinary process and they know their ingredients and use them in creative ways. Just watch any television cooking show or even the in-store food demonstrations. Recipes incorporate freshly chopped herbs, grated zests, ground spices, and fruits and vegetables to create healthy, tasty dishes. Don’t get me wrong. There is definitely a place in the kitchen for canned and frozen products, as complements to your fresh ingredients. But the fresh factor makes all the difference.