Hello all!  As we are about to ring in the new month of May, for some reason, that just seems exciting and a welcome change.

 

I hope you all are doing well.

 

I was reading some fun ideas for kitchen hacks, ways that are helpful for us in general as we wander around the kitchen and foods these days.  

 

While we are at home, many adults, as well as kids, may have more time and interest in kitchen tasks and creating and finding more recipes and tips that help to not just make life easier, but to add to your nutrition intake each day.

 

I’ve got a few ideas to share over the next few weeks.  Today I’ll start with a few key staple sauces that can make ANY dinner taste like a dream.  

 

I’d also like to point out that ALL of the ingredients below you can easily, quickly, and safely find at your local Quality Greens market.

 

The beauty of having a few great sauces on hand is not just the health benefits (such as ginger, garlic are amazing for your immune system).  But, also an ability to add delicious flavours to maybe somewhat dull or uninviting veggies and meals is a huge bonus.  

 

Here are a few ideas to start with - simple but don’t be shocked if you want to make these just to eat right off the spoon!

 

If you have a few random left over veggies - don’t underestimate the power of say a carrot or 2, celery, some limp spinach, maybe cabbage and/or broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, or anything else that looks edible.  Or maybe you are lucky and have fresh crisp veggies that you just picked up! Toss what you have in a fry pan with some coconut oil, add some left over rice, or cook up some rice noodles, quinoa, or what have you, and you will be a rock star in 10 minutes.

 

These sauces do not need to be cooked, but its great to add them in at the end of a quick stir fry/heating of veggies with rice/grain/beans/etc, to make it a nice warm comfort bowl of yummy.

 

Korean BBQ sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce or barges aminos or tamari - pick any of those 

1/4 cup sesame oil

2 Tbsp brown sugar (white sugar or maple syrup or honey can work in a pinch)

1 tsp of grated ginger (real root is BEST but use the dried spice if that is all you have)

1 tsp red pepper chilli flakes

 

 

Hoisin Ginger Sauce

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger

 2 cloves garlic

 

** Notice that the soy sauce sesame and ginger is repeating - soooo good!!

 

 

Peanut Sauce you will just adore!

1/2 cup peanut butter (almond is ok to use as well or instead of)

1/3 cup soy sauce

2Tbsp sesame oil

2Tbsp rice vinegar

2Tbsp chilli paste (can add some red hot or a bit of sriracha if that is all you have)

2 inch of ginger - grated

2 cloves fresh garlic peeled

2 Tbsp sugar or honey

 

 

With all of these sauces you can either blend all ingredients in a blender or simply used an immersion blender (1 litre mason jars work great with immersion blenders) and blend until smooth.  I often double sauce recipes as leftovers can be like a best friend some days.

 

There are so many other options, these are just ones that came to mind, but you can find many other options for bases such as miso, goat cheese, lemon, citrus, apple, balsamic, tomato, and so on.  It is endless!  I’d love to hear of your favourites!!

 

The selection and quality of the produce and grocery items at Quality Greens is still incredible.  Their attention to customer and staff safety and ensuring proper cleaning is comforting.  Quality Greens has been and still is one of my favourite stores to shop and fill up on quality foods.  Thank you for all your hard work Quality Greens!

 

Have great week!

Lisa