The Basics

The Following Preparations are used numerous times throughout this book — most of them are standbys with which all good cooks should be familiar. Making and Freezing stock when you can, preparing sauces from summer produce for winter use, keeping sugar syrup and tamarind liquid at the ready mean that, in conjunction with the preparations in Spice Mixes, your culinary repertoire can expand as if by magic. If you put the effort in when you have the time, you can reap the benefits when you don’t — and enjoy the fruits of your labours.