If you’re like us, 2024 is the year of remembering we’ve got food at home. However, the only way to fully be successful at this is to spend more time in the kitchen. Transforming everyday meals into extraordinary dining experiences can begin with a simple yet impactful step: investing in premium ingredients. Whether you’re a novice home cook or an enthusiast looking to spend more time crafting meals at home, this approach will significantly enhance the flavors and overall quality of your dishes. Cookbook author and recipe content creator Natasha Greene spoke with us on how to incorporate premium ingredients in home cooking, elevating your at-home cooking experience one meal at a time.

Where to Shop for Premium Ingredients

Greene emphasizes the importance of sourcing fresh and local produce. She suggests visiting local farmers’ markets, which are gems for finding high-quality ingredients. For those without access to farmers’ markets, local supermarkets are excellent alternatives. “If you’re also like me or you like to shop with your thumb on your phone, you can definitely connect to artisanal shops that offer really premium ingredients online. Check out Amazon for any items that you can’t find in person,” Greene shares with Home & Texture. She advises reading reviews and recommendations to ensure the best quality.

Must-Have Premium Ingredients

A well-stocked pantry is key to elevating any dish, according to Greene. Essential items include high-quality olive oil (specifically extra virgin), aged balsamic vinegar, and truffle oils. These are staple items that you’ll use every day and are invaluable for enhancing flavors. Additionally, having broths on hand, particularly during colder months, is crucial for quick, easy cooking and adding depth to soups and stews. Greene shared that she uses broths by the brand Kitchen Basics when cooking.

Ideal Dishes for Colder Months

Greene loves preparing comforting, warm dishes during the colder seasons. Her favorites include beef stew, using quality beef broth, and classic baked chicken with roasted potatoes and fresh herbs. These dishes embody the essence of comfort and warmth, perfect for chilly nights.

Building Flavor in Cooking

Cooking is an art form of building flavors, and Greene highlights the importance of technique. A key method she recommends is searing proteins before braising or stewing. This step locks in flavor and adds an extra layer of deliciousness. It’s these little steps that elevate the overall taste and quality of a dish.

Advice for Novice Cooks

For beginner cooks, Green emphasizes the importance of practice and curiosity. She encourages embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Investing in good kitchen tools is also vital for building confidence and comfort in the kitchen. Enjoying the journey and not striving for perfection is key to becoming a better cook. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I think that mistakes make a dish beautiful and interesting in the end. Your learning is what’s going to take you from being a new cook to being really comfortable in the kitchen,” says Greene.

If you’re looking for recipe inspiration, follow Greene on Instagram, her blog, or shop her cookbooks.