Be still. It’s that wonderful time of year when we can pull in, silence ourselves and take stock of our lives.
And stock our pantries!
Cooking from scratch is a tradition that nourishes not only the body but the soul. Cooking for ourselves and putting-away, cooking for others as an expression of love or simply cooking as a craft to add to our bank of skills, it’s cozy winter entertainment with delicious results!
While many of you rely on our prepared meals—and we wouldn’t want to discourage it—the store stocks many pantry items that can allow you gorgeous meals prepared at home. In fact, we carry many pantry items that you would not be able to find in local grocery stores. Here are a few and how to use them:
Sherry Wine Vinegar
Unlike red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar, this is less acidic and aged for 20 years like a cellared wine resulting in a mellowed earthy flavor. Use in a salad dressing or splash a couple tablespoons into a finished stew or soup of any kind to brighten its flavors.
Dehydrated garlic
This is the partnership of two women who grow their own garlic, one partner here in New Hampshire and the other in Kittery, Maine. This tastes just like fresh garlic! Grind a bit to add flavor to sandwiches or salads OR use it by the teaspoon instead of fresh garlic cloves to cook with. Easy and versatile.
Smoked Sea Salt
Smoked over apple wood, this chunky salt is a nice way to finish a dish adding little smoke and crunch. It also enhances your stews and soups plus makes an excellent crusty rub over any grilled or roasted meat/veggie.
Sriracha Sea Salt
Infused with dehydrated Sriracha chili, this chunky salt adds some heat sprinkled over any dish and also makes an authentic addition to guacamole. Use it also as a crunchy rub over veggies and meats before grilling. Try adding a 1/4 tsp or so to your homemade margarita mix; its fantastic!
Creamed honey
Just like Maple Cream, this is honey that is concentrated and whipped for a creamy texture. Yes, you can use it in your tea or coffee, yes you can use it spread on toast instead of jam but it is also a versatile condiment. Try it as a healthful frosting on cookies or cakes, over ice cream, blended with softened cheese for a cracker spread or use as a fruit dip.
Sunflower oil
Cold pressed without the use of chemicals, this locally grown oil is superb for cooking and dressing with. It sustains high temperature cooking so you can sauté and fry with it. It is grown right here in Concord, maintains all the organic specifications and is heart healthy full of anti-oxidants. And it is delicious!
Click here for next week’s plan-ahead specials menu.
TONIGHT! Meet the artist’s and sample pizza!
It’s our normal pizza night tonight–order ahead and take away 4-6pm–but we are also hosting our artist’s from our latest art show FACES. From 5-6pm we are sampling Dave’s pizza creations and some really great new beers.
Have a great week-end,
Jane and Dave
We will be closed 4 Sundays this winter so that we can reorganize and rest a bit.
CLOSED SUNDAYS JAN. 19 & 26 and FEB. 2 & 9
OPEN Monday – Saturday 7am-6pm
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Canterbury Country Store 
What is the pizza featured in the photo? Looks delicious.
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It’s the Green Monster with added pineapple. Come tonight 5-6 to sample it!
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I’ll have a meatloaf sandwich please!
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Come on in Saturday!
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