6 things you shouldn’t skimp on
Of course, you can get plenty of groceries at the supermarket. But there are some products that are worth spending a little more money on at a delicatessen or specialty shop. Trust us, your food will genuinely taste better because of it.
Now, don’t smash your piggy bank and spend all your hard-earned money only to end up completely broke. Just buy what you can afford.
Extra virgin olive oil
Dipping your bread in cheap supermarket olive oil? You can, but try really good olive oil and you won’t want anything else. So much more flavor. Preferably choose oil pressed in the previous calendar year. Why? Olive oil (unfortunately) doesn’t last forever. In fact, from the moment it’s pressed, oil only keeps for 1.5 years; after that, its flavor starts to deteriorate.
Smoked salmon
Frank Heyn of Frank’s Smoke House said it best: ‘Supermarket salmon is a kind of factory-farmed salmon that is given extra feed and antibiotics.’ What’s more, supermarket salmon often isn’t even genuinely smoked; smoke flavoring is added instead. Doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? So treat yourself to smoked salmon from a smokehouse instead.
Parmesan
Nothing beats the umami flavor of a good Parmesan. To make sure you’re getting real Italian cheese from the Parma region, it’s best to go to your cheesemonger. At the supermarket, there’s a considerable chance you’ll unknowingly end up with a Dutch cheese with “an Italian character.” And a tip: unlike other cheeses, don’t store your Parmesan in paper—wrap it tightly in plastic wrap instead, so the flavor stays good for longer.
Rose harissa
Whether you use regular harissa or rose harissa makes a world of difference. ‘This stuff is truly liquid gold. It’s spicy, sweet, fresh, floral—everything you want in a good sauce,’ says FavorFlav’s Emma. You won’t find it just anywhere, but luckily we still have the worldwide web, so you can simply order the one from Belazu (Ottolenghi’s favorite) online.
Chocolate
Most of the chocolate bars found in supermarkets are made from bulk cocoa: inexpensive cocoa bought in large quantities. To compensate somewhat for the lack of flavor, some manufacturers also add a hefty amount of sugar. Can’t taste the difference? You really can. Try a piece of chocolate from a delicatessen and you’ll discover many more nuances: spicy, earthy, nutty, floral or fruity, for example. My personal favorite? The Awajun 52% chocolate from Chocolate Makers. € 3.69 per bar—it’s still manageable, right?
