Jessica Gavin

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Pantry Staples

Get to know the pantry staples behind great cooking and baking, from spices, grains, and oils to flours, sugars, and homemade seasoning blends. I explain what each ingredient does, so you can cook and bake with confidence.

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Jessica's Secrets: Cooking Made Easy!
Get my essential cooking techniques that I learned in culinary school.

Homemade Seasoning Blends

Homemade seasoning blends taste fresher than store-bought, and you control the salt and heat. Store them airtight, away from heat and light, to keep them flavorful.

Spice Guides

Spices get their flavor from aromatic oils. Warming them in a little fat helps release those oils, and storing them away from heat and light keeps them potent longer.

Grain Guides

Whole grains keep their bran and germ, giving them a nuttier flavor and chewier texture than refined grains. They also need a little more cooking time.

Easy Culinary Science Cookbook

Enjoy 75 delicious recipes, essential cooking tips, and step-by-step guides for better cooking.

Learn More about Easy Culinary Science Cookbook

Baking Pantry Staples

In baking, every pantry ingredient has a job. Flour builds structure, sugar adds tenderness and helps browning, and cocoa brings deep chocolate flavor.

Salt, Vinegar & More

Simple staples make a big difference. Salt enhances flavor, acidic ingredients like vinegar and tomatoes add brightness, and bread crumbs add a crisp, golden crunch.

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