When one thinks of food -- one of life’s greatest passions -- style and design aren’t usually the first things that come to mind. But Donna Hay, Australian-based food stylist, author and magazine editor, beautifully unifies the two potentially contrasting worlds of glamour and gourmet food.
Donna, who has a flair for food styling, knows that good food never goes out of style -- in fact, it signifies the very essence of style. Cooking since she was just eight years of age, Donna's passion for food would lead her to an extraordinary career as a best-selling cookbook author {18 books to date}, a homewares designer, and a leading food editor, becoming the food editor at Marie Claire at the age of 25. She was named one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cookbook authors by the international Gourmand Awards in January 2007.
Donna's signature style is comprised of the display of delectable recipes made with basic ingredients, and all beautifully photographed -- a style that has become the standard for food publishing worldwide, and the inspiration for a new generation of amateur cooks and would-be chefs alike.
Today, what's on your dinner plate and inside your pantry has become a kind of self-expression -- much like the contents of one’s wardrobe or jewelry box -- and of course, who doesn’t love to indulge in a little of both!
So, this week, we're positively thrilled to invite Donna to share with us:
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{the top five most essential items for your pantry:}
1. Cheat’s Ingredients
These ingredients are an easy way to add plenty of flavour. Chilli Jam is great for stir-fries, mixed through vegetables, or spread over chicken, fish or pork as an easy marinade. Caramelised onion relish, makes a great base to an onion tart, or a tasty pizza mixed with shaved potato and gorgonzola.
2. Wide Neck Glass Storage Jars
I like the convenience of seeing exactly what and how much of an ingredient is inside. Plus, the large neck opening makes them easy to scoop from - you can get a full size measuring cup and your hand inside.
3. Good Selection of Dried Pasta, Rice and Noodles
They are pantry staples and make a great base for a simple home-made meal. Just throw in a few fresh ingredients and in no time you have a fuss-free lunch or dinner, perfect for the family or unexpected guests.
4. Time Poor, Sweet Solution
This is a self indulgent one, but being as time-poor as I am, I love baking and my friends often expect a home-baked sweet treat when they drop over for a coffee. That’s why I developed my new range of baking mixes including cupcakes, an indulgent chunky brownie and chocolate-filled macaron – they’ll never know they were made from a mix and you don’t have to spend half their visit working in the kitchen.
5. Asian Based Ingredients
My favourite vibrant ingredients: soy, fish sauce, palm sugar, sesame oil, all combine for great sauces and dressings on Asian salads or noodles. Simply mix with fresh flavours such as lime juice, coriander and mint, and you’ll have an Asian feast in no time.
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