The Perfect Pantry®

Cocoa powder (Recipe: cocoa-cumin-allspice rubbed rib-eye steak)

First published in July 2006, this updated ingredient post features new photos, links, and significant changes to the recipe, just in time for the holiday weekend. Get your grill on!

Sometimes I uncover an item in my pantry that's a bit of mystery. I know I should have it. In fact, I'm never without it. I just don't know why.

Cocoa powder is the mystery du jour.

What, exactly, is cocoa powder? What makes some of it Dutch-processed? Is natural cocoa powder better, or just different?

Here's what I've learned.

Recipe for grilled Asian turkey breast with soy, garlic and chili paste

TRUE CONFESSION: I am that crazy woman who stands outside in the middle of winter in a coat and scarf and mittens, tending the grill on the back porch, at the mercy of the elements. The first time I made this Asian-flavored turkey breast, shot through with soy, garlic and my favorite chili paste, that was the scenario; in fact, it was snowing, which made the act of grilling heroic and the result worth every moment of frozen-fingered suffering. Now that the weather is warmer, I grill more often, and more comfortably. Put thoughts of the all-day Thanksgiving turkey out of your mind; boneless turkey breast cooks quickly. If you can't find a whole boneless turkey breast, buy a bone-in and ask the butcher to break it down for you (save the bones, wings and neck for stock). I use this garlicky, spicy turkey to add spark to sandwiches, summer rolls and pasta salads.

Recipe for green curry fish with asparagus and peas

Fresh green chili, garlic, wild ginger, shallot, lemon grass, salt, kaffir lime, sugar, galangal, coriander seeds, cumin, cardamon, tumeric: That's the ingredient list on the tub of Thai green curry paste in my refrigerator. No artificial ingredients, no additives, no unpronounceables. So, call store-bought curry paste a convenience food, if you must, but this is one convenience food I always have in my pantry. I'm partial to two brands, Mae Ploy and Maesri, sold in nearly identical little plastic tubs in most Asian markets (and online). Both are made with all-natural ingredients, and either will enhance this green curry fish with asparagus and peas. Use any white fish from the market, and if it's not asparagus season, try green beans or zucchini. Just keep it green.

Cowboy turkey meatloaf recipe

Here in the hills of northern Rhode Island, we're surrounded by farms -- goat farms, herb farms, blueberry farms. We have horse farms, too, and plenty of them, but I have yet to run into any cowboys. Still, our village market sells Cowboy Ketchup, a heavenly condiment that's a little bit ketchup, a little bit mustard, and a little bit barbecue sauce. It's good enough to attract cowboys, and maybe that's the plan. You can slather some on a burger, of course. I really love to use it in this cowboy turkey meatloaf, where the sauce adds moisture to the very lean turkey, along with a little bit of the smoky flavor of barbeque. I always have a bottle or two in the pantry, so if you're reading this and you're a cowboy, come on by. I might have a meatloaf or two in the freezer.