The Notepad: Batool Mohsin
Batool Mohsin, owner and head chef at Rina’s Kitchenette, jots down her favourite ingredients to cook with
Batool Mohsin, owner and head chef at Rina’s Kitchenette, jots down her favourite ingredients to cook with
Olive oil
For me, the flavour of a good quality olive oil is everything. It’s a game-changer in a pasta dish and can either make or break it. Flavoured olive oil is also the real champion of any salad dressing.
Chocolate
Who doesn’t love cooking with chocolate? However, for me, 70 per cent of the time I end up using dark chocolate. Not only is it super-healthy but the mouth-watering taste that it adds to any dessert is simply divine.
Butter
I’m a strong advocate of Julia Child’s quote: “With enough butter anything tastes good.” For me not only does butter enrich the flavour of a dish, but also makes it more wholesome.
Nuts
Be it pine nuts, hazelnuts or walnuts, I simply love the crunch factor and the texture they bring out in any dish!
Fresh thyme and parsley
I love the smell and flavour that fresh herbs add to a savoury dish, especially to soups and stocks used as the base of a main dish. A little sprinkle of fresh parsley elevates the look of a plated dish altogether.
Garlic
I don’t think any cuisine in the world is complete without garlic. Its enhances the flavour of a dish, especially stir-fried ones, and the freshness that it brings to salad dressings is on another level.
Vanilla pods
They are any patissier’s dream come true! I absolutely love the aroma and flavour that fresh vanilla pods bring to desserts.
Olive oil
For me, the flavour of a good quality olive oil is everything. It’s a game-changer in a pasta dish and can either make or break it. Flavoured olive oil is also the real champion of any salad dressing.
Chocolate
Who doesn’t love cooking with chocolate? However, for me, 70 per cent of the time I end up using dark chocolate. Not only is it super-healthy but the mouth-watering taste that it adds to any dessert is simply divine.
Butter
I’m a strong advocate of Julia Child’s quote: “With enough butter anything tastes good.” For me not only does butter enrich the flavour of a dish, but also makes it more wholesome.
Nuts
Be it pine nuts, hazelnuts or walnuts, I simply love the crunch factor and the texture they bring out in any dish!
Fresh thyme and parsley
I love the smell and flavour that fresh herbs add to a savoury dish, especially to soups and stocks used as the base of a main dish. A little sprinkle of fresh parsley elevates the look of a plated dish altogether.
Garlic
I don’t think any cuisine in the world is complete without garlic. Its enhances the flavour of a dish, especially stir-fried ones, and the freshness that it brings to salad dressings is on another level.
Vanilla pods
They are any patissier’s dream come true! I absolutely love the aroma and flavour that fresh vanilla pods bring to desserts.