I was commenting on the Daily Pundit cooking thread, which this week deals with shortcuts and secrets, and I got to thinking about a couple of my favorite British inventions.
Now being a professional chef, I always have some homemade beef or chicken stock at hand. [snort] As if I have time. Sometimes, I'll do up a batch of veal glace to freeze, but that's quite a bit of work. So, I end up using a shortcut, and there's none better than OXO and Bisto.
OXO cubes are the best bouillon cubes I've ever used. Lots of flavor, not too salty and easy to use. Great for Bullshots. They're great for soups and stews. Good to have on hand. My Mom is fanatical about OXO; always manages to have some on hand. Before you could get them from British specialty online shops here in the US, she would make anyone she knew that was going to the UK bring her back some OXO cubes. They thought she was mad, but they always fed her jones for OXO. She's also fanatical about this stuff:
Gravy granules. Right. No, really, this stuff rocks. Comes in various flavors, including onion. Very versatile. Combine with roast drippings, a little red wine and you've got a great quick gravy without any muss or fuss.
The Brits; bless 'em.
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