Celebrate Spring

 

Jessica and Andrew, a newly engaged couple, enlist Rachael's help to pull them out of their take-out rut and teach them how to cook. Although it seems like a daunting task, Rachael says the young couple can achieve their culinary dreams with a well-stocked pantry and a little lesson in Grocery Shopping 101.

• If you're stocking your pantry from scratch, get Rachael's printable shopping list.
  You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the list. Download it here.

Armed with a shopping list, Rachael guides Andrew through the grocery store and points out staples for easy, everyday cooking. She says certain ingredients work wonders when you're in a pinch, such as lemons and limes. "Citrus flavors are terrific when you're cooking fast," Rachael says. The "best bargain," according to Rachael, is chopped frozen spinach. And, another necessity if you want foods to have a slow-cooked flavor in 30 minutes or less, says Rachael, is boxed stock.