RESOURCES

COOKING AND BAKING UTENSILS

 

CAZUELAS (earthenware casseroles)

11-inch terracota cazuela

I use this size cazuela for arroz al horno (hearty baked rice), braises (chicken, fish…)

 

Set of 4 (6 inch) terracota cazuelitas

These are perfect for tapas and small servings

 

 

PAELLA PANS

These are the paella pans I use:

Garcima 26-inch (65 cm) carbon steel paella pan A relatively large paella pan too large for my stove, I use this pan when cooking outdoors. It will feed 12 to 20 people depending on the serving size

 

Garcima 18-inch (46 cm) carbon steel paella pan  This is the largest paella pan I use on the stove, staggered over two burners

 

Garcima 16-inch carbon steel paella pan  

A very convenient paella pan for my stove, I use this one outdoors as well

 

Fagor 15-inch enameled steel paella pan  

This is my go-to pan for everyday paella cooking on the stove

 

Garcima 13-inch (32 cm) enameled steel paella pan This pan is the right size for my stove largest burner. It feeds about 4 people, but we’re usually more, so I don’t use it very often. However, it would be perfect for a small family, or for practicing your paella making

 

paella pan 13-inGarcima 13-inch (32 cm) Carbon Steel Paella Pan  Like above, but in carbon steel. I use this one to cook for three or four people, and particularly to make arroz negro, black rice with squid —it just looks better than on an enameled (black) pan

 

     Garcima Round Open Fire Tripod 12-inch

This tripod is perfect for cooking paellas over an open fire, and it’s a good size for a medium paella pan of 15 to 22 inches

Garcima Round Open Fire Tripod 16-inch  This tripod is perfect for cooking paellas over an open fire, and it’s a good size for a large paella pan of 20 to 26 inch

 

 

 

OTHER UTENSILS

Mirro Stainless Steel Food mill    You’ll find mutiple uses for this food mill, from making apple sauce to fruit or vegetable purée. I use it to thin sauces and stocks, and to prepare tomatoes for gazpacho (it removes tomato peels very effectively)

 

Littlepiano Piping Tip  

This tip makes beautiful roses in cake decorating

 

Home Papa Russian Piping Tips  

7 tips for flowers, 2 for leaves (for cake decorating)

 

Braun MQ725 Multiquick Hand Blender, Black I use a Braun immersion blender, a similar model to this one. I like it because it comes with a chopper attachment, a 20 ounce beaker and a wisk attachment, making it very versatile. I use it for purées, for sauces, for gazpacho

 

KitchenAid Blender, 48 oz, Onyx Black. I use this blender to make gazpacho, salmorejo, ajoblanco, shakes and smoothies. Easy to use and easy to clean

 

 

Benriner Slicer with Tray (old version) The best slicer you’ll find, period. Adjust the blade for paper thin slices, or replace it with one of three sizes of shredding blades for julienne to french fry sizes. The box tray neatly holds the finished product. The box tray also incorporates a grater at the bottom for ginger or garlic

 

Reusable Frozen Ice Cream Bar/Popsicle Maker with 24 Popsicle Sticks This set makes the most beautiful ice cream bars. Durable set includes aluminum cover with a BPA free plastic mold and 24 wooden Popsicle sticks. Makes 10 individual 3-ounce ice pops; aluminum cover holds Popsicle sticks up straight while they freeze

Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Frozen Yogurt / Ice Cream Maker (White)

New mixing paddle makes frozen desserts in 20 minutes or less.  Large capacity, makes up to 1-1/2-quarts. Double insulated freezer bowl. Easy lock transparent lid with large spout makes adding ingredients simple and mess free

 

Granite Mortar and Pestle  There are many kinds of mortars and pestles, in different materials and sizes. I like the ones made of granite or ceramic, because they’re heavy and can sustain the pounding they will be submitted to. I have a small collection of mortars and pestles, one exactly like this one

 

 Fine zester

I use this to zest lemon peel, orange peel, nutmeg, and basically any food item that requires a fine grade zesting

 

Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan, 6 x 3 Inch, Silver

This is the perfect cake pan for those cute relatively small but tall-ish layer cakes

 

STAUB Cast Iron Round Cocotte, 4 Qt   This is my favorite brand of cast iron casseroles, or cocottes. Not only they are beautiful enough to leave them on the stove, but they lead to no-fail cooking. The tight fitting lid features self-basting spikes for continuous, even distribution of juices throughout cooking, so the food is moist and flavorful.The smooth enamel bottom works on all stovetops including gas, electric, glass, ceramic, induction and halogen. It’s also oven safe up to 900F/482C without lid, and up to 500F/260C with lid. The interior matte texture results in exceptional browning.

 

Tagine Cooking Pot, Handmade of Clay, 10-Quart (family size) 12″   Cook Chicken, Meat, Seafood or Vegeterian food. Comes with 4 starter recipe booklet
Handcraft Authentic Tagine, for Cooktop or Oven, Made in Tunisia
Cooking in clay greatly enhances the flavor and preserves more of the nutritional value of cooked foods.
Stovetop-safe at low temperature oven-safe up to 300 degrees; not for dishwasher or mircowave
Note: Prior to first time use, the tagine needs to be first SUBMERGED IN WATER for at least 1 hour.\

 

 Zena Swiss STAR Potato & Vegetable Peeler Stainless Steel Blade & Handle  I bought my first Swiss vegetable peeler when I lived in Switzerland in the 80’s-90’s and I’ve never looked back. It has perfect ergonomics and the blade lasts like –forever!

 

OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer  This manual juicer comes with two reamoers, a small one for lemons and limes and a large one for oranges and grapefruit. It is Bpa-free, has a drip-free pour spout, is very comfortable to handle and it is dishwasher safe. 

 

 

 

Nespresso Pixie Espresso Machine My favorite Nespresso machine. It not only makes delicious espressos, but is makes them fast (25 seconds heat time!), looks beautiful on my counter and it takes up minimal space

 

 

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield – Onyx Black  I don’t display many small kitchen appliances on my counters, but the KitchenAid stand mixer makes the cut. Beautiful and sculptural, it looks good and does an amazing job. Baking is a breeze with this machine

 

 

Wilton Mini Spring Form Pan, 3 Count   Dimensions are 4 in diameter by  1 3/4 in high inch. Perfect for baking individual cakes and tarts. Non-stick surface offers reinforced coating that provides quick release and easy cleanup. I have 2 sets of these, they make the cutest tarts, cakes and quiches

 

Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor with Spiralizer and Dicer  Multifunctional Food Processor: This food Processor with spiralizer and dicer is the most multifunctional food processor yet. Breeze through all the standard prep tasks, big and small with 13-cup work bowls, stainless steel blades, and discs. Use the dicer to turn items into perfect little squares for soups, salads, and more, and let the spiralizer instantly create colorful garnishes or healthy low-carb ‘noodles out of your favorite vegetables

  • Feed Tube: Supreme wide-mouth feed tube accommodates whole fruits and vegetables
  • Smooth Operation: It features 2 stainless steel chopping/ mixing blades for the large and small work bowls
  • Dishwasher Safe: It is dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleaning    

 

Griddle Flat Top Stainless Steel Grill Plancha Chef Pro Heavy Duty 19 1/2″x13″   This Stainless Steel Grill is great for sitting on your charcoal or gas grill to cook all types of foods. It has a raised edge on back, front and sides for easy turning of food and prevents food from sliding off the griddle. Made from Full Solid 3.5mm 1/8 Thick 18/10 Heavy Stainless Steel for highest corrosion and wear resistance.This includes: 1-Griddle (19.5″W x 13.25″D ) With 3/4″ splash on all four sides,1-12″Spatula and 1-6″ Scrapper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Altura Tabletop Mini Tripod  Can be used with DSL camera or with smartphone (with attachment)

 

 

Smartphone attachment for tripod with remote control  This fits in my hadbag and it’s great when I’m out or traveling

 

Memory Card Carrying Case with Cleaning Cloth  I take tons of photos and I need a place to organize my memory cards. I love this one in purple, the color of Mama Ía blog

Pack of 2 Memory Card Carrying Cases with Cleaning cloth If you, like me, have a lot of memory cards to store

 

Nikon D5600 DSLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED  For food photography, I use a 35mm lens. When I’m on the go, I use my iphone XR, but I always travel with my Nikon camera

 

 


2-Pack of ecoEfficiency Replacement Nikon EN-EL14 EN-EL14A Battery for Nikon DSLR Cameras
 
I never start a photography project without 3 fully charged replacement batteries. I learned from my own mistake! You don’t want to have a recipe ready to be photographed and run out of battery, food doesn’t wait (imagine if it’s ice cream!)

 

Manfrotto MKCOMPACTLT-BK Compact Tripod   This is the tripod that I use when I travel. I love it because the ball head allows me to easily and quickly move the camera from landscape to portrait and overhead in a simple move

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

Canónigos, machê, corn salad or lamb’s lettuce seeds   A delicate baby salad you won’t even have to cut. It’s common in Soain, but hard to find in the Midwest, so I grow my own

 

Fresh German thyme  I grow it in my garden, potted, so I can transfer it indoors in the winter months. It’s the closest herb to Valencian pebrella I have in Northamerica. Used in many meat dishes, sprinkeld on salads, or in marinades for olives and cheese

 

Spanish Non Pareil Capers in Vinegar and Salt Brine – 33.5 oz.  Tangy, with a taste reminiscent of olives, capers in vinegar and salt brine are used all throughout the Mediterranean as a condiment and to add flavor to many  recipes.

 

      Nielsen-Massey Orange Blossom Water   I incorporate a teaspoon of this into many of my desserts. It makes a difference!

 

 

Nielsen-Massey Pure Orange Extract, 4 oz

 

 

Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract, 8-oz

 

     

    Watkins All Natural Pure Almond Extract, 2 -oz

 

 

      Rodelle Pure Almond extract, 16 Ounce  The larger bottle is more economical per ounce of extract

 

 

Almond Flour, 3 Pound  I use this flour for much of my baking. Gluten free!

 

Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa Powder, Dutch Processed, 25 oz in a resealable bag I like to use dutch processed baking cocoa in my baking

 

 

Vinagre de Jerez, Sherry Vinegar Stronger and thicker than other vinegars, it marries perfectly well with extra virgin olive oil for dressings and cold soups

 

Squid ink, Tinta de calamar, 4gr x 8 sachets This is an indispensable ingredient to make arroz negro, black rice, as striking in looks as it is delicious

 

Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine 16.0 OZ (Pack of 2)  The better the sherry wine, the better, and if you can find Spanish sherry (Jerez) even better yet. But I find this to be a good, affordable sherry wine for many stews and soups

 

 

Arroz Rice Dacsa Round Rice D.O. Valencia – 2 bags of 2.2 LBs  This is Bomba rice, my rice of choice for paella, or any Valencian rice dishes

 

 

        Lazzaroni Amaretti cookie snaps, 7 ounce  I use these mostly for tarta crusts, but they’re delicious on their own

 

Sanchis Mira Turron de Jijona. 7 oz. , from Spain. Pack of 2  There are many brands of turrón, this is one of them. Turrón de Jijona comes from Jijona, in the province of Alicante, Spain.

 

 

El Almendro Turron Duro de Alicante, 200 grs (7 oz.)  This is one good brand of turrón. Turreon de Alicante comes from Alicante, Spain

 

 

Fabes de Asturias, 2,2 Lb (1 Kg) If you can get “the real thing”, get fabes de Asturias to make fabada asturiana

 

Spanish Saffron Threads 5-GramCategory 1 Spanish saffron filaments, grown without pesticides or fertilizers, produced and packed in Spain. Spanish saffron prized for its high quality, and it’s well known for its aroma, flavor and coloring capabilities

 

Saffron Carmencita – Authentic Spanish Azafran Threads in Glass Jar   Spanish Azafran adds its delicate colour and flavor to any type of elaborations, like: Paellas, stews, soups, pastas. A third of this package (0.1g) is enough for recipes of 4 portions. Due to its easy use and fast dissolution it can be added directly during cooking of any dish.

 

Carmencita Spanish Azafran Ground Saffron 400mg Packet. Ground Spanish saffron, very convenient when you don’t want to go through the process of treating the threads first. The box contains 4 individual sachets, good for 4 uses

 

 

 

PEPPERS

       Pimentón de la Vera Sweet

 

       Pimentón de la Vera Hot

 

      Pimentón de la Vera Bittersweet 

 

      Ñora peppers, whole, dried

 

Matiz Espana Piquillo Peppers, Denomination of Origin Lodosa, 7.6 ounce  The original piquillo peppers from Lodosa, Navarra

 

 

 

OLIVE OIL

Carbonell Extra Virgin Versatile, I use it for cooking and for salads

 

         Núñez de Prado Extra Virgin, great for salads

 

       Dehesa de la Sabina, USDA Organic Extra Virgin I use this one mostly on salads

 

    Betis Low Acidity Spanish Olive Oil Great for cooking

 

 

 

This is a list of some of the supplies, tools and ingredients I use in my cooking, baking, and photography for this blog. I find Amazon to be a great source for anything from memory cards to otherwise hard to find ingredients and tools, and therefore participate in their Associates program (I rather bring them from Spain, if you ask me! But that’s not always feasible). Through the Amazon Associates program, I receive a small percentage on items bought on Amazon through the links on this site, which  allows me to continue doing what I do with the same level of quality you’re used to. Thank you for your support!