6 Items In Kelci Hind’s Pantry

Food aficionado Kelci Hind shows us her must-have kitchen and bar staples for the holiday entertaining season

photograph by jared sych

As co-owner of The Silk Road Spice Merchant, a business with a serious foodie following, Kelci Hind has a certain reputation to live up to when hosting, and her own products go a long way in delivering simple dishes with interesting flavours. “If I make meatballs, I use the Alhambra Merguez seasoning – that and a big plate of spaghetti and everyone is happy. I grew up a picky eater, very Alberta meat and potatoes. I’m over it now, but I’m still sensitive to making sure people feel comfortable by serving food that’s not too out there,” she says.

Tomato paste

“I find it adds that umami flavour to soups and sauces, but cans can be so wasteful if you just need a little, so I like the tubes. I buy the double-concentrated.”

Manchego cheese

“It’s my favourite ever. Everybody likes it.”

De Cecco pasta

“It’s a good reliable Italian brand that any supermarket will have. It’s inexpensive and it’s hard to screw up pasta.”

Craft beer

“I do love wine and cocktails, but beer is my favourite. I always have a collection of interesting beers in the fridge. When people say they don’t like beer, that’s a challenge for me to find one they like.”

Brassica dill mustard

“This is where the brand really matters. I love all the Brassica mustards, but the dill is my favourite. You get a crunchy little pop when you eat it, it pairs well with many things, but it’s also good with just bread or crackers.”

Roasted walnut oil from Evoolution

“I use it with the red apple balsamic vinegar and the two are really delicious together. I’ll just get some excellent bread and serve that, or it’s great as a salad dressing.”