[Ron Burgundy]

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Fresh herbs v. dried herbs

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Big difference, no question about it.

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Ground pepper from peppercorns/grinder v. ground pepper from shaker

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Big difference, preground pepper is retarded, it's not any harder or more expensive to use freshly ground.

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Sea salt v. regular salt

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I don't notice a difference in taste, but sea salt is said to contain more minerals and nutrients, so that's what I usually use.

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Fresh chili peppers v. powder

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Chili powder is fine for most recipes.

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Specialty (virgin/extra virgin) olive oil v. grocery store (virgin/extra virgin) olive oil

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What does "grocery store" mean? It all depends on the brand. Some grocery stores have very good brands of evoo.

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Specialty balsamic vinger v. generic balsamic vineger

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I've never had really expensive balsamic, I heard that the best ones are like $150 a bottle and they taste good if you drink it straight.

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Organic fruit/veg v. regular

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Heirloom tomatos are the shiznit, other than that, I don't notice a difference in taste. I mainly buy organic produce to not get cancer.

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Farm/Farmer's market fruit/veg v. grocery store

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Never been to a farmers market. But if anyone knows a good farmers market in Chicago, please tell.

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Premium fresh pasta v. premium dried pasta

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I don't think I've ever had fresh pasta.

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Organic meat v. regular

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I don't eat much meat, but I don't notice any difference in taste.

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Butcher meat v. grocery store

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They still have butchers?

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Free range poultry v. regular

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No difference.

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Grass fed beef v. grain fed beef

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They're both disgusting, I haven't eaten beef in a few years.

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Farmed salmon v. wild salmon

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Wild seems to be a little better.