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Sun-dried tomatoes are tomatoes preferably dehydrated under the direct rays of the sun. Thanks to this dehydrating technique they keep their aroma, tart acidity with some sweetness and chewy texture as well as vitamins and beneficial properties.  While it’s the best way to dehydrate tomatoes, you can also dehydrate them in the oven or dehydrator … Read more

Turmeric is a spice coming from the ginger family. It is native to southern India and Indonesia and has gained popularity in many cuisines. It is used in stews, soups, curries, pickllings, vegetable and rice dishes, smoothies, juices and hot drinks.  It has a bright orange color which reflects on the dish. It is often … Read more

Celery belongs to the same family as carrots, parsley and celeriac. It has a crunchy texture and strong aroma which makes it one of the fresh condiments for soups, stews, salads, pasta pots, pickles and many other dishes calling for flavorful herbs, greens and vegetables.  Although celery can be found all year round, you may … Read more

Dried mango powder, also known as amchoor powder, is a fruity seasoning used in marinades, soups, curries, meats and vegetable dishes.  It’s something between tamarind and lime juice and tastes sour-sweet. It is popular in Indian and Pakistani cuisines.  So, if you face difficulties finding this condiment, you may use some of the most suitable … Read more

The usage of tomato juice is so versatile that it has become one of the best refreshing drinks all around the globe. It is used in drinks, cooked dishes, sauces and salads as a condiment and dressing.  The fresh flavor, bright red color and earthy flavor of tomato juice mixed with sweet and fruity touches … Read more

Fish sauce is a liquid seasoning made of small fish called anchovies. It undergoes a fermentation process with the addition of salt in the marinade for about 1-2 years.  It is used in many cuisines including Southeast Asian, Filipino, Vietnamese and Thai. They use this sauce the same way as soy sauce in Chinese dishes. … Read more

Sea bass is an edible variety of fish native to the Pacific waters near Mexico and California. There are several types of sea bass and they are generally bony and flaky, the bones and scales of which are removed before cooking.  You can make many delicious dishes with this fish and thanks to their moisty … Read more

Vermouth is a fortified and aromatized wine made of a variety of botanicals, spices, herbs, sweeteners and a touch of brandy. There are two main varieties of vermouth:  sweet (rosso or red) that comes from Italy and dry vermouth originating from France.  Vermouth has a mild sweetness, some bitterness and spicy notes. It is used … Read more

One of the most popular sauces in Chinese cuisine is black bean sauce. It is made of salted fermented black soybeans, douchi, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and other flavors. It has a sharp, salty, bitter and kind of umami-savory taste.  Black bean sauce is served with seafood, stir-fries and steamed dishes. You can find it … Read more

Egg yolks are a great source of iron, folate and vitamins and they are one of the most nutritious foods out there. They are good for eye and brain health and many people use them in everyday recipes.  However, there are people who don’t like eggs, some others are allergic to eggs and a group … Read more

Grapeseed oil is one of the most useful oils in cooking and skincare. It has many health benefits and high smoke point (around 420°F) which allows it to be used in searing meat and vegetables, serving as a topping for salads and baked goods. It comes with a neutral flavor  Grapeseed oil is popular particularly … Read more

Besides the ones that we buy from stores, there are several custard powder recipes with similar ingredients that you can make at home. The main ingredients in custard powder are milk, sugar, egg yolk, cornstarch and vanilla.  It is usually used in cake, pudding and other dessert recipes and seems to be an easy alternative … Read more

Between so many root vegetables, carrots may be your favorite. It is rich in vitamins and nutrients and is one of the most widely used veggies for cooked dishes, desserts, smoothies and not only.  You can even eat it just the way it is and enjoy its sweet, earthy and woody flavor. Sometimes carrots are … Read more

Compared to many savory condiments, red pepper flakes are among the hottest spices that some people can’t tolerate.  If you are among this group of people then take a look at this guide to the best red pepper flakes substitutes to use whenever you need to replace it with a lower-heat option or don’t have … Read more

Half and half is the mixture of equal amounts of milk and cream. It’s a simple blend of two dairy products with a creamy texture used in baked goods, cream sauces, mixed drinks, pasta recipes, mashed potatoes and many more.  Sometimes you may run out of this useful dairy product and you may want to … Read more

Currants are small, dark-colored berries with sweet and sour flavor. Fresh currants are basically used in pies, tarts, puddings and fruit salads like other berries. You can also make refreshing compotes and drinks.  Dried currants, on the other hand, are used not only in sweets like jellies but also in savory dishes including pilafs and … Read more

If you have ever used sesame seeds in cooking or baking then you should know how good it is for your health. You can eat them both raw and toasted.  We use sesame seeds as a condiment and topping for stir-fries, salads, soups, sushi as well as for tahini paste, baked goods, sweet and savory … Read more

You often buy or make different sauces at home but when it comes to plum sauce, you realize that it’s something unique made with a traditional recipe.  And, yes, this sauce has a history, as it comes from the old Chinese cuisine and has become a favorite sauce in many other cuisines and restaurants.  Plum … Read more

Broccoli rabe is a green leafy vegetable that looks like broccoli but is practically closer to turnip. The entire vegetable is edible and full of vitamins. It is popular especially in Italian dishes but you can find it in California markets too.  It tastes nutty and has some bitterness. You can use this green in … Read more

Shiitake mushrooms are an edible type of fungus originating from China and Japan. They contain a chemical called lentinan which is good for the immune system.  You can eat them both raw and cooked, but they are more often used in cooked dishes to bring out the best of their flavor.  Shiitake mushrooms have a … Read more

Pie weights are small ceramic or metal balls used to fix the form of the dough at the first stage of the baking process.  Of course not everyone owns them but when it comes to pies, tarts and other baked goods that call for similar items we need to use something else instead.  Luckily pie … Read more

Cooking string, kitchen twine or butcher’s twine: whatever you call it, it’s the string used when cooking meat. It is made of 100% pure cotton and is oven-safe. It helps to keep the meat in place and cook it evenly.  You may wonder if there is a butcher’s twine substitute when you don’t have it … Read more

Celery seeds taste like celery stalks only a bit stronger and with a bitter taste. They have a wide usage in culinary as a condiment. These tiny seeds are meant to season pickling, barbeque dishes, roasted veggies, salads, sauces, soups and potato dishes.  You can use different forms of celery to replace celery seeds as … Read more

Fish stock is one of the most flavorful broths made of fish bones, heads, and other trimmings. It is used in cooking for a number of reasons: to add a fishy flavor to the dish or to make it more nutritious. You can use it in gumbo, seafood bisque and étouffée. If you don’t have … Read more

Gruyere is an Alpine smooth, melting type cheese with Swiss origin. It is made of whole cow’s milk and is usually aged for about six months or even more. It has a mild, sweet and slightly salty flavor but in most cases the taste varies with age.  Gruyere is one of the most popular types … Read more

There are a lot of different fueling substitutes out there. Some people like to go with shakes, others prefer bars. And then there are those who like to mix it up with a combination of the two.  So, what’s the best way to fuel your body? Ultimately, it’s up to you and what works best … Read more

The ground, dried leaves of the sassafras tree are known as a condiment called file powder. It has a unique root beer flavor and is used in soups, seafood stews, gumbo, gravies and sauces.  The main function of file powder, however, is to thicken the dish.  There are cases when you run out of spices … Read more

Lime juice is used in many dishes, cocktails, mixed drinks, sauces, marinades, fruit salads and sweets. It’s a citrusy and flavorful juice that you can replace with other juices, flavors and seasonings to have a similar taste in your dish.  In case, you have no limes in hand for a particular recipe or have allergies … Read more

Whole cloves are dried brown buds that come from reddish flowers of a tropical evergreen tree. They are among the most intensely flavored spices. Their usage is more than versatile and clove has its special place in many traditional cuisines all over the world.  Cloves are usually used as an aromatic spice in savory dishes, … Read more