Cassia buds are not as commonly used as other parts of the cassia tree, but they are still useful for providing a novel twist on the cinnamon flavor. However, that cassia buds are not a well-known spice means that you may have a hard time hunting them down. If you …
Epazote is a Mexican herb with a long history of use by both Aztecs and Mayans. In both food cultures, it was primarily a medicinal herb. Today, you may see it as one of the ingredients in some Mexican recipes; in particular, recipes from Yucatan. It is rarely used outside …
Nigella seeds show up in many Indian recipes, especially those from the northern Indian states of Punjab and Bengal. The spice is available from online merchants and Indian grocery stores, but if neither of these is an option or if you don’t like the taste of nigella seeds, consider an …
Sorrel is a popular herb in Europe and can be found in certain parts of North America. Its tart flavor makes it a good complement for fatty fish like salmon and for eggs. Sorrel can even be used in soup; sorrel soup was a popular dish during the colonial era. …
Sansho pepper is essential for a traditional Japanese take on fatty dishes like grilled eel and duck. Its heat and citrus notes are great complements for both of those proteins, but the spice may not be the easiest to find in an emergency. If you need a fast sansho pepper …
Agar agar powder is an essential ingredient if you want to make certain Asian candies or if you want a vegan gelling agent. The downside is that it is not a widely used ingredient, which means that you may not find it in most grocery stores. If you need something …
Vanilla paste is a blend of whole vanilla beans, vanilla extract, along with sweeteners and a thickener. The result is a source of vanilla flavor that is well suited for custards, creams, and moister desserts. Not only does vanilla paste provide a strong vanilla flavor, it provides the small black …
Lemon peel is a great way to get the true flavor of lemon into your food. You can use both the fresh and dried rind as a spice. The flavor lemon peel brings can pair well with a vast number of ingredients and works in both sweet and savory dishes. …