Thai Basil Thai Basil (bai horapha) is a wonderfully aromatic and fragrant herb. It has a characteristic purplish stem with leaves similar in shape to Italian basil. The taste imparted can be both sweet and similar to that of anise. This herb can mostly be found in the fresh vegetable sections of Asian Groceries. |
Roasted Sesame Dressing Roasted Sesame Dressing can be found in Asian Groceries and may also be found in the Asian food sections of some supermarkets. The sauce is light in colour and its texture is smooth and slightly grainy due to the grounded sesame seeds. The taste is intensely flavoursome and can accompany most meats and salads. |
Japanese Golden Curry Japanese Curry blocks such as the brand shown here are sold in Asian Groceries and may also be found in the Asian food sections of some supermarkets. They appear like large brown stock cubes and will need to be cooked down so that the flavour can be released. Take note of the different versions that can be bought like ‘mild’ or ‘hot’. Can also be referred to as instant Japanese Curry Roux mixes. |
Mirin Mirin is an alcohol based cooking rice wine that when used, adds a sweet touch to dishes. Although similar to Sake, it has a lower alcohol content and a light syrupy consistency. It is used extensively in Japanese cooking and is great for sauces and grilling meats. Mirin can be found in Asian Groceries and in the Asian food sections of some supermarkets. |
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Miso Paste Miso is a common ingredient used in Japanese cooking and is a fermented soy bean paste. There are many varieties of Miso, ranging from white to the more darker varieties, each with its own unique taste, texture and varying degrees of saltiness. |
Shaoxing Wine Shaoxing Wine is a Chinese cooking Wine that is made from fermented rice. It can be described as having quite a sharp scent but with sweet undertones and a taste that is mildly unassuming but enhancing. There may be varying levels of alcohol content depending on the brand or the origin of the wine. Check for variations in spelling as the example shown is Shao Hsing Wine. Shaoxing Wine is mostly found in Asian Groceries. |
Enoki Mushrooms Also known as Enokitake, these mushrooms are characterised by their long thin stems and bud like tops. These mushrooms have a mild taste and can be desribed as having a stringy and chewy texture when cooked. Enoki can mostly be found in Asian Groceries and specialist Greengrocers. |
Rice Vermicelli Noodles Rice Vermicelli Noodles are long, thin strands of noodles made from rice and water and are typically sold as dry noodles in packets. They are used in many Asian cuisines for soup or stir fry noodle dishes and have a light airy taste and texture. Vermicelli noodles can be found in Asian Groceries and in the Asian food sections of some Supermarkets. These noodles can sometimes be referred to as ‘Rice Stick’, ‘Mee Hoon’, or ‘Bún’ and may have some regional variations. There may be slight differences in thickness and texture between the brands and types. |
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Edamame Beans Edamame Beans are young soy beans that have a glossy green sheen with a nice crunch and bite when eaten. They might be familiar as a starter at some Japanese restaurants, usually served in their pods with a sparing sprinkle of salt. They are highly nutritious and are great in a variety of dishes and even as a snack. They usually can be found in the frozen section of Asian Supermarkets. |
Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise This popular Japanese Mayonnaise can be found in most Supermarkets these days and is characterised by its red and white packaging with its Kewpie doll logo. This mayonnaise is creamy with a slight tang and is ubiquitous in many Japanese dishes, mainly sushi and salads. Kewpie Mayonnaise can be found in Asian Groceries and in the Asian section of most Supermarkets. |
Wasabi Paste Green and pasty in appearance, Wasabi is a well-known accompaniment to Sushi and Sashimi in Japanese cuisine. Its taste is intense with a very strong and distinguished flavour. The Wasabi Paste used in the Salmon and Greens with Avocado and Wasabi Mayo recipe can be found in Asian Groceries and in the Asian section of most Supermarkets. |
Five Spice Powder Five Spice Powder is primarily made up of the grounded spices of Star Anise, Cinnamon, Sichuan Pepper, Cloves and Fennel Seeds. The powder is very finely grounded and dark brown in colour with a very strongly scented and fragrant aroma. As such, only a little of it is required to enhance most dishes/meats to bring out that world of flavour. |
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Green Tea Powder Also known as Matcha, this is a finely grounded powder made out of Green tea. It can be described as having an almost bitter and earthy taste but is also uniquely refreshing. Green Tea Powder has many uses in cooking and is popular in baking. It is characterised by its bright green colouring and can be bought in Asian Groceries and Specialty food Stores. |
Spring Roll Pastry Wrappers Spring Roll Pastry Wrappers are made out of wheat flour and water and are normally used to accompany savoury type fillings. These wrappers can be found in the frozen section of Asian Groceries and most Supermarkets and can come in a variety of sizes. These wrappers will require thaw time before usage.
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Fried Tofu Fried Tofu lends itself as a firmer version of normal tofu and is great for Salads, Stir fries or some noodle dishes. The texture is more dense and compact so it is ideally suited to those dishes requiring a less delicate touch. Fried Tofu can be found in the refrigerator section of most Asian Groceries. |
Hoisin Sauce Hoisin Sauce is a richly thick and dark looking sauce that is used in Asian cooking either as a marinade or an accompanying sauce. It has an interesting taste of being both sweet and salty and is made out of fermented soya beans and numerous other spices that gives it a unique and distinctive taste. Hoisin Sauce can be found in Asian Groceries and some Supermarkets. |
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Wonton Wrappers Wonton Wrappers can be bought in either the egg (yellow) varieties or the plain (white) types. They can be easily found in any Asian Groceries in the refrigerated sections. These plain white wrappers were used in the Pork and Spinach Dumplings recipe. |
Fried Shallots Fried Shallots are a popular addition in many Asian cuisines and can be found in soups, salads and as a garnish for a variety of dishes. They are aromatic and crispy and salty in taste. They are sold in either packets or jars and can be found in Asian Grocery stores.
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Turmeric Powder Turmeric Powder is a vibrant golden yellow powder made from grounded fresh turmeric, a rhizome belonging to the ginger family. The taste can be anywhere between gingery, peppery to bitter but highly enhancing when used in curries as part of a marinade for meats. It has many health benefits. Turmeric powder can be easily found in Asian Groceries and Supermarkets. |
Coriander Powder Coriander Powder has an earthy and aromatic scent and is deeply enhancing when used in dishes. Coriander Powder can be easily found in Asian Groceries and in Supermarkets. |
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Curry Powder There are many variations of Curry Powders depending on their origin. Made from a blend of a wonderful array of grounded spices, curry powders are highly aromatic and powerfully flavoursome. Also sold in varying degrees of spiciness. Curry Powders can be bought from any Asian Groceries and Supermarkets.
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Curry Leaves Curry Leaves look like slimmer versions of the Bay leaf and are aromatic with a slightly ‘nutty’ and ‘woody’ flavour. Fresh Curry Leaves can be found in the herbs sections in Asian Groceries and some specialty food stores. |
Chicken Stock Powder Chicken Stock Powder or Chicken Bouillon Powder is powdered dehydrated chicken broth. This is very similar to Bouillon Cubes that are used to enhance and flavour soups, broths and many other dishes. This Asian version of Chicken Bouillon Powder can be found in Asian Grocery Stores and popular brands are Lee Kum Kee and Knorr.
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Choy Sum Choy Sum literally translates to ‘Vegetable Heart’ and this is a very popular and abundant Asian Green leafy vegetable found in all Asian Groceries and most Supermarkets these days. Choy Sum is characterised by its long pale green stems and its dark green leaves. It is flavoursome when stir fried and refreshingly tasty when steamed or boiled.
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Snake Beans Snake Beans are longer than normal beans that are also characterised by its purple tipped stems, crunchy texture and rougher surface. They are typically found in Asian Groceries when in season.
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