Adventurous Foods You Need to Try
There are certain ingredients that you might never think to pick up at the supermarket. These produce, spices, herbs and condiments will sit idly on the shelf because they either don’t sound good (fish sauce, chicken liver), you don’t know how to cook with them (lemongrass, tahini) or because someone has told you they taste like dish detergent. Google ‘cilantro and soap’ and you will see what I mean. Forget all of this. This list of 15 ingredients is all about going beyond the comfort of the shopping list and taking chances the next time you shop. These ingredients will, for very little cost or much effort, enhance recipes by adding spice, smoky notes, bursts of citrus and earthiness—among other flavors—and expand your culinary palate. We provide two easy recipes for each ingredient, each of which offers an introduction to a new taste experience. Photo Credit: Verity Cridland
Price: $2.99 for 7-ounce bottle Fish sauce, made from anchovies and salt, is a staple ingredient in southeast Asian cooking. It adds meaty, earthy flavor and a salty kick that tastes much better than its name suggests. Here, it is the base for a dipping sauce for super crispy egg rolls. Recipes: Crispy Spring Rolls Vietnamese Dipping Sauce Photo Credit: Kara Canal
Price: $4.89 for 15 ounces Tahini is a silky smooth sauce made from finely-ground sesame seeds. It is great on its own with falafel and grilled meat or mixed into hummus or combined with honey, lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne for a zippy salad dressing. Recipes:The Perfect HummusRomaine Radish and Cucumber Salad with Tahini Dressing Photo Credit: love¿janine
Price: $4 to $6 per bunch of stalks Lemongrass is a tough-fibered, long-stalked herb that, like fish sauce, is prevalent in southeast Asian cooking. Here, it adds a citrusy note to a light coconut sauce for steamed shrimp and is the perfect complement to garlic-roasted chicken. Recipes: Steamed Shrimp with Lemongrass-Coconut SauceChicken Roasted with Lemongrass and Garlic Photo Credit: Glen Bowman
Price: $0.99 per bunch Contrary to what some believe, cilantro does not taste like soap. It is grassy and delicate with hints of citrus. It does double duty as the favored herb in Mexican and southeast Asian cuisine and is as great in salsa as in curries. Here, it makes pesto like you’ve never tasted and adds bite to a healthy yogurt soup. Recipes:Cilantro Pesto Hot Yogurt Soup with Barley and Cilantro Photo Credit: qfamily
Price: $1.29 per bunch There are nearly 40 varieties of mint. It is fantastic in dessert (think Thin Mints and mint chocolate chip ice cream) and in savory dishes too. It’s a natural partner for ripe tomatoes, fish and makes a super-quick salad with sliced oranges and feta cheese. Here, chocolate and mint get turned into a soufflé-like cupcake, and then a handful of mint adds freshness to an eggplant and barley salad. Recipes: Chocolate Souffle Cupcakes with Mint CreamMediterranean Eggplant and Barley Salad Photo Credit: thebittenword.com
Price: $0.50 per lemon You might not realize how much flavor exists in the zest of citrus fruits. Using the juice and the zest together will heighten and brighten the flavor of almost any dish. Experiment with lemon, lime and orange zest—and Meyer lemons too when they are in season. A double dose of lemon juice plus zest perks up this springtime pasta with asparagus and comforting Italian rice pie. Recipes:Lemony Pasta with AsparagusItalian Rice Pie Photo Credit: St0rmz
Price: $1.99 for 20 ounce container Chicken livers have become the darling of the foodie world and have popped up on almost every single restaurant menu. It’s easy to forget how dirt cheap they are. Here, try a rich, creamy mousse flavored with a shot of Cognac and a hearty salad with fried chicken livers, bacon and homemade ranch dressing. Recipes:Creamy Chicken Liver Mousse from Food & Wine Fried Chicken Liver, Bacon and Tomato Salad with Ranch Dressing Photo Credit: jasonlam
Price: $3.99 for 12 ounces Almond Butter is the richer, nuttier cousin of peanut butter. It will forever change your morning oatmeal and, here, adds depth to cold sesame noodles. Recipes:Overnight Steel-Cut Oats with Almond Butter and HoneyCold Sesame Egg Noodles Photo Credit: Muffet
Price: $2.49 for 1-pound box Made from 100% whole durum wheat, whole wheat pasta is pleasantly chewy and a good source of protein and fiber. It is a perfect foil for garlic and edamame or nutty roasted cauliflower tossed with walnuts and tangy feta. Recipes:Spaghetti with Edamame, Parsley, Garlic and Olive Oil Pasta with Cauliflower Walnuts and Feta Photo Credit: raincrystal
Price: $2.95 for 1.3-ounce jar Cardamom is a warming spice that might be best known in the States as one of the flavors in chai tea. Cardamom is sweet and floral. It adds a spicy edge to a yogurt lassi and is the perfect complement to tart rhubarb in a crumble. Recipes:Cardamom LassiRhubarb Crumble from SimplyRecipes Photo Credit: Veganbaking.net
Price: $2.99 for 9.5 ounces Pomegranate molasses is sticky, sweet and tart. It perks up an eggplant and lentil stew and adds a pleasant sour edge to the classic Middle Eastern spread, muhammara. Recipes:Eggplant Lentil Stew with Pomegranate MolassesMuhammara Photo Credit: Darwin Bell
Price: $1.59 for 7-ounce can Chipotles are smoked jalapenos packed in adobo sauce. They are a super-quick way to add sharp, smoky spiciness to almost anything, from braised short ribs to chicken wings. Recipes:Devil's Food Short Ribs from the Dog's BreakfastChipotle Wings Photo Credit: 365 Things
Price: $2.99 for 1 ounce Smoked Spanish paprika is made from peppers slowly dried and smoked over oak. It comes sweet or hot and adds a dash of smokiness with sweet-subtle heat. Recipes:Olive Oil Poached Cod with Saffron Blood Orange-NageBeef Tenderloin with Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise Photo Credit: DavidDennisPhotos.com
Price: $4.95 for 35-ounce container Miso paste is made from fermented soy beans. It is salty, earthy and kind of sweet. It is amazing paired with almost any meat or fish. Recipes:Misoyaki Roast Chicken with Shoyu Onion SauceSoba with Grilled Asparagus and Sea Scallops with Sweet Miso Sauce Photo Credit: richardmasoner
Price: $0.99 per can Anchovies are perhaps most popular as a bad pizza topping. Good, canned oil-packed anchovies are briny, salty and earthy--not fishy and stinky. They add meaty depth to a zesty Caesar dressing and lemony mayonnaise for shrimp. Recipes:Caesar SaladShrimp with Lemon Anchovy Mayonnaise Photo Credit: kitAy
Interested in learning about more interesting eats? Check out our article about SuperFoods. This rundown of protein- and fiber-rich produce, grains, fresh fish and dairy products help lower cholesterol, may prevent certain cancers and can improve your skin tone and eyesight. They are the workhorses of the food chain. Photo Credit: norwichnuts
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