Dark soy sauce, a staple in Asian cuisine, is similar to soy sauce but it’s a darker and more sweet and thick sauce. It adds a pleasant, dark color and a savory, umami flavor to all kinds of mouthwatering recipes. If you don’t have this staple in your pantry or are looking to broaden your …
A common feature in Asian, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisine, tamarind paste has a sour, somewhat citrusy and sweet flavor with hints of smokiness and caramel taste. Its complex flavor profile paired with its sticky, thick texture can elevate the flavor profile of a wide range of recipes. It’s a versatile ingredient that you can even …
Though it comes in a rather small can or tube, tomato paste packs a powerful punch. It is a building block for many dishes, from simple pasta to chilis and beef stews. However, the fact that it is essential does not make it irreplaceable. If you are looking for the best substitute for tomato paste, …
Made by fermenting the alcohol in red wine, red wine vinegar is a key ingredient in many sauces, gravies, and salads. Red wine vinegar has a specific taste. It’s tangy, crisp, and mildly sweet, and adds the element of acidity to a dish. So, replacing red wine vinegar can be tricky. But if you substitute …
White wine vinegar is one of the most basic cooking ingredients used in a wide range of cuisines. Typically used to prepare sauces, dress salads, fish, and meat, the flavor it adds is tangy and mildly sweet. It has a mellower taste than its cousin, red wine vinegar. This makes it a more approachable ingredient …
Shaoxing wine is a type of Chinese rice wine that is more commonly used for cooking rather than drinking. It has a complex and sweet flavor and is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Unlike regular rice wine, Shaoxing wine is made with brown rice and thus has a deep amber-brown color. Shaoxing wine helps …
Mirin is a sweetened Japanese rice wine that is a rich, syrupy liquid with a distinctly sweet taste. It adds a wonderfully unique sweet flavor to anything it’s added to including soups, marinades, and sauces. Apart from Japanese cuisine, mirin also makes for an excellent addition to many Western dishes and can even be used …
Sake is a Japanese wine made with rice that has its bran removed. It’s a clear wine with a water-like consistency and a robust flavor. Sake gives dishes a mild sweet taste and a nutty, fruity scent. Apart from being a popular drinking wine, sake is also commonly used to tenderize meat and fish as …
Applesauce is a popular condiment made from pureed apples and features a deliciously sweet and tangy taste. Not only is it great to pair with a variety of foods, but it’s also a popular ingredient in many baked goods. If you’ve run out of applesauce or want to try alternatives that yield comparable results, there …