1. Dried mushrooms
Keep dried wild mushrooms—porcini, shiitake, and wood ear to name a few—on hand and you’ll enjoy the earthy, woodsy goodness simply by rehydrating them in hot water or broth. They’re available whole or in slices or pieces. Store them in a cool, dry place for up to six months.

2. A fine red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Merlot tempts the palate with its character and complexity—two necessary traits of a fine wine.

3. Pine nuts
Pine nuts are found inside pine cones, which must be heated so the nuts can be removed. It’s this intensive process that makes them so expensive.

4. Good coffee
Brew the best coffee by starting with roasted arabica beans, which are grown at higher elevations and develop a richer flavor and aroma than other coffee beans.

5. Vanilla beans
Cooking with vanilla beans, as compared to the extract, adds a profound flavor. To use, cut the bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Although you can cook with the bean, it should not be eaten.

6. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Try Italy’s luxurious hard grating cheese which typically ages at least two years. Its granular texture melts in your mouth with rich flavor.

7. Quality extra-virgin olive oil
Primarily used for sautéing and in salad dressings, extra-virgin olive oil offers more flavor. All olive oils are rich in monounsaturated fat, a healthier choice than saturated types. Plus, they outdistance vegetable oils on flavor.

8. The freshest seafood possible
Inquire at your local fish market about delivery times from the coast. Plan on shopping that day and cooking that night. Fresh-from-the-sea flavor is worth the extra effort.

9. Gourmet greens
Also called mesclun, gourmet greens are available in most large supermarkets. They’re a mixture of tender, young salad greens that can include arugula, dandelion, sorrel, and oakleaf. Gently rinse and spin them in a salad spinner. Store them in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator until ready to use.

10. Imported olives
Olives imported from Greece, Italy, Spain, and France are so intense in flavor that a little of their flavor goes a long way. Because they are high in monounsaturated fat, they offer the heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet.