If you live in an urban area, chances are good that your local supermarket carries an abundant selection of imported cheeses, quality extra-virgin olive oils, flavored vinegars, and Asian staples. Many organic markets and specialty-food shops also carry these ingredients.

If you live in a more remote area--or are pressed for time--consider ordering foods over the Internet. Here are a few places to start.

ChefShop.com
While other sites may offer hundreds of olive oils and vinegars, ChefShop narrows the selection to the cream of the crop. They also offer Asian basics, pastas, and dried herbs and spices. Product descriptions are succinct and insightful.

Next Day Gourmet
They have some of the best fresh herbs we've tried, and you can have them delivered to your doorstep in one day. You can even order edible flowers like pansies and dianthus.

Oakville Grocery
You can find most of our favorite oils, vinegars, herbs, and spices at this "little country store," now on the Internet.

Thai Grocer
This is the site for fresh galangal root and other Asian produce, herbs and spices. Hardcore cooks will be impressed with the variety of products ranging from dried lotus seeds to rice flour.

Earthy Delights
Searching for mushrooms? Don't go to the forest; just point your browser to this retailer. In addition to a remarkable variety of fresh, dried, and frozen mushrooms, you'll find fresh herbs, baby vegetables, and other specialties.

Zingerman's
This highly regarded Michigan specialty-food store offers a small but notable selection of choice oils, vinegars, and cheeses from around the world, all hand-picked favorites of its staff. It's also one of the few places from which you can mail-order Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

EthnicGrocer.com
Our favorite feature at EthnicGrocer is the "shop by country" button. Choose any one of 15 destinations and browse through a sampling of the country's foods. Our most intriguing find--pomegranate molasses from Turkey.

Indian Harvest
Don't miss this one-stop shop for exotic grains like Himalayan red rice or black quinoa. They also have a nice selection of heirloom beans, just in case you haven't been able to find any Jackson Wonders for grandma's soup recipe.