53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen
October 01, 2012
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Foods and flavors from the global supermarket that every adventurous healthy cook should track down.
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The World's Your Oyster
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Centuries ago, early traders would cross perilous waters for the chance to feast on exotic spices, fruits, and foods from far-away lands. In modern times, we are lucky to be able to find these ingredients at ethic markets, specialty stores, and even the plain old grocery store just a few miles from our homes.
From the enticingly exotic, to the new cultural staples, here’s a list of products every home cook should know about (no boat required).
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Exotic Find: Black Garlic
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Sweet-sticky mellowed allium
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Exotic Find: Asafoetida
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Jarringly stinky resin makes curries sublime
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Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Now starring in Asian stores
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Exotic Find: Achiote Paste
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
For red-hued Yucatán spice rubs
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Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Like the Euro kind, but sustainable
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Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Because there has to be one food that only a daredevil will eat
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Exotic Find: Nduja
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Zingy Calabrian salami paste
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Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Tart-sweet Mid-East staple, astringent bite
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Exotic Find: Curry Leaves
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Lovely, toasty, fragrant curry component
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Exotic Find: Broken Rice
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
SE Asian street-food texture
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Exotic Find: Farofa
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Toasted manioc flour, kind of like breadcrumbs
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Exotic Find: Quail Eggs
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Petite-sized, feel fancy
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Exotic Find: Iberico Ham
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
The Lamborghini of Spanish ham
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Exotic Find: Cherimoya
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Creamy pineapple-banana-coconut–flavored fruit
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Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Vinegar-marinated tapa
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Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Best, most fragrant lemon zest
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Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Your classier lima bean
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Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Like candied, still-crisp red bell peppers
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Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Slurpy, chewy, easy
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Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Because we all need more naan
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Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
The Maserati of almonds
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Rising Stars: Mexican Crema
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
South-of-the-border crème fraîche
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Rising Stars: Farro
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Wheatberry-like whole grain with Etruscan cred
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Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
No-fat bacony flavor agent
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Rising Stars: ABC Sauce
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Indonesian soy syrup, instant sweet glaze
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Rising Stars: Castelvetrano Olives
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
The Marcona of olives
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Rising Stars: Mexican Chorizo
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Crumbly raw, fatty, superspiced sausage
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Rising Stars: Bulgur
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
The couscous of whole grains
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Rising Stars: Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Big flavor, healthy fats
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Rising Stars: Jerk Rubs
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Because allspice is an underappreciated flavor
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Rising Stars: Dark Palm Sugar
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Like a kick-butt maple sugar
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Rising Stars: Tamarind
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Supertangy fruit paste
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Rising Stars: Fish Sauce
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Pungent salty umami
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Rising Stars: Soba
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Fast-cooking noodle, strong grainy taste
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Rising Stars: Lime Leaves
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Aromatic Thai essential
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New Staples: Hummus
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Versatile, nutty spread
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New Staples: Italian Rustic Dried Pastas
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Try a new shape every week
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New Staples: Chipotle Peppers
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Take-no-prisoners smokiness, with fire
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New Staples: Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Nicer, more nuanced flavor
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New Staples: Coconut Milk
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Heavy cream, from a tree
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New Staples: Sriracha
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Ketchup with cojones
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New Staples: Sherry Vinegar
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
The best beats all other vinegars
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New Staples: Fresh Corn Tortillas
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Like masa from heaven
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New Staples: Thai Curry Pastes
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Instant complexity in rub or sauce
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New Staples: Greek Yogurt
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Because yogurt should always have been this tangy
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New Staples: Basmati Rice
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Fragrant, cooks up nonsticky
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New Staples: Indian Simmering Sauces
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Add frozen veggies: instant curry
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New Staples: Shelled Frozen Edamame
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Fava pleasures, much cheaper
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New Staples: Quinoa
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Whole grains, very quickly
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New Staples: Firm Tofu
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Sautés up somethin’ nice
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New Staples: Spanish Chorizo
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Firm cured sausage, smoky, tangy
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New Staples: Sea Salt
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Hand-sprinkle for fun crunch
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New Staples: Sambal
Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
Instant, vibrant chile heat
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