Grenadine is a non-alcoholic pomegranate syrup that has a tart and sweet taste with a deep red colour. Grenadine was originally made from reduced pomegranate juice, water, and sugar but most store-bought products now have additional ingredients such as artificial colours, sodium benzoate, and corn syrup. A shot of grenadine is normally used in cocktails to make …
Dark soy sauce is a dark-coloured sauce that is mostly popular in Chinese cuisines. It is much sweeter, darker, and a bit thicker in consistency than light soy sauce, and it is used to add colour and an umami taste to savoury dishes such as noodles as well as fried rice. Dark soy sauce also …
Sun dried tomatoes give an intense burst of sweet-tart flavour with a chewy texture to your meals. They are great for adding to dishes such as pasta, stir-fries, stews, as well as salads. If you have run out of sun-dried tomatoes in your kitchen there are plenty of substitutes you can use in their place. …
Liquid smoke is seasoning that can be used to impart a smoky flavour into fish, meat, vegetables, as well as desserts. In the kitchen, it is an effective way to replace traditional wood smoking methods that require a smokehouse and can take hours to get similar results. If you have run out of liquid smoke …
Invert sugar also known as trimoline is a sugar that is sweet with a thick and viscous texture. Invert sugar is used by professional bakers and pastry chefs plus it is a useful ingredient for preventing crystallization. It gives ice cream and sorbet a pleasant creamy texture plus it can be applied to smooth ganache and candy. It …
Kecap manis is an Indonesian sauce that is thick and sweet compared to other sauces such as soy sauce, because of the addition of palm sugar. If you have cooked with molasses then you will be familiar with the sauces luxurious dark shiny texture. Kecap manis possesses a rich, caramel-like flavour with a mildly smoky undertone …
Black bean sauce is a pungent, salty dark brown sauce, that has a thick paste-like consistency. Black bean sauce is made from fermented soybeans and often contains a range of other flavours such as garlic, ginger, and even tangerine peel. Sometimes sugar is added to give the sauce a subtle sweetness. Black bean sauce is used …
Celery salt is a mixture of dried ground celery seeds and fine ground salt. It is also a classic ingredient in many comforting meals and cocktails. Celery salt is also a beloved element in Bloody Mary cocktails, spice rubs for grilled meats and dredges for frying and it is a must for a Chicago-Style hot dog. If you need to reduce your sodium intake in your diet …
Cognac is doubly-distilled brandy from France by the same name. The alcoholic drink is graded by aging and this could be three, five, or seven years or more. It is easily accessible in most grocery stores or liquor stores. Sometimes you may run out of cognac and may need to use something else as a …
I must confess I’ve never met a fan of tomato puree or at least one who boldly holds themself out as one. Tomato puree is a mainstay of many popular cooking methods and recipes. From Italian dishes such as bolognese or chicken cacciatore to paella, stews, soups and pizza. Tomato puree has certainly earned its …