Top 10 Asian Pantry Items

Top 10 Asian Pantry Items

There are times when we all crave our favorite foods. In the case of a craving, it is most essential that we have the ingredients on hand for instant satisfaction. If you are one who yearns for a warm coconut curry on a chilly fall evening, the toasty saltiness of a beef stir-fry, or an inviting, rich masala-spiced chicken, there are some things you must have on hand in your pantry to create these dishes without making a grocery run. So, without further ado, here are the top-10 most important ingredients you should have in your pantry.

1.Fish Sauce. Fish Sauce is what makes Asian food. If you are finishing up preparing your meal and something is missing, this is it. Add a splash. Then you can sit down and enjoy.

2. Curry powders or pastes, cayenne pepper spice, Coleman’s mustard powder. Okay, so I am cheating a little. But, for those of you who really know this cuisine, you can’t do without any of these ingredients. They create a wonderful spice and each have a different level of heat. Yellow, green or red curry pastes bring not only the heat but also certain aromatic essences that pair better with different vegetables or protein. Not spicy enough? Kick it up with some cayenne and for that, clear your sinuses wasabi-like element; mix in some Coleman’s mustard.

3. Mirin and Sake. We all know what Sake is. Mirin is also a form of rice wine, but it contains about 40-50% sugar. Either one of these make a fine choice to deglaze a pan after sautéing vegetables or browning proteins. When making rice, replace some of the water with either of these, or a mix. They will add a great flavor profile to what can sometimes be plain rice.

4. Sesame oil. When you are getting your mise en place together for your meal, you know there is no possible way that the amazing flavor of sesame oil can be replaced. Aside from flavor, it also has a higher smoking point to withstand higher temperatures of a wok without burning.

5. Coconut milk. There is something about a coconut curry that will warm a chilly day just as much as any chicken soup! The natural fresh coconut flavor is light with just the perfect amount of weight to make your stomach feel like it was wrapped in a warm blanket. It rounds out any Thai dish almost adding a touch of elegance.

6. Nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom pods, clove, coriander, cumin, fennel. Speaking of coconut curries. If you want something other than hot spice, and want a warmer, spice element, these are great to have on hand. One key, you must use them all together. Traditionally, they all form a classic Nepalese spice called Garam Masala. Experiment first by adding certain amounts together. If you like one a little more than the other, add a touch more. Other than adding these to coconut milk, you can dry toast these in a sauté pan as whole spices, grind and then mix together. Mix in some kosher salt and a little brown sugar and you have an amazing dry rub. Or with some everyday sugar, place these whole spices in a pot of simmering water and make your own chai tea.

7. Seasoned rice vinegar. Use it as a finishing ingredient adding a needed tartness, to deglaze a pan, or add a couple of tablespoons to your rice recipe.

8. Shrimp paste. You can’t make the best Burmese Curry without it! Other than that, if you like adding a ‘fishy’ flavor to your Asian dish, add a couple tablespoons of this to your deglazing liquid and mix in well before you add vegetables or any protein.

9. Tamarind paste. Some people forget about this one. If you are a vegetarian, this is a perfect replacement, adding a tart and fruity element to your stir-fry vegetables or pan-fried tofu. For non-vegetarians it is a key ingredient for the best Tandori chicken.

10. Golden and black sesame seeds. Not only are these a key ingredient adding a subtle toasty flavor that can’t be replaced but they add an element to contrast colors. Black sesame seeds are a bit heartier, but are basically the golden seeds that have not been hulled.

There you have it, the most comprehensive complete list of how to stock your pantry to be prepared for anything Asian. There are many ingredients that have not been mentioned, but the basis of this list was to give you the ingredients that create the backbone that is key to so many of these wonderfully satisfying dishes so that you are prepared for your next craving.