5 Essential Ingredients For Asian Cooking
Whether you’re trying to recreate your favourite take-away dish or experiment with Asian flavours in the kitchen, there are some flavours which easily transform any dish into an Asian masterpiece!
Keep reading to find out our top 5 fresh ingredients for Asian cooking:
Love it or hate it, there is no denying that coriander adds a unique flavour that really makes a dish pop. Coriander is incredibly versatile in the kitchen with the leaves, stem and root usable. You can use coriander as a seasoning in the later stages of cooking, a garnish on a finished dish or as the main component of your meal. Coriander is most popular in Thai and Chinese cooking and is also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley.
An integral part of Asian cooking, garlic is easily recognisable by its distinct smell and strong flavour. While garlic can be eaten raw, it is most commonly used cooked. Garlic is normally sliced or minced and is often one of the first ingredients in the cooking process. This extended cooking time allows the garlic to release its aroma and full depth of flavours. When cooking garlic, ensure you don’t have the heat too high as garlic burns easily and can produce a bitter taste. Garlic also has medicinal properties making it a great way to boost your chances of fighting off a cold!
Ginger has a unique flavour combining hot, sweet, spicy and zesty profiles in one! Similar to garlic, ginger is incredibly aromatic and packed full of flavour. Ginger is extremely versatile in Asian cooking and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, as well as brewed into a delicious warming tea. Pair ginger with your favourite protein and other Asian flavour staples to create an amazing meal.
Also known as spring onions and scallions, shallots are packed with great onion flavour but are less intense than standard brown or red onions. The level of intensity in shallots means they are most commonly used raw or very late in the cooking process. Shallots are the perfect garnish to your homemade Asian meal and bring a pop of flavour and brightness to your dish.
Bok choy is a popular Asian leafy green that is packed full of vitamins C, A and K. Bok choy has a fresh and mild taste very similar to cabbage. There is also a slight peppery kick with bok choy which makes it a delicious addition to any Asian meal. Add this leafy green into your next stir fry or steam and drizzle with soy sauce for a restaurant worthy addition to your meal!
Incorporate any of the above ingredients with one of the classics like soy sauce, fish sauce or oyster sauce and transport yourself with the flavours of Asia!
