The best East-Asian dishes need to have just the right combination of flavors and given enough time, you can master these flavors. But it often takes some experimentation, and the best place to start is knowing which ingredients to use together. Here are some of the key ingredients that will help turn your Asian cooking from average to masterful.
The Right Vegetables
The best place to start improving your Asian cooking is with the vegetables you use. The best meals will combine sweet peppers, bok choy, chilies, and lemongrass. The vegetables are often stir-fried in oil, but they’re also nicely roasted in the oven.
Spices
The right combination of spices is essential to making your cooking taste authentic. Ginger, cinnamon, cumin, saffron, and coriander are very common and will add a lovely distinctive flavor to your cooking. It’s also a good idea to buy some Chinese five-spice, an addition that’s great for tofu, noodles, vegetables, and curry.
Sauces
Soy sauce is a classic choice and really helps bring a quick dish to life. Szechuan paste is also a top way to prepare tofu, curries, and rice dishes because it’s absolutely bursting with flavor.
