Sharing Plate – Your Cooking Coach |

I am a big believer in a well stocked pantry. Since I cook all the time and thing about food 24/7, I make sure my fridge and pantry are full with the right ingredients. I love to be able to conjure something up in my mind and make it happen in the kitchen without going to the store.

Many people ask me constantly what I have in my pantry and fridge, and what they should have in theirs. I feel you need to think about your cooking repertoire and what kind of cuisines you  make. Once you have a handle on the kinds of dishes you normally make- you can make a list of all the ingredients you need.

When I go grocery shopping- which I am ashamed (not really) to admit is almost every day- I go through the isles to remind me if I need anything to replenish my pantry.

Since I am doing top ten lists- yes I feel like David Letterman once again, I decided to start with listing the top ten Asian ingredients.

1. Rice Vinegar- I love having this in my pantry. Great for stir fries, salads and curries.
2. Tamari- I use this instead of soy sauce. This is a more concentrated version of it so a little goes a long way and it doesn’t make the dishes too watery.
3. Toasted Sesame Oil- This has a delicious nutty flavor. I start my stir fries with a teaspoon of this oil. It is also great for salad dressings. Store it in the fridge.
4. Fish Sauce- It has a wonderful underlying nutty, salty flavor. Don’t smell it while using it and you will love it.
5. Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce- It can be found in any grocery store in the Asian isle. Great as a dipping sauce or part of a stir fry sauce.
6. Honey- I love, love honey. I have all sorts in my pantry. It is great to sweeten anything from sauces, to salad dressings.
7. Fresh Ginger- What a versatile ingredient. Stays forever in your fridge. Great for curries, stir fries and desserts.
8. Garlic- I would be lost without garlic. I need to have lots of it in my vegetable basket. I put it in everything.
9. Green Onions- They have a great, light onion flavor AND they look pretty. Excellent as a garnish on top.
10. Light Coconut Meal- Great for Thai dishes and desserts. I use the light version since there is no difference in flavor. I always have a few cans in my pantry.

I would love to hear your top ten Asian ingredients….