What would pesto be without basil? Wouldn't it be bland without a little garlic and some olive oil? Ingredients such as these combine perfectly together, creating a well-balanced, aromatic dish, with heaps of flavor. Every cuisine makes use of a variety of base ingredients such as garlic, onions, celery and carrots - and these base ingredients can be used for everything from sauces to sautés. |
Cooking with aromatics |
Aromatics are a combination of vegetables and herbs, heated in some fat at the start of a dish. We cook in this order because the heated fat helps the ingredients release addictive aromas, which create deep flavors within the dish. This guide takes a look at some of the most common aromatics used for Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Latin, Middle Eastern and Thai foods, whilst also offering other supplement ingredients. It goes without saying that you need not use all the ingredients listed. |
Cajun |
Aromatics used: Onion, celery, green bell pepper Fats: Cook the above in olive oil and/or butter Supplement with: Garlic, parsley, shallots and paprika |
Chinese |
Aromatics used: Garlic, scallions (green onions), ginger Fats: Fry in cooking oil Supplement with: Chilies, shallots, chives, cilantro, Chinese five spice, star anise |
French (Mirepoix - Chopped vegetable cut) |
Aromatics used: Onions, carrots, celery Fats: Cook with butter Supplement with: Parsley, thyme, bay leaves, Herbes de Provence |
|
Indian |
Aromatics used: Onions, garlic, chilies, ginger Fats: Heat the above using ghee Supplement with: Tomatoes, cardamom, cumin, cumin seeds, curry powder (or leaves, paste), cloves, fenugreek, Garam Masala, turmeric |
Italian (Soffritto) |
Aromatics used: Onions, carrots, celery Fats: Fry in olive oil Supplement with: Garlic, fennel, bay leaves, wine, parsley, sage, prosciutto, pancetta |
Latin (Sofrito) |
Aromatics used: Garlic, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes Fats: Cook with olive oil Supplement with: Chilies, bay leaves, cumin, paprika, cilantro, bacon, chorizo, ham, wine, vinegars |
Middle Eastern |
Aromatics used: Garlic, onions, tomatoes, scallions (green onions), raisins Fats: Use cooking oil and/or clarified butter Supplement with: Ginger, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon |
Thai (Curry pastes) |
Aromatics used: Shallots, garlic, chilies Fats: Cook with cooking oil and coconut milk Supplement with: Galangal, Kaffir lime, lemon grass, coconut milk |
This Guide Will Teach You Exactly How to Store Fresh Herbs
Did you know that you can make fresh herbs last much longer if you find a way to store them properly? Here's a guide to keeping them fresh.
Would You Eat a 45-Year-Old Soup?
At this Bangkok restaurant, they have been serving a soup that simmers for 45 years.
Turn a Regular Egg Into Scrumptious Mini Fried Eggs
Check out this great video tutorial that'll take your eggs and turn them into a mini fried treat!
The Whole Family Will Love This Tasty Pineapple Dessert!
This recipe will show you how to make a tasty pineapple dessert that'll please the whole family.
Delight Your Friends & Family Using Only a Rice Cooker
Your rice cooker can be used to cook much more than just plain old rice, so why not give these 5 recipes a try?
Treat Yourself and Your Family to Some Delicious Churros
Here's how you can make some delicious churros from the comfort of your own kitchen.
8 Foods That Make for the Most Filling Low-Calorie Snacks
Do you want to control your weight? Our list of top 8 most filling foods ranks the ones with the lowest calories!
Try This Easy Yet Heavenly Almond and Pastry Dessert Recipe
At a glance, the pastry may look complicated to make, but it is actually quite easy. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make it.
An Italian's Secret to Making the Best Pasta
Follow these tips to prepare an excellent plate of pasta.
13 Delicious Juice Recipes to Detox Your Body With...
Follow this guide to learn how to make 13 delicious juices that'll help you detoxify your body.
This Chicken Recipe Will Have Your Taste Buds Thanking You!
Looking for a delicious new and interesting recipe? Try this pineapple and hot pepper chicken and just wait for the compliments to roll in.
Upgrade Your Favorite Foods With this Common Ingredient!
How to use baking soda and drinking soda to upgrade different foods.
11 Unexpected Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky
If you thought whisky was nothing more than an alcoholic drink, you were mistaken. This video will detail the various health benefits you can reap by drinking whisky in moderation.
Make 10 Scrumptious Dishes Using Only 3 Ingredients!
When I watch a cooking show on TV or grab a recipe book, they all look delicious, but each one requires so many ingredients – some of which I can’t even find. Using only 3 ingredients, these recipes will allow you to quickly make mouth watering dishe
These Delicious Baked Dishes Have Become Family Favorites
These three, heavenly baked dishes have become family favorites in my kitchen. I encourage you to try them out!
This Delicious Bread Has No Carbs, No Gluten and No Sugar
Known as cloud bread, this carb and gluten free bread is soft, airy and fluffy, and so delicious, it practically melts in your mouth. All you need are three ingredients to make it - let's take a look.
Why You Should NEVER Eat the White Part of Moldy Bread
Many of us simply cut off mold from a slice of bread and eat the rest, but you really shouldn't do that. Find out why in this informative video.
You May Have Never Heard of These Delicious Fruits...
These delicious, exotic fruits are not something you see every day, but are worth investigating for their terrific taste.
4 Heavenly Chicken Soups to Spoil Yourself with This Winter
Chicken is a common soup ingredient because of its ideal tenderness and taste. Presenting 4 of the many irresistible ways to make the chicken soup of your dreams.
A Guide to 7 Unique Tomato Varieties and How to Use Them
Whoa! I never knew there were so many different varieties of tomatoes out there.
6 Delicious and Special Soup Recipes That’ll Warm Your Body
The cold winter days that stimulate the senses are perfect for trying these 6 simple, delicious, soul-warming soup recipes.
10 Piping Hot Soups to Keep You Warm Throughout Winter
These soups are amazingly tasty, and will keep you warm on a cold winter's day. Yet the most amazing thing is that they are all under 300 calories.
Want to Be a Wine Expert? We've Got You Covered
If you find the world of wine a little bit too tricky at times, then worry no more, since below you'll find a full guide to buying the perfect wine for you.
8 Drinks That Help Burn Extra Fat Around Your Waistline
You may be surprised to discover that there are a number of drinks that can help you lose weight. Let's take a look at 8 of them.
I Hope These Essential Kitchen Tips Make Your Life Easier
These tips will make you a master of your kitchen.
How to Make Delicious Vegan Bolognese
Bolognese is a great comfort food. Most people think that you need to use meat to make a great Bolognese, but, as this recipe proves, this is not the case.
These 10 Superfoods Are Extremely Beneficial to Our Health
These 10 Superfoods are extremely good for you. Read on to find out what they are and how they are beneficial to our bodies.
A Formula For Whipping Up Healthy 20-Minutes Meals
This video offers a delightfully simple solution for busy people - a go-to formula for healthy 20-minute meals.
The Long History of the World’s Oldest Hot Beverage
While tea was invented in China, it has spread to all corners of the world, becoming a staple everywhere it was introduced.
The Perfectly Seared Steak: All You Need to Know
Now that its winter, our steak cooking options are fairly limited to the stove and oven, but this isn’t a bad thing...
This Has to Be the Most Guilt-Free Bread Recipe Ever!
This cloud bread is carb, gluten and sugar-free. Despite those facts, it's still light, fluffy and utterly mouthwatering. Learn how to bake it today.
These Are the Healthiest Hash Browns Ever Prepared!
Yes, you can have hash browns for breakfast, with this healthy and delicious cauliflower alternative recipe. Watch and learn!
Ancient Recipe Corner: Old Timey Festive Buttered Beer
Whip out your pewter pots for this medieval recipe! We'll be making buttered beer, with a non-alcoholic version included.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
Consuming Too Much of These Healthy Foods Can Be Deadly
While they may appear to be healthy on the surface, you may be surprised to discover just how fatal these 6 foods can be.
The KFC Secret Recipe Cat Is Out of the Bag - Here it Is
Colonel Sanders' nephew reveals the original secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Which Wine Pairs Well with Which Cheese? Here’s the Guide
Pairing the perfect wine to a slab of cheese is an art form that can truly elevate the taste of both. Here's how it's done.
Incredibly Delicious and Easy-To-Make Chicken Dish
A simple recipe which will leave you with mouthwatering chicken every time.
How to Make Delicious and Healthy Avocado Chocolate Cake
Everyone thinks cakes are unhealthy, but it doesn't always have to be the case! This tasty and healthy chocolate avocado cake is a great example of this!
THIS is Why I Love Italian Cuisine!
What makes the Italian cuisine one of the best in the world? Watch and learn.
Cook the Juiciest Chicken Breasts Ever With This Recipe
Chicken breasts are easy to cook, but they need to be cooked properly to be enjoyed. This recipe will ensure you cook the tastiest chicken breasts imaginable.
Reduce Your Carbs By Choosing the Right Food Alternatives
Reducing our carbohydrate intake is not as hard as it may seem. Find out what healthier alternatives you can make here.
18 Common Baking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If you like fresh pastry, but your baking attempts have been less than successful, there's a good chance you're "guilty" of these 18 common baking mistakes.
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
This Broccoli Soup Has Cancer-Fighting Properties
This creamy broccoli soup is not only delicious, but it also has cancer-fighting properties. Follow this recipe to learn how to make this tasty dish.
Here's How to Make the Tastiest Salad Dressing!
These charts briefly explain how best to go about making a variety of delicious salad dressings.
How to Create the Perfect Home Pita Bread
If you've never tried pita bread, then you're missing out! This simple pita bread recipe will make you wonder why you never tried this before!