FISH SAUCE
A thin, salty dark brown sauce with a
distinctive fishy smell, which is used
extensively in Thai and Vietnamese cookery.
It is made from small fish that have been
fermented in the sun. Fish sauce replaces
salt in many recipes.
GARAM MARSALA
A blend of spices, usually consisting of some
combination of cinnamon, cumin, pepper,
cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and mace.
It can be bought already blended from
supermarkets, but it is best freshly made. It
is usually added towards the end of cooking.
GREEN GINGER WINE
An Australian made alcoholic sweet wine
infused with finely ground ginger.
HOISIN SAUCE
This sauce is a thick sweet Chinese
barbecue sauce made from a mixture of
salted black beans, onions and garlic.
HOIKKIEN NOODLES
Also known as fukkien, these are thick,
yellow and rubbery in texture. They are made
from wheat flour and are cooked and lightly
oiled before being packaged and sold. The
noodles need to be broken up
before cooking.
RICE NOODLES
These are fresh white noodles, they do not
require a lot of cooking.
KAFFIR LIME LEAVES
These are dark green, shiny, double leaves
which have a very pungent perfume. They
are rather thick and must be sliced very
finely for use as a garnish, or added whole
in a curry.
LEMON GRASS
An aromatic fresh herb that is used in curry
pastes, stir fries and soups. Trim the base,
remove the tough, outer layers and finely
slice, chop or pound the white interior.
Whole stems can be added to soups or
curries. Dried lemon grass needs to be
soaked in water, but the flavour of fresh
is superior.
LYCHEES
Delicious fruit with a light texture and
flavour, peel away the rough skin, remove
the seed and use. They are also available
in cans.
RICE WINE VINEGAR
Milder than most western vinegars, it
usually has an acidity of less than 4%.
It has a mild, sweet, delicate flavour
and is made from rice.
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SAMBAL OELEK
This is a paste made from ground chillies
and salt. This can also be used as an
ingredient or an accompaniment.
TAMARIND
Tamarind has a fruit, tart flavour and is a
large, brown bean like pod. It is available as
a dried shelled fruit, a block of compressed
pulp or as a puree or concentrate.
TOFU
Tofu, or bean curd, is a high protein, low fat
food made from soya beans. It is available in
very firm or soft blocks and is either fresh or
vacuum-packed. It takes on the flavour of
the spices and sauces it is cooked with.
TURMERIC
This is best known in its powdered form and
is often used to colour food. It has a bitter
flavour and it is also available fresh as a
root, rather like ginger, which is peeled
and then grated and finely chopped.
SZECHUAN PEPPER CORNS
These are available from most Asian
Supermarkets and have a slight
aniseed taste.
WATER CHESTNUTS
Small white crisp bulbs with a brown skin.
Canned water chestnuts are peeled and
will keep for about 1 month, covered in
the refrigerator.
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
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