Are Shrimp Paste and Shrimp Sauce the Same?
No, shrimp paste and shrimp sauce are different things made for different purposes.
Foreground: shrimp paste spread …
Seasonings & Condiments
Sambal is Indonesian Chili Paste with Countless Variants
Chili, or a combination chilies, is the ingredient for sambal, the Indonesian chili paste or sauce which is either …
Crispy Fried Shallots (Bawang Goreng) and Garlic
Sprinkling crispy fried shallots and garlic over cooked food before serving isn't merely about aesthetics. They add …
Fermented Fish Sauce: How It is Made and Used
We call it patis in the Philippines. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is nam pla in Thailand, nuoc mam in …
Groceries Running Out of Mayonnaise? Make Your Own!
Whisking together egg yolks, lemon juice and oil makes mayonnaise. The secret to making the emulsion is in slowly adding …
Fermented Black Beans: Buying, Storage and Recipes
Called tausi in the Philippines, fermented black beans are sold dried or soaked in brine. They are used to flavor …
Is Annatto the Same as Achiote? How is it Used in Cooking?
Annatto or achiote is Bixa orellana — a natural red food coloring. It is sold as dried seeds, paste or powder for …
Sesame Seeds and Oil
We find them on hamburger buns and bread sticks, and most people think they're merely decorative. Sesame seeds are more …
What is Your Favorite Dipping Sauce for Lechon Kawali?
At home, lechon kawali often goes with ketchup if lechon sauce (the kind with liver base) is not available.
In …
Hot Sauce in the Pantry: Tabasco or Sriracha?
I'm No Tabasco Girl But I Love Sriracha.
Until I met Speedy, I wasn't really into spicy food. I grew up with …
Cooking with wine: does the alcohol evaporate? Do the calories disappear?
I like cooking with wine. Not just wine, actually. I cook with tequila, I cook with beer... I like the full-bodied …
What is a Dry Rub? Or is it Dry Spice Rub?
When you marinate meat, what do you use? Chances are, a liquid marinade. That was what I did most of the time. Until I …