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Basic Taiwanese Ingredients

Black Chinese mushrooms, also known as shiitake mushrooms, are used widely in Asian cooking. Dried ones must be soaked in hot water to soften before use, from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the thickness. The stems are removed and discarded; only the caps are used. Substitute porcini mushrooms. Fresh shiitake are widely available in most supermarkets now.

Chinese chives, also known as garlic chives, have thin flat leaves that resemble thin spring onions. They have a strong garlicky flavor and are added to noodle or stir-fried dishes during the final stages of cooking. If you cannot get them, use spring onions or regular chives.

Coriander is an indispensable herb and spice in Asian cooking. Coriander seeds are roasted and then ground in spice pastes. Coriander roots are used in the same way, while coriander leaves (also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley) are used as a herb and a garnish.

Crispy Fried Shallots are readily available in packets or jars in most supermarkets and Asian food stores. To make them at home, thinly slice several shallots as desired and stir-fry in hot oil over low heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Dried baby anchovies or ikan bilis are tiny dried whitebait fish ranging from 2–5 cm (1–2 in) in length. They are usually quite salty, so taste any dish using anchovies before adding more salt.

Dried prawns are tiny, orange shrimp that have been dried in the sun. They come in various sizes. Available in Asian markets, they should be orangy-pink and plump; avoid any with a grayish appearance or an unpleasant smell. Dried prawns will keep for several months in a sealed container.

Dried sweet Chinese sausages (lap cheong), are thin, sweet Chinese pork sausages delicately perfumed with rose-flavored wine. They are used as an ingredient in stir-fries or braised dishes rather than being eaten on their own like European sausages. Sold in pairs, they keep almost indefinitely without refrigeration. Substitute sweet Italian sausage.

Five spice powder contains a mixture of ground spices usually consisting of equal parts of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. Five spice powder is available prepared in the supermarket.

Glutinous rice is a type of short-grained sticky rice that is widely used in Asia. It is often used in desserts. Buy glutinous rice in the packaged grains section of supermarkets. Look for intact kernels that aren’t broken, scratched, or damaged. Store rice in a cool, dry area in a sealed glass or plastic container, away from the open air and moisture. Glutinous rice comes in white or black varieties.

Hoisin sauce consists of fermented soybeans, garlic, chilies, and vinegar. The sauce is thick and dark and has a sweet, salty flavor. Commercially bottled or canned hoisin sauce is available in most grocery stores.

Kiam chye (salted preserved mustard cabbage) is a type of pickled vegetable like sauerkraut. Soak the salted cabbage in water for 15 minutes to remove some of the saltiness, repeating if necessary.

Noodles, both fresh and dried, are widely used in Asian cooking. Fine dried rice vermicelli or beehoon/ mifen are similar to glass noodles, but made of rice flour. Dried glass noodles or tang hoon are translucent noodles made from mung bean starch. Both types of noodles need to be blanched with hot water before using.

Pickled salted radish or chye poh, is a type of preserved Japanese radish or daikon. Often added to dishes for its crunchy texture and salty flavor, it keeps almost indefinitely and is sold in plastic packets in Asian markets. If the radish is very salty, soak in several changes of water, then squeeze out the excess liquid (dried radish is also available minced and is still very salty, so requires rinsing).

Soy sauce is brewed from soybeans and wheat fermented with salt. Regular or light soy sauce is very salty and is used as a table dip and cooking seasoning. Dark soy sauce is denser and less salty and adds a smoky flavor to dishes.

Rice wine is made from fermented rice and is used in cooking. Wine from Shaoxing, generally considered the best, is available from Chinese food stores. Substitute Japanese sake, mirin or dry sherry.

Salted black beans are soybeans that have been fermented and preserved in salt, hence their strong, salty flavor. Mainly used to season a number of dishes, especially fish, beef and chicken, they are sold in packets or cans and can be kept for several months if stored in the refrigerator. Soak in warm water for 30 minutes before using to remove the excess salt.

Tofu or bean curd comes in various forms. Pressed tofu or tau kwa (often confusingly labeled as firm tofu) is a type of firm tofu with much of the moisture extracted and is therefore much firmer in texture and excellent for stir-fries. Refrigerate fresh tofu enclosed in a plastic container submerged in water. Dried tofu skin is the dried skin that forms on top of boiling soy milk; it is dried and sold in sheets as a wrapper.

Sesame oil is extracted from sesame seeds that have been toasted, producing a dark, dense and highly aromatic oil that can be used for marinades, sauces and soups, or as

a table condiment.

Water chestnuts are small, acorn-shaped roots with a brown leathery skin outside and a crisp, crunchy flesh and a juicy sweet flavor inside. Fresh water chestnuts can be found packed in water in the refrigerator sections of some supermarkets. Canned water chestnuts are also available.