pantry essentials

Black Sesame Paste

When I was a little kid, I was very afraid of black sesame desserts because I didn’t understand how food could turn dark like ink. Fortunately, Mama Lin helped me out of that phase by preparing ...

How to Make Chili Oil (辣椒油)

Chili oil is a staple of Sichuan cuisine. In Sichuan, chili oil is commonly called 红油, which literally means “red oil” (Mandarin: hong you; Cantonese: hong yau). Chili oil can also be called 辣椒油, ...

What is Mirin (Japanese Sweet Rice Cooking Wine)?

Written by Lisa Lin & Diann Leo-Omine. Photos by Lisa Lin. Mirin (みりん) is a type of Japanese rice cooking wine that is generally made from fermenting several ingredients together: steamed sweet ...

White Pepper vs Black Pepper

Ever wondered what the difference is between white pepper vs black pepper? Here are the differences between the two types of pepper, explained. Written by: Lisa Lin & Diann Leo-Omine. Photos ...

My pantry isn't complete without a good teriyaki sauce. I love tossing it with pan-fried tofu or using it as a stir-fry sauce. However, I can't bring myself to buy it at the store because those sauces ...

How To Make Pomegranate Molasses

Pomegranate molasses is a common ingredient used in Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. It's often added to savory dishes to add a bit of sweetness and tangy flavor. The first few times I came ...