pantry essentials

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 ...

Chili oil (辣椒油) is a big staple of Chinese cuisine, especially when you are talking about Sichuan food. The combination of oil and red pepper flakes give chili oil that hallmark bright red hue, and it ...

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

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 ...

Sweet Chili Sauce

One of my favorite dipping sauces is a Thai-style sweet chili sauce. Its sweet and spicy flavors pair perfectly with fried spring rolls or any kind of fried or grilled appetizer. For years, I kept a ...