Ingredients
Ingredient guides, substitutions, and notes — organized and easy to search.
Black Bean Garlic Sauce
Black bean garlic sauce is a savory condiment originating from Chinese cuisine, known for its robust and complex flavor profile. This sauce is traditionally made from fermented black soybeans, garlic, salt, and sometimes chili peppers, offering a pungent, salty, and slightly spicy taste with a deep umami character. Its texture is thick and paste-like, which clings well to proteins and vegetables alike. When used in cooking, black bean garlic sauce adds depth and richness to dishes, enhancing the overall taste without overpowering other ingredients. It browns quickly when sautéed, releasing its aromatic compounds and infusing dishes with its distinctive flavor. Commonly used in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces, it is a versatile pantry staple that brings a gourmet touch to everyday meals.
Black Pepper
Black pepper is a pungent, slightly spicy spice derived from the dried berries of the Piper nigrum plant. It is one of the most commonly used spices in the world, known for its ability to enhance the flavor of a wide variety of dishes.
Black Rice
Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is an ancient grain with a rich history originating in Asia, particularly China, where it was once reserved for consumption by royalty. This unique rice boasts a deep, almost purplish-black color due to its high anthocyanin content, which also contributes to its nutty and slightly earthy flavor profile. Its texture is chewy and firm, making it an excellent choice for dishes where grains maintain their shape. In cooking, black rice behaves well, holding up to long simmering times without becoming mushy, and it adds a striking visual contrast to dishes. Its natural color does not fade during cooking, ensuring that dishes remain vibrant and appealing.
Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds boast a deep, nutty flavor with a subtle roasted aroma that adds complexity to dishes. Their tiny, crunchy texture provides a delightful contrast in both sweet and savory recipes. Originating from India, these seeds hold cultural significance in Asian cuisines, symbolizing longevity and good health. Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, they offer both nutritional and culinary value. Their striking color and robust flavor make them a unique ingredient for enhancing any dish.
Black Vinegar
Black vinegar is a dark, aged vinegar with a rich, complex flavor profile that combines sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of smokiness. Commonly used in Asian cuisine, it adds depth and a glossy sheen to dishes.
Blackberries
Blackberries are small, juicy, and dark purple to black berries that grow on brambles in temperate regions around the world, with a particularly rich history in Europe and North America. They offer a distinctive sweet-tart flavor profile with subtle floral and earthy notes, making them a favorite in both sweet and savory dishes. Their texture is soft and delicate, with tiny seeds that add a pleasant crunch. In cooking, blackberries behave well in both fresh and cooked applications, though they break down easily when heated, making them ideal for jams, sauces, and baked goods. Their natural pectin helps thicken preparations, while their vibrant color can brighten dishes.
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is the byproduct of refining sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar. It originates from the final boiling of the sugar syrup, after most of the sucrose has been crystallized and removed. This molasses is deeply rooted in Caribbean and American culinary traditions. Its flavor is robust, with notes of bittersweet, earthy, and slightly smoky undertones. The texture is viscous and sticky, coating the palate with a rich, dense mouthfeel. In cooking, blackstrap molasses is prized for its ability to add depth and complexity to dishes, as well as its capacity to retain moisture in baked goods. It also behaves well in marinades and sauces, contributing a deep color and rich flavor.
Blanched Almonds
Blanched almonds are almonds that have had their skins removed through a brief immersion in hot water. Originating from the Mediterranean region, these almonds are prized for their smooth texture and mild, nutty flavor. Without the skin, they offer a subtler taste compared to their unblanched counterparts, making them versatile in both sweet and savory dishes. Their tender texture makes them pleasant to eat raw or incorporated into recipes. In cooking, blanched almonds are often ground into almond flour or almond butter, used to thicken soups, or added to baked goods for a nutty richness without the bitterness that the skin can impart. They are also favored in traditional European and Middle Eastern desserts, contributing a delicate crunch and nutty depth.
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Bold and tangy, these blue cheese crumbles offer a creamy texture with distinctive blue veins that add a piquant, earthy flavor to any dish.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Creamy and tangy with bold, pungent notes, Blue Cheese Dressing is a decadent blend ofumbled blue cheese, buttermilk, and a touch of garlic. Its rich, velvety texture and sharp flavor make it a standout in any dish.
Blueberries
Blueberries are small, round fruits known for their vibrant blue color and sweet-tart flavor. Native to North America, they have been enjoyed by indigenous peoples for centuries and are now celebrated worldwide. These berries possess a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess, often accompanied by a subtle floral aroma. Their texture is firm yet juicy, offering a satisfying burst when bitten into. In cooking, blueberries hold their shape well in both raw and cooked applications, though they can break down to form a luscious sauce when gently simmered. They are versatile in both sweet and savory dishes, contributing both flavor and a striking color.
Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs
Juicy and flavorful, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs are a cook's best friend. Their rich, dark meat boasts a succulent texture that's impossible to resist, encased in a crispy, golden skin that crackles with every bite.
Boneless Pork Loin
A tender and lean cut of pork, boneless pork loin boasts a delicate flavor that's both succulent and satisfying. Its firm texture holds up beautifully whether roasted, grilled, or sautéed, making it a versatile star in countless dishes.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Tender and versatile, boneless skinless chicken breasts are the culinary chameleon of the poultry world. Their mild flavor and firm texture make them a favorite for everything from grilling to baking.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Succulent and tender, boneless skinless chicken thighs are a flavorful alternative to chicken breasts. Their rich, juicy texture makes them ideal for grilling, roasting, or sautéing, offering a depth of taste that's hard to beat.
Bread Flour
A robust, high-protein flour that boasts a golden hue, bread flour is the backbone of any hearty loaf. Its texture is finely milled, offering a silky feel that promises elasticity and strength in your dough.
Bread and Butter Pickles
Bread and butter pickles are a type of sweet and tangy pickle made primarily from cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, and butter or vegetable oil. Originating in the United States, they are a staple in American cuisine, often served alongside sandwiches and burgers. These pickles have a distinctive flavor profile that balances sweetness from the sugar with a tangy kick from the vinegar, while the butter or oil contributes a subtle richness. Their texture is crisp and firm, offering a satisfying crunch with each bite. In cooking, bread and butter pickles add a delightful contrast to both savory and sweet dishes, as they maintain their texture well and infuse dishes with their unique flavor.
Breakfast Sausage Links
Savory and slightly sweet, breakfast sausage links are a morning staple, offering a juicy, herby flavor that dances on your taste buds.
Brioche Buns
Golden, buttery, and pillowy soft, brioche buns are a delightful treat for your taste buds. Their rich, eggy flavor and tender crumb make them a beloved choice for gourmet sandwiches and hearty burgers.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable belonging to the Brassica family, which includes cabbage and kale. Originating in the Mediterranean region, it has become a staple in many Western diets due to its health benefits and versatility. It offers a mild, slightly bitter flavor with a vegetal aroma that brightens when cooked. The florets have a firm texture that becomes tender with cooking, while the stalk is denser and requires longer to soften. In the kitchen, broccoli is known for its ability to hold up well to various cooking methods, from steaming and roasting to stir-frying, often maintaining a vibrant green color and a pleasant crunch when not overcooked.
Brown Rice
Nutty and wholesome, brown rice is a whole grain with a chewy texture and a subtle earthy flavor. Its rich, golden hue hints at the layers of nutrients tucked within each grain.
Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup is a natural sweetener derived from whole brown rice through a process of enzymatic conversion. Originating in Japan and later popularized in the United States, it is often favored for its lower glycemic index compared to many other sweeteners. Its flavor is mild and somewhat caramel-like, with a hint of nuttiness that complements rather than overwhelms. The syrup has a thick, viscous consistency similar to honey but is smoother and less sticky. In cooking, it behaves as a reliable humectant, helping to retain moisture in baked goods and preventing crystallization in candies. Additionally, its neutral flavor profile makes it a versatile sweetener for both savory and sweet dishes.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a type of sugar that contains molasses, giving it a distinctively rich, caramel-like flavor and moist texture. It is commonly used in baking and cooking to add sweetness and depth of flavor.
Brownie Mix
Brownie mix is a pre-measured blend of dry ingredients designed to simplify the process of making brownies at home. Originating in the United States in the mid-20th century, it reflects the convenience-driven culture that gave rise to many packaged baking products. The flavor profile of brownie mix is typically rich and chocolatey, with a hint of sweetness that is balanced by the addition of eggs, oil, and water during preparation. The texture of the resulting brownies can vary from fudgy and dense to cakey and tender, depending on the specific brand and recipe instructions. When cooking with brownie mix, it is versatile and can easily incorporate additional ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or swirls of caramel. Its predictable performance makes it a reliable choice for both novice and experienced bakers.