Ingredients
Ingredient guides, substitutions, and notes — organized and easy to search.
Crab Legs
Succulent and sweet, these crab legs are a luxurious treat, boasting tender meat that practically melts in your mouth. Their delicate briny essence is a hallmark of coastal cuisine.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a luscious, velvety spread with a rich, tangy flavor that melts in your mouth. Its smooth texture makes it a dream to work with, whether you're spreading it on a bagel or incorporating it into a decadent dessert.
Creme Fraiche
Creme fraiche is a rich and velvety cultured cream that hails from France, though it has become a staple in many cuisines around the world. It is made by adding specific strains of bacteria to heavy cream, allowing it to thicken and develop a slightly tangy flavor profile reminiscent of sour cream but with a more pronounced richness. Its texture is smooth and luxurious, offering a creamy mouthfeel that is both indulgent and satisfying. When used in cooking, creme fraiche is prized for its stability, as it does not curdle when heated, making it ideal for soups, sauces, and baked dishes. Its unique balance of tang and richness enhances both sweet and savory applications.
Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms, often referred to as baby bellas, are a variety of the common cultivated mushroom known scientifically as Agaricus bisporus. Originating from Europe, they are a staple in many cuisines around the world due to their availability and versatility. These mushrooms boast a rich, earthy flavor with a hint of nuttiness, and their aroma is robust and woodsy. They have a firm, meaty texture that holds up well in cooking, offering a satisfying bite. In the kitchen, cremini mushrooms are prized for their ability to absorb and enhance the flavors of other ingredients, while also browning beautifully when sautéed, contributing depth and complexity to dishes.
Creole Seasoning
Creole seasoning is a fragrant blend of spices that captures the soul of New Orleans cuisine. Its flavor profile is a harmonious mix of paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and garlic powder, offering a balance of smokiness, heat, and earthy notes. The aroma is robust and inviting, reminiscent of bustling Creole kitchens. Its fine texture makes it easy to incorporate into dishes, adding depth and complexity. Originating from Louisiana, it embodies the cultural melting pot of French, African, and Caribbean influences.
Croissants
Buttery, flaky, and irresistibly golden, croissants are the epitome of French pastry perfection. Their delicate layers melt in your mouth, offering a sublime combination of richness and lightness.
Crushed Graham Crackers
Crisp and buttery, crushed graham crackers offer a delightful, honey-sweetened crunch that brings warmth and texture to any dish.
Crushed Peanuts
Crushed peanuts are roasted peanuts that have been broken down into smaller pieces, offering a delightful textural contrast in a variety of dishes. Originating from South America, peanuts have become a staple in many cuisines worldwide, particularly in Asian, African, and American cooking. They boast a rich, nutty flavor with a subtle sweetness and a satisfying crunch. The texture is firm yet yields slightly when bitten into, making them an excellent addition to both sweet and savory dishes. In cooking, crushed peanuts add depth and a pleasant mouthfeel to sauces, salads, and desserts. They also tend to absorb surrounding flavors while retaining their structural integrity, enhancing the overall experience of a dish.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Crushed red pepper flakes are made from dried, pulverized red chili peppers. They add a vibrant color and a spicy kick to dishes, making them a staple in many cuisines.
Crushed Saltine Crackers
A delightful crunch with a subtle salty tang, crushed Saltine crackers add a satisfying texture to dishes. Perfect for coatings, crusts, or even a quick snack.
Cucumber
Cucumber is a hydrating and refreshing vegetable known for its high water content and mild flavor. It has a crisp texture and is often enjoyed raw in salads or as a snack.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is a fragrant blend of spices commonly used in Indian, Thai, and other Southeast Asian cuisines. It typically includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, and other spices, offering a warm, earthy flavor with a hint of heat.
Dark Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar is a rich, moist sugar with a deep caramel hue and a robust molasses flavor that adds warmth and depth to baked goods and desserts.
Dark Chocolate Chips
Rich, velvety dark chocolate chips that melt in your mouth, offering a deep cocoa flavor with a hint of bittersweet notes.
Date Syrup
Date syrup is a natural sweetener derived from boiled-down dates, offering a rich, caramel-like flavor with subtle notes of molasses and toffee. Originating from the Middle East, where dates have been cultivated for thousands of years, it has become a staple in many cuisines due to its natural sweetness and nutritional benefits. The syrup boasts a smooth, viscous texture that is both glossy and pourable, making it an excellent substitute for honey or maple syrup. Its robust flavor profile enhances both savory and sweet dishes, and it behaves well in cooking, maintaining its integrity without burning easily. Date syrup is also a versatile ingredient that can be used to add moisture and depth to baked goods, sauces, and beverages.
Deli Sliced Ham
Tender and savory deli sliced ham, boasting a rich, smoky flavor that melts in your mouth with every bite. Each slice is uniformly thin, perfect for layering in sandwiches or charcuterie boards.
Deli Sliced Roast Beef
Tender and savory, deli sliced roast beef offers a rich, meaty flavor with a juicy texture that melts in your mouth. Each slice is perfectly thin, ideal for layering in sandwiches or enjoying on its own.
Deli Sliced Turkey
Thinly sliced and tender, deli turkey boasts a savory, smoky flavor that's both hearty and refreshing. Each slice is a promise of a satisfying, protein-packed meal.
Dijon Mustard
With its vibrant golden hue and a tangy, slightly spicy kick, Dijon mustard is a pantry staple that adds depth and zest to any dish. Its smooth texture and bold flavor make it an indispensable ingredient for both cooking and finishing.
Dill Pickle Spears
Dill pickle spears are slender, crunchy slices cut from cucumbers that have been preserved in a brine infused with dill, garlic, and spices. Originating from European pickling traditions, they are now a staple in American cuisine, particularly popular at ballparks and barbecues. These spears possess a tangy, slightly sour flavor with subtle hints of dill and garlic, offering a refreshing contrast to rich or fatty foods. Their texture is firm and crisp, providing a satisfying crunch that holds up well in various dishes. In cooking, dill pickle spears can add brightness and acidity, balancing out creamy or savory elements in recipes, and they maintain their structure even when briefly heated or incorporated into salads and relishes.
Dinner Rolls
Soft, pillowy, and golden-brown, these dinner rolls are the epitome of comfort food. With a tender crumb and a slightly crispy exterior, they offer a delightful contrast that makes them irresistible.
Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a clear, colorless liquid made from the fermentation of grain alcohol. It has a sharp, tangy flavor and is a versatile ingredient in cooking and cleaning.
Doenjang (Korean Soybean Paste)
Doenjang is a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste that serves as a foundational ingredient in many Korean dishes. Originating from Korea, it has been a staple in Korean cuisine for centuries, prized for its deep umami flavor and rich, savory profile. The paste boasts a complex taste with earthy, salty, and slightly sweet notes, often accompanied by a subtle tanginess from fermentation. Its thick, paste-like texture is smooth yet dense, providing a satisfying mouthfeel. In cooking, doenjang dissolves easily into liquids, creating a robust base for stews and soups, and it contributes a deep savoriness that enhances other flavors. Its fermentation process also allows it to act as a natural preservative, making it a versatile pantry item.
Dried Apricots
Dried apricots are a time-honored fruit treat, created by drying fresh apricots to preserve their natural sweetness and nutrients. Originating in ancient Armenia and Persia, they have been enjoyed for centuries across various cultures. The flavor profile is intensely sweet with a tangy, fruity undertone that evokes the essence of summer. Their chewy texture is satisfying and offers a pleasant contrast to both sweet and savory dishes. In cooking, dried apricots behave remarkably well, softening when rehydrated and adding a natural sweetness and depth to both desserts and main courses. They can be used to enhance grain dishes, baked goods, and even meat dishes, contributing a burst of flavor and a touch of natural color.