Dried Prawns
A popular Asian ingredients. They are best refrigerated
if kept in a humid climate. When buying, look for
brightly coloured, plump dried prawns. Soak for about 5
minutes in warm water to soften before use.
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Dried Whitebait (Ikan
Bilis)
Small silvery-white young of herrings, sprats, and
similar marine fish, about 5 cm (2 in) long. They are
salted and sun-dried. They can be quite salty, so taste
any dish using whitebait before adding more salt.
Discard the head and black intestinal tract before use.
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Fennel Seeds
Larger and paler than cumin seeds, with a sweet flavour
similar to anise. They add a sweet fragrance to Malay
and Indian dishes.
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Fenugreek Seeds
Small, flat and squarish with a deep furrow along their
length. They are bitter, so use sparingly.
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Fermented Bean Paste (tao
cheo)
Richly flavoured seasoning. The beans are fermented in a
thick liquid and sold in jars. They vary in colour from
dark brown to light golden. The beans are usually mashed
with the back of a spoon before use.
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Fish Sauce
The pungent, amber liquid formed when small fish are
salted and fermented for months. It keeps indefinitely
without refrigeration.
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Five Spice Powder
A highly aromatic blend of Sichuan pepper, cinnamon
bark, clove, fennel and star anise, grind to a fine
powder. It is added to stir-fried food, marinades and
sauces.
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Galangal
Similar in appearance to ginger and a member of a same
family. This aromatic root has a distinct flavour that
is used in curries in much of Southeast Asia. Dried
galangal lacks the fragrance of fresh galangal, and most
stores now sell it fresh. It can be sliced and kept
sealed in the freezer for several months.
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Garam Masala
A blend of dry-roasted powdered spices. Prepared garam
masala is available in Indian food stores. Store in an
air-tight container.
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Ghee
Clarified butter
made from the
milk of a buffalo or cow,
with the milk solids removed. It adds a
rich and delicious flavour to food. Widely used in
Indian cooking, it can be heated to high temperatures
without burning. Available in Indian food stores.
Substitute butter or vegetable oil.
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Gingelly oil
A light oil made from unroasted sesame seeds. It is sold
in Indian food stores.
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