5 Pantry Essentials - Asian Edition
I am obsessed with Asian food—Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean... you name it, I’m eating it. Not only do I love the flavours, I also love the variety of dishes that can be knocked up pretty quickly—especially if you keep a few key ingredients in stock. The number of quick, CBA stir-fries I’ve thrown together would be impossible to count, but they’re always tasty and far more satisfying than other quick fixes. Beige freezer tea, I’m looking at you, hun.
Gochujang Paste
A legitimate taste sensation, this Korean red chilli paste is a firm favourite in this house. Once opened, I keep it in the fridge, and it usually lasts a good few weeks. From adding a teaspoon to a quick stir-fry sauce to making something more extravagant (e.g. Korean fried chicken... 😍), there are so many possibilities if you have this lil’ flavour bomb in your arsenal.
Peanut Butter
Much like the gochujang above, a spoonful of this can really elevate a cupboard-raid dinner. I’ve found that better quality peanut butter works best—Pip & Nut or Whole Earth are two of my favourites. Add it to your next noodle dish for a nutty kick or mix with coconut milk to make a rich, decadent satay sauce. The only question remaining is: crunchy or smooth?
Frozen Raw King Prawns
A quick prawn stir-fry is joy in a bowl. I’ve always found fresh supermarket prawns a bit lacking—they just shrivel up and taste quite... “meh”. BUT frozen raw king prawns are a different story. There’s always a bag or two in the freezer here. They keep their shape and have a gorgeous, meaty taste. You still have to defrost them before cooking, so I usually take them out the night before and defrost them in the fridge.
Chilli Oil
There is always a jar of chilli oil on the go in this house—my Honey Chilli Chicken (recipe available on The Pass) is on the menu almost weekly, so we’re always ploughing through it. I use Lee Kum Kee as it’s readily available in my local supermarket, but other brands are available.
Toasted sesame seeds
Just a handy addition to your spice cupboard, to be honest. Can’t go wrong with a wee sprinkle right at the end. A spot on garnish.
In a nutshell, having a few of these key ingredients on hand means you’re always just minutes away from a tasty, satisfying meal that’s packed with flavour. Whether it’s a quick stir-fry, a noodle dish, or something a bit more indulgent, you’ll never be stuck staring into the fridge in despair again. Asian-inspired dinners don’t have to be complicated—just delicious!
Jenna xx
