The Worldwide Pantry

Most likely, our mothers only had to worry about seasoning the meatloaf and choosing between mashed potatoes or baked. Today's dinner table is a different story, though. All the time, a wider selection of new, exotic ingredients is appearing in our supermarkets, and we are faced with figuring out whether to season with lemon juice, fish sauce, mirin or balsamic vinegar, and we find ourselves puzzling over exactly what kind of dish cardamom really belongs in. No longer content with standard domestic fare every night, our interest in international cuisine is exploding. If you've been experimenting with recipes from other cultures and you feel a little bit lost when it comes to adding personal touches or creating new dishes of your own, it's helpful to know which ingredients are instrumental to your favorite ethnic cooking traditions. We've made some handy charts for you, listing the 25 most common ingredients you'll find in the kitchens of home cooks all over the world. • Italian Pantry Oregano, Flat-leaf parsley, Basil, Fennel, Rosemary, Semolina pasta, Olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, Tomatoes, Anchovies, Olives, Lemons, Sage, Mozzarella, Ricotta cheese, Capers, Eggplant, Almonds, Polenta, Cannellini beans, Porcini mushrooms, Pine nuts, Arborio rice, Prosciutto di parma, Parmigiano-reggiano. • Chinese Pantry Soy sauce, Plum sauce, Black bean sauce, Hoisin sauce, Peanut oil, Sesame oil, Rice wine, Chinese red and black vinegars, Chili paste, Five spice powder, Wonton or spring roll wrappers, Pork, Sesame seeds, Tofu, Ginger, Straw mushrooms, Bean sprouts, Shallots, Bok choy, Green onions, Red chiles, Garlic, Cilantro, Cabbages, Rice. • Japanese Pantry Fish, Soy sauce, Sesame oil, Rice wine vinegar, Plum wine, Nori, Chicken, Tofu, Mayonnaise, Mirin, Dashi, Udon noodles, Ramen noodles, Miso, Sesame seeds, Daikon, Cucumbers, Ginger, Shiitake mushrooms, Enoki mushrooms, Japanese eggplant, Bamboo shoots, Water chestnuts, Tempura batter mix, Rice. • Southeast Asian (Thai, Vietnamese) Pantry Mint, Galanga, Basil, Mangos, Cardamom, Bean sprouts, Tamarind, Lemongrass, Fresh chiles, Garlic, Fish sauce, Rice noodles, Cilantro, Dried chiles, Papayas, Coconut milk, Tofu, Kaffir lime leaves, Peanuts, Turmeric, Shallots, Shrimp, Jasmine rice, Limes, Cucumbers. • Caribbean Pantry Rice, Green onions, Coconut, Thyme, Mint, Allspice, Oregano, Avocados, Yams, Tomatoes, Raisins, Plantains, Limes, Sugar, Bananas, Collard greens, Mangos, Soy sauce, Scotch bonnet peppers, Vanilla, Garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dried salt cod, Capers, Ackee. • South American Pantry Rice, Tomatoes, Beef, Squash, Chick peas, Chiles, Hearts of palm, Bananas, Garlic, Black olives, Limes, Dried salt cod, Oranges, Papayas, Onions, Raisins, Basil, Black beans, Coconuts, Peaches, Black beans, Kale, Sausage. • African Pantry Olive oil, Saffron, Peanuts, Sesame seeds, Plantains, Black-eyed peas, Lentils, Chicken, Pumpkin seeds, Turmeric, Cumin, Millet, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Cassava, Coriander, Rice, Yams, Eggplant, Beef, Coconuts, Okra, Grains of paradise, Cardamom, Ginger, Cabbage, Chiles. • Moroccan Pantry Mint, Honey, Carrots, Lamb, Pine nuts, Dried fruits, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Turnips, Olives, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Couscous, Turmeric, Orange flower water, Preserved Lemons, Cumin, Chicken, Squash, Pomegranates, Parsley, Eggs, Saffron, Almonds, Yogurt. • Mexican Pantry Rice, Onions, Lemons, Oranges, Raisins, Cloves, Thyme, Dried beans, Tomatoes, Chayote, Garlic, Olives, Almonds, Cinnamon, Limes, Oregano, Vanilla, Cilantro, Cumin, Corn, Cotija cheese, Beans, Avocado, Mangos, Pork. • Greek Pantry Lamb, Figs, Raisins, Oregano, Olive oil, Mint, Thyme, Lemons, Rosemary, Olives, Yogurt, Pistachios, Phyllo pastry, Zucchini, White beans, Spinach, Garlic, Bell peppers, Dill, Cucumbers, Currants, Fish, Feta cheese, Grape leaves, Eggplant. • French Pantry Thyme, Potatoes, Tarragon, Lemons, Apples, Chervil, Dijon mustard, Crème fraiche, Sea salt, Cabbage, Red & white wines, Grueyere cheese, Red wine vinegar, Raspberries, Bacon, Onions, Eggs, Butter, Parsley, Leeks, Mushrooms, Lentils, Shallots, Garlic, Hazelnuts. • Indian Pantry Basmati rice, Garbanzo beans, Spinach, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Coriander, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Cumin, Coconuts, Tomatoes, Cilantro, Ginger, Tamarind, Cloves, Yogurt, Mangos, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Chicken, Lamb, Lentils, Chapati flour, Garam masala, Chiles.