Know Your Ingredients

Growing up, I never went through a picky stage, and today there is nothing that I wouldn't taste — except for one fishy thing. As a small child, my mother claims I gorged on tuna fish with no hesitation, but for some inexplicable reason, things took a very different turn. It's been a family mystery ever since.

I recently moved in with a new roommate and felt confident that, when it came to all things kitchen, I had covered all the bases with her: sharing food is a necessity for me (labeling containers just seems so sad and weird), if there are dishes in the sink, just do them (it all evens out eventually), and depending on the week, I call for Indian takeout an embarrassing amount of times.

Then it happened. I walked into the apartment postwork one rainy night and saw my roommate cooking up tuna and tomato soup in the kitchen. That was when I realized I'd left an important detail out of the equation.

Keep reading to see how I faced up to my fear of tuna.

Drinks that use hibiscus have been around for quite a while, but more and more I'm noticing the brightly colored, beautiful flower being used in cooking (hibiscus loaf cake, anyone?). But what's the scoop on this trendy floral ingredient? Find out when you keep reading.

On my last trip to Tokyo, we hit up a tiny place known for its spicy tonkotsu ramen, those famous skinny noodles topped with a hearty pork bone broth. The guys behind the counter shouted a counting rhyme as they deftly assembled each element of each serving, and when my teeming bowl appeared before me, I was thrilled to see a heaping pile of seasoned bamboo shoots atop the noodles. It's Spring, which means that the crunchy shoots are once again in season, and I can't wait to simmer my own batch for some seasonal stir-fries and soups.

Bamboozled by this Asian ingredient? Keep reading to learn more.

With so many different types of onions, a full, comprehensive guide would be more than a little tedious, so we've put together a short, simple list of all the must-know points — from taste variation to shelf life to quick cooking tips. Not sure which onions to use in which dish? Learn these basics to boost your knowledge:

Colors
Onions come in a large variety of types, tastes, and colors, the most common being yellow, red, white, and green. They can also be bred to create hybrids with different levels of maturity. Depending on the size and intended purpose, these are generally referred to as either pearl, boiler, or pickler onions. On top of all these different types are several forms, too, including fresh, frozen, canned, caramelized, chopped, or dehydrated, as in onion powder.

Taste
The most common is the yellow onion, which has brown skin, white flesh, and a strong, pungent taste that gives French onion soup its unique flavor. Red onions, on the other hand, tend to be best either fresh or grilled to maintain their sweet and spicy taste. The traditional onion of Mexican cuisine, the white onion, is generally mild but becomes sweet when sautéed. Green onions are a small, less mature version that's harvested while the shoots are still green, and since their taste is rather light, they tend to be used as a topping.

Storage
As a general rule, all fresh onions should be stored away from other produce so that they don't soak up the odors. Green onions need to be refrigerated, while the other types can usually be kept at room temperature in a cool, dark space for two to three weeks. Since sweet onions contain more sugar and water, it's smart to leave them in the refrigerator, too.

If you tend to get teary while cutting onions, check out this video and learn how to chop an onion correctly. Looking for a tasty onion-based dish? Try this caramelized vidalia onion dip recipe, or make some butter-braised onions to toss on your favorite dishes.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

I'll admit to using several of these words interchangeably on a regular basis. For the longest time, I thought that if mashed-up fruit came in a jar, it was essentially all the same thing. But as it turns out, there is a difference between jam and jelly, and preserves and fruit butters. Upon learning what those differences are, I realized why I am typically drawn to one type of spreadable fruit preserve over another.

• Chutney: A relish of Indian origin that incorporates cooked fruit, spices, and herbs.
• Fruit butters: Whole or halved fruit (often unpeeled) is cooked down with sugar and/or spices and then pressed through a sieve or a food mill. Contrary to popular belief, there is no butter involved. The name refers to the spreadability of the resulting fruit. Also, it is differentiated by the fact that no gelling agent is used.

For more, keep reading.

Photo: Susannah Chen

For a country as large as Brazil, it's no surprise that each region has its own traditional recipes and dishes. Regional cuisines have been influenced over time by immigrants and what natural crops are available to them. In the North, you will find caruru, a dish featuring okra, onions, shrimp, peanuts, and palm oil, and in the South, you'll be able to sit down to a plate of lasagna. The Northeast enjoys a stew that has been made for 300 years, while the Southeast is more accustomed to meals featuring rice and beans. Regardless of all of the differences, all of the different cuisines sound fresh and flavorful. Find out some basic Brazilian dishes and ingredients when you keep reading.

Source: Flickr User aemosion

The Korean Peninsula's position between China and Japan might lead you to believe that the cuisine is heavily influenced by both countries, but over the centuries, Korean food has developed into a genre quite distinct from its neighbors. Perhaps best known for smoky barbecue and spicy pickled cabbage kimchi, the cuisine actually is heavy on seafood and vegetables with plenty of nonspicy options. Of course, we'll never turn down piping hot charcoal barbecue or bubbling, peppery stews, but we're happy to sample any of the region's deliciously diverse dishes and soulful seasonings. For some popular dishes and ingredients keep reading

The cuisine that hails from South Africa is just as complex and multicultural as the country itself. Known as "rainbow cuisine," indigenous cookery and food from the many settlers in the country make up the broad spectrum of South African dishes. There are influences from as far as Malaysia to the Netherlands, and all come together to form a rich cuisine that is deeply loved. Generally speaking, the cuisine is heavy in meat, spices, and cooked vegetables. Find out some of the most notable and delicious South African foods — from a distinctive spiral sausage called boerewors to dried biscuits, known as rusks, that are dunked in coffee or tea — when you keep reading.

We know it best for sushi, ramen, and teriyaki chicken, but Japanese cuisine actually encompasses a vast range of dishes and flavors. Japan may be a relatively small island nation, but its topography is peppered with snow-capped mountains, broad agricultural fields, and plenty of seashore. Pasture land is at a premium, so the diet tends to be low in animal fats and relies heavily on locally sourced vegetables, grains, sea plants, and fish, with recipes adapted to the country's diverse regional preferences. But before you write it off as complicated and intimidating, know that you can complete your Japanese pantry with just a few staples, and most dishes are designed to be prepared in under an hour — perfect for a weeknight meal! Ready to learn more about turning your kitchen Japanese? Get started when you keep reading.