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Thai DangHaiSous
“Fish sauce is used in all kinds of marinades and dipping sauces. A simple thing to do is to cut Thai chiles into small pieces and add them to fish sauce to make a dip for fried shrimp, grilled meats like rib eye or pork shoulder, and grilled vegetables.” $11.99 for an 8.5 oz. bottle of Son brand. amazon.com
Erling Wu-BowerPacific Standard Time
“Furikake is a Japanese seasoning that’s a mixture of dried fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, and salt. At home, I put it on rice — my son loves it, and it’s a great way to get him to eat rice.” $3.99 for a 1.7 oz. jar of Ajishima brand. H Mart, 711 W. Jackson Blvd., West Loop
Zeeshan ShahSuperkhana International
“Mango pickle is an Indian condiment. It’s piquant and the acid makes food really pop. Mix a few tablespoons with salt and full-fat yogurt, and marinate chicken thighs in it.” $2.99 for a 10.5 oz. jar of Mother’s Recipe brand. Patel Brothers, 2610 W. Devon Ave., West Rogers Park
Ellison ParkIncome Tax
“An ingredient I’m into is freeze-dried produce. Crush it to make a powder to blend it into sauces, or sprinkle it onto salads for crunch. Freeze-dried pomegranate or currants are great as a topping for rice pilaf.” Rare Tea Cellar’s online store (rareteacellar. com) stocks a wide range of freeze-dried goods.
Sandra HollFloriole Cafe & Bakery
“My secret go-to spice is Chinese five spice. The blend has a lovely warming quality perfect for winter baking. I use it in place of cinnamon for a familiar but more interesting flavor. It’s perfect in apple pie and fantastic in spice rubs.” $7.49 for a 2.2 oz. jar. Spice House, 1512 N. Wells St., Old Town
Diana DávilaMi Tocaya Antojería
“I’m really into flavored vinegars. We make squash, prickly pear, fresh chile seed, and lime-pineapple versions and use them at the restaurant in salsas and pickles. At home, you can use them to finish stews or sauté.” $18.99 for a 16 oz. bottle of Supreme pineapple vinegar. amazon.com
