Marinara
Having originated in the Naples, Marinara
sauce is typically made with tomatoes, garlic,
herbs and onions. However, there has since
been adaptations with some supermarket
and restaurant versions including capers,
spices, red wine or olives. When homemade
you can make this classic Italian-American
sauce vegan, although just be careful when
purchasing from a supermarket or eating out.Cumin
Originally grown east of the Mediterranean
and South Asia, cumin is a flowering plant
with seeds that are often grounded down
into a powder and used to season and spice
many dishes and foods across a multiple of
cuisines.Lucuma powder
The Peruvian fruit Lucuma’s pulp is dried
into a sweet superfood powder. Having such
a distinctive caramel-like taste, the powder
can be used as a natural sweetener in cakes,
cookies, raw chocolate, smoothies or even
homemade ice cream. Plus, it contains
potassium, iron, zinc and is high in fibre too.Turmeric
If you’re a fan of curry, turmeric is the golden
orange spice known to give curries their
distinctive colour. The seasoning originates
from the dried underground stem (or rhizome)
of the Curcuma longa plant, a relative of
the ginger plant native to southern Asia.
Traditionally turmeric was used in natural
medicine. However, it’s since become a key
ingredient to many Asian and Indian dishes.
Tapioca flour
Tapioca is the starch extracted from cassava
root (a woody shrub native to Brazil). The
starch is ground into flour that is a good
substitute for those who are intolerant to
gluten. Due to its fluffy and slightly sweet
flavour, tapioca flour is best used for pies,
puddings, cakes, soup thickening and dips.
Kappa carrageenan powder
Naturally sourced from seaweed, kappa
carrageenan powder is often used as an
ingredient to transform liquids into a gel
or jelly consistency. Similar to gel made
from agar agar — firm and brittle — kappa
carrageenan is often used to suspend
ingredients like cucumbers, or to create quick
flavoured jellies to top cakes and tarts.
Cream of tartar
Cream of tartar is a regular baking ingredient
but what exactly is it? Well, technically cream
of tartar is an acid. The acid is a by-product of
grape fermentation during the wine process.
Most commonly, cream of tartar is used as a
livener. When it’s combined with baking soda
together they produce carbon dioxide gas.
Chicory
Also known as endive, chicory is a pretty
flowering plant, part of the dandelion family.
In certain cultures the leaves are used the
same way we use spinach. But, make sure the
leaves are firm and crisp or they’ll leave you
with a very bitter taste. The root on the other
hand, is roasted, grounded and brewed into a
coffee. In terms of nutritional value, the plant
is believed to be a good source of vitamins
that aids digestive heath, heart disease,
weight loss and constipation.Chinese Rice Vinegar
Made from fermented rice or rice wine,
Chinese rice vinegars are the strongest on
market. Available in red, brown, white and
black the vinegars are less acidic and distilled
than those produced in the western part of
the world. All, except black, have a mild sweet
taste and are often found in the ingredient list
of traditional Chinese dishes.Flaxseed Meal
You’ve probably heard of flaxseeds (or
linseeds) which are the seeds of a flax plant.
These seeds are used to make flax meal by
grinding them with a coffee grinder, food
processor or blender until the seeds form
into coarse flour. You can store the meal in
an airtight container for a couple of months
and add teaspoons to your smoothies, baking
treats, yogurt or saucy dishes as and when
desired. Consuming flaxseeds this way makes
them more digestible.Mulberries
Mulberries are the sweet, hanging fruit from a
genus of deciduous trees that grow across the
world. Whether you choose to eat them fresh
or dried, they are thought to be filled with
iron, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, fibre and
potassium. Add them to muffins, coat them in
cacao for a chocolatey taste — their versatility
and soft, chewy, sweet flavour make them a
great addition to your grocery list.Coconut Jam
Coconut jam is a fruit spread or curd made
from the base of coconut milk and sugar.
You can use the jam as a spread for breads,
pastries, or biscuits as it tastes incredibly
sweet. However, you do have to be conscious
of the brand you opt for as some include egg
in their recipe list.Chlorella Powder
High in protein, vitamin E and iron — Chlorella
powder is blue/ green algae (like its cousin
spirulina) used as a supplement to boost
energy and support fat loss. Native to
Taiwan and Japan the powder is becoming
increasingly popular in the western world
for its health benefits. Start by adding the
superfood to smoothies, spreads and soups if
you would like to try it.