Have you found yourself stuck in a rotation of the same four or five mundane herbs and spices? Do you keep throwing cayenne pepper in everything you cook just so you can feel something? It’s time to shake things up, MOB.
Adding a new condiment to your kitchen cupboard can be a complete game-changer. Adding six can be a life-changer. Not only will trying out some new spices and sauces bring some excitement back to your meal times but they can also help you think about the way you cook in a completely different way. Subbing in gochujang for ketchup, for instance, can do more than add a subtle shimmer of heat to simple marinades and sauces you’re already familiar with. Understanding the basic taste profile of that paste can teach you a lot about Korean cooking and the building blocks of flavour which that cuisine most regularly deploys. Learning why certain dishes require certain condiments can make you a better cook.
I know that I’ve already done a rundown of six condiments that will change the way you cook, but I thought: why stop there? I'm constantly looking to help you up your kitchen game and I can't see the harm in throwing some more recommendations your way. I know that many of you will already be familiar with some (if not all) of these condiments. But not everyone knows as much as you do, mate – so don’t shame any novices for not knowing their way around the spice cupboard just yet.
From sambal to liquid seasoning, here are six more condiments that will improve your cooking and change the way you cook for the better.