Malunggay is Moringa oleifera
A drought resistant tree, various parts of Moringa oleifera are used as food and medicine in many parts of Asia. The leaves and immature pods are used in cooking.
Cooking ingredients
To cook any dish properly, a good introduction to the ingredients that go into it is a must. For example, when a recipe lists scallions as an ingredient, does it refer to onion leaves, or are scallions and onion leaves different from one another? What is the proper way to rehydrate dried mushrooms? What is fish sauce and why is salt not a worthy substitute? What is shrimp paste and why is it such an important ingredient in Asian cooking? All these and more in this section.
Are katsuobushi and bonito flakes the same?
Fine curly shavings that dance in the heat of the steam of takoyaki or okonomiyaki. They're shaved fermented fish. The Japanese name is katsuobushi but bonito flakes is …
What is dill? Is it the same as dill weed?
An annual herb that's related to celery, fennel and parsley, both leaves and seeds of dill are edible. Dill leaves are also known as dill weed (or dillweed).
Should tomato core and seeds be removed?
In most cases, there is no need to scoop out the core and seeds of the tomato. In some cases, it is advisable (though not essential) to remove them. Read on.
Oregano in the kitchen and garden
A culinary herb and staple of Mediterranean cuisines, true oregano grows in spikes during warm and sunny weather, and has tiny leaves.
Purple yam (ube) and halaya (jam)
It is Dioscorea alata, a purple-colored tuber (not be confused with taro or purplish sweet potato). We grow it in the garden to make halaya (jam).
How to rehydrate dried mushrooms
Yes, you just soak them in water. But what should be the temperature of the water? And how long do they need to soak? How do you know when they are sufficiently …