Your Guide to Achieving Your Desired Flavor Profiles
Have you ever wondered what makes a dish taste like it came from a particular country, or a particular region? When I was starting to venture into cooking without following specific recipes (or modifying the recipes that I did have), that question popped up a lot in my head.
Turns out, a lot of it has to do with the flavor profiles of different regions and countries and cultures. Know those, and you’re a huge step closer to being able to whip up a flavorful Italian dish or a scrumptious Thai meal.
The following flavor profiles can be used to flavor vinaigrettes, soups, stir fries, meats, and more, and help them take on the uniqueness of a particular region or culture. You don’t need to use everything listed—often just a few of them will be enough. However, having so many options to choose from will make it easier to pull something together with what you have on hand. Bear in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and often the same vegetables or spices can be used to achieve a variety of flavor profiles (depending on what you pair them with).
Cajun (Creole):
- Andouille sausage
- Blackening seasonings
- Cajun spice blends
- Cayenne
- Celery
- Crab
- Green pepper
- Lemon
- Onions
- Parsley
- Scallions
- Shrimp
- Tomatoes
Central/South Asian
- Cilantro
- Coconut milk
- Fish sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Hot chili peppers
- Lemongrass
- Oyster sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Shallots
- Shrimp paste
- Soy sauce
- Sweet wine vinegar (Aji-Mirin)
- Thai basil
French
- Bay leaves
- Brie
- Butter
- Capers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chervil
- Chives
- Cream
- Dijon mustard
- Herbs de Provence
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Shallots
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Truffle
- Wine (red and white)
Indian
- Basmati rice
- Cardamom
- Coconut cream
- Coconut milk
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Curry
- Dried chilies
- Fennel
- Fenugreek
- Garam masala
- Garlic
- Saffron
- Tamarind
- Tandoori spices
- Yogurt
Italian
- Artichokes
- Balsamic vinegar
- Basil
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil
- Olives
- Onions
- Oregano
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or Parmesan cheese)
- Parsley
- Pesto
- Pine nuts
- Prosciutto
- Red pepper flakes
- Rosemary
- Tomatoes
- White beans
Japanese
- Ginger
- Miso
- Rice vinegar
- Sake
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Soy sauce
- Wasabi
Mediterranean
- Bay leaves
- Feta cheese
- Fish
- Garlic
- Lamb
- Lemon
- Olive oil
- Olives
- Oregano
- Red onions
- Rosemary
- Shellfish
- Thyme
- Tomatoes
- Tuna
Mexican
- Avocado
- Black beans
- Cheddar cheese
- Chili powder
- Cilantro
- Cotija cheese
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Green peppers
- Hot sauce
- Lime
- Onions
- Oregano
- Pinto beans
- Scallions
- Tomatoes
North African
Here is a round-up of products mentioned in the article for your shopping convenience!
- Balsamic vinegar
- Basil
- Basmati rice
- Bay leaves
- Cardamom
- Cayenne
- Chili powder
- Coconut cream
- Coconut Milk
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Fennel
- Fish sauce
- Garam masala
- Ground ginger
- Harissa
- Herbs de Provence
- Miso
- Oregano
- Oyster sauce
- Pesto
- Pine nuts
- Red pepper flakes
- Rice vinegar
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Sake
- Sesame oil
- Shrimp paste
- Soy sauce
- Sweet wine vinegar (Aji-Mirin)
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- Wasabi
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