Cooking Paste

 Cooking paste

Cooking paste, also known as spice paste, is a pre-made mixture of ground or blended ingredients used to add flavor to dishes. The paste is typically made from a variety of herbs, spices, and aromatics, such as garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chilies, and coriander, among others.

Cooking paste

 

Cooking paste is often used as a base for curries, stews, marinades, and other dishes. It can be used to add depth of flavor and complexity to a dish without having to measure and blend individual spices and herbs. The paste is usually added to the dish during the cooking process and then simmered to allow the flavors to develop.

Some common types of cooking paste include:

1. Curry paste: A blend of spices and aromatics, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and chilies, used to make curries.

2. Tom Yum paste: A blend of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and other ingredients used to make the popular Thai soup, Tom Yum.

3. Harissa paste: A spicy paste made from roasted red peppers, garlic, chili peppers, and spices, commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine.

4. Pesto: A paste made from basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, commonly used as a sauce for pasta dishes.

Cooking paste can be found in many grocery stores and markets, or it can be made from scratch at home using fresh ingredients. Homemade cooking paste is often more flavorful and healthier than store-bought versions, as it does not contain any preservatives or additives.