Some other foods may be unfamiliar but are worth stocking because they make food tastier and more healthful. The list below introduces some new ingredients and tells you how to use them. All are available in most large supermarkets. Apricots, when dried, add flavor to sweet or savory dishes. They are rich in fiber, beta carotene, iron, niacin, and minerals.
Baby corn is tiny cobs of corn that are eaten whole or halved in Asian dishes.
Tender and sweet when lightly cooked, they can be white or yellow. Balsamic vinegar is aged until it becomes dark and mellow, with a sweet-sour flavor. It is so intense in flavor that you need very little oil for salad dressings. Barley adds interesting flavor and texture to soups and stews, as well as soluble fiber. Basmati rice is a long-grained rice with a nutty flavor and fragrance.