mussels

bacon

basil

bass

bay leaf

beans: green, navy

bell peppers, esp. red and/or roasted

bread crumbs

butter, unsalted

capers

carrots

cayenne

celery

celery seeds

chanterelles

chervil

chile peppers, esp. jalapeño

Chinese cuisine

chives

cilantro

CLAMS and clam juice

cod

cognac

CREAM

curry powder

egg yolks

fennel

fennel seeds

French cuisine

GARLIC

ginger

ham

Italian cuisine

leeks

lemon thyme

LEMON, juice

lovage

marjoram

mayonnaise, garlic

Mediterranean cuisine

mint

monkfish

mushrooms

mustard, Dijon

nutmeg

OLIVE OIL

olives, black

ONIONS, esp. red, spring, white

orange: juice, zest

oregano

oysters

paella (key ingredient)

paprika: smoked, sweet

Parmesan cheese

PARSLEY: flat-leaf, curly

pasta

PEPPER: black, white

Pernod

pesto

pine nuts

potatoes

radicchio

red pepper flakes

rice and risotto

rosemary

SAFFRON

SALT: kosher, sea

scallions

SHALLOTS

shrimp

snapper

sole

squid

stews

stocks: chicken, clam, fish

tarragon

THYME

TOMATOES

vermouth

vinaigrette

vinegar: red wine, sherry

watercress

wild rice

WINE: dry white (e.g., Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc)

zucchini