Kitchen Tips

Black Fungus

Black fungus, also known as wood ear or tree ear fungus because it grows on wood, is a dried product that must be rehydrated before use. When soaked, it enlarges greatly, so a little goes a very long way. Although black fungus resembles dried mushrooms, it is virtually flavorless. Its chief attributes are its crunchy texture and deep color.

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Ginkgo Nuts

Ginkgo nuts are pale yellowish peeled seeds of the ginkgo tree. They’re available canned in Asian markets. Subtle in flavor, ginkgo nuts appear in chawanmushi, a savory steamed custard popular in Japan, and in some Chinese soups, stews and desserts.

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Red Dates

Red dates, also known as Chinese dates, look and taste sort of like dates, though they aren’t nearly as sweet and they don’t come from a palm. Their other name is jujubes (yes, they are the original fruit from which the candy got its name). Mostly they’re eaten out of hand, like dates, but some festive Chinese and Iranian recipes call for them.