Fro's Kitchen
Global Pantry Essentials For Weeknight Wins
Stock condiments and spices that let Tuesday night taste like a world tour without leaving home.
August 2025•6 min read
A focused condiment shelf can flip a pantry raid into dinner. Treat it like a passport for your taste buds.
Condiments that carry
- Zhug: cilantro, chiles, garlic -- stir into eggs, drizzle over grain bowls, toss with grilled veg.
- Shatta: Levantine chile paste that wakes up roasted vegetables and flatbreads.
- Gochujang: sweet heat for dressings, glazes, and marinades.
- Tamarind concentrate: tangy backbone for curries, soups, and grill sauces.
- Harissa: smoky spice that loves chickpeas, carrots, and slow roasts.
Spice tactics
Buy whole spices when you can, toast them, then grind. Keep blends like garam masala, ras el hanout, and Cajun seasoning for fast rubs.
Weeknight playbook
- Roasted veg with gochujang sesame sauce over rice.
- Charred okra with tamarind butter and herbs.
- Smoky chickpea stew finished with harissa yogurt.
Respect the source
Learn the roots of every ingredient you bring home. Credit the cultures, support the shops, and honor the stories.