Sesame Tahini

A thick, creamy paste made from ground, hulled sesame seeds, it is used for flavouring everything from sauces and salad dressings to dips,  spreads, and baked goods.

Shitake Mushrooms

These mushrooms are loaded with nutrition and very powerful in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to cleanse blood. Scientists have recently isolated substances from shitake that may play a role in the cure and prevention of heart disease, cancer, and AIDS. Shitake mushrooms can be found in natural food stores. They have an intensely earthy taste, so a few go a long way. It is necessary to soak the dried ones until tender, about 20 minutes before cooking (use the soaking water). Trim off the bitter-tasting stems. They are wonderful in soups, stews, gravies, sauces, and medicinal teas.