A guide to all the new condiments lining grocery shelves

Here’s an assortment of condiments that have nestled themselves happily into my pantry. (Shutterstock photo)

Sauces, dressings, salsas, mustards, honeys, international ingredients. The selection of condiments at grocery stores has expanded dramatically in recent years.

Some are hardly new, except to those unfamiliar with certain cuisines. Others are contemporary twists on classic products, or hybrids.

Here’s an assortment of condiments that have nestled themselves happily into my pantry. (This list is just the tippiest tip of the iceberg.)

HONEY

Available in many varieties, usually reflecting the bees’ food source. A little honey in a glaze for fish, in a salad dressing or over a piece of cheese on a crostini is a simple way to add a bump of sweetness with a slightly earthy taste. Some brands to consider are Savanah Bee Honey, which works with beekeepers around the world and make tons of flavours, and Mike’s Hot Honey, which is infused with Brazilian chilies.

PESTO

A paste often made from basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts and olive oil, though there are many variations. Barilla makes a good commercial bottled pesto; Buitoni makes one that you can find in the refrigerated section at the market; and Melissa’s makes a sundried tomato version. For a simple dinner that will transport you to Italy, toss some pesto with hot pasta and a splash of olive oil, or make a speedy, company-worthy appetizer by spreading some pesto on baguette slices with cream cheese or another soft cheese. It’s also amazing worked into garlic bread.

TAPENADES

Spreads made from olives — black, green or otherwise — tapenades can be smooth or chunky. They can be olive-centric, or feature add-ins and other flavours. Dollop them over roasted vegetables or roasted chicken thighs, or spread on sandwiches. Divina makes a line of punchy tapenades with Greek olives, and McEvoy Ranch makes a robust assortment as well, such as Black Olive Tapenade, Olive and Roasted Pepper Tapenade, Artichoke and Olive Tapenade, and Spicy Green Olive Tapenade.

SWEET PRESERVES

If you’ve only thought about jams, jellies and preserves for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or to top a slice of toast, then you’ll have fun exploring this part of the condiment world. Some preserves are just fruit-based, but others are enhanced with herbs or other seasonings. They can be used to glaze roasts, or turn a turkey, pork or grilled cheese sandwich into something amazing. Preserves are a perfect companion to cheeses and cured meats. Try Devina Sour Cherry or Kalamata Fig Spread with Almonds; Fisher & Weiser Old-Fashioned Peach preserves; or Bon Maman’s wide line of options. Check out your farmers market or neighbourhood specialty store for local or artisanal options.

DIJON MUSTARD

Among my top five condiments of all times, Dijon is widely available. It’s mustard made with white wine, in the style of Dijon, France, and adds a sophisticated sharpness to salad dressings, marinades, sauces, potato salads, etc. Maille has a load of varieties, and Grey Poupon is also easy to find.

HAZELNUT SPREAD

At its simplest, this nutty chocolate spread can turn a piece of toast into a sweet breakfast or snack. Yes, Nutella, but there are also artisanal versions such as Italian Nocciolata, which has a dairy-free version, and a reduced-sugar white hazelnut (bianca) variety. Try it on scones, as a filling for a layer cake, or spread on slices of apples or pears.

BROWN BUTTER

Brown butter is simply butter that has been toasted until it turns slightly brown. Use it like butter or ghee, spread on bread, to make pancakes or popcorn, to anchor a sauce, and to bake. It adds a toasty, almost caramelized flavour to whatever it touches. Black & Bolyard makes a lovely grass-fed line of these in flavours such as Bay Leaf and Black Sage Honey.

HARISSA

A Moroccan or North African hot chili pepper sauce made with bell peppers, garlic and vinegar.It works as a hot sauce in whatever you’re making, such as soups, stews or chilis.Blend it into sour cream for a dip, spread it on a sandwich, stir it into scrambled eggs, blend it into mashed potatoes or other vegetable purees, add it to sauces, and drizzle it over slices of meat or poultry.Shuk makes some great harissas including fiery and preserved lemon versions. Mina is another readily available brand, and has a green pepper version.

YONDU

I just discovered this all-natural condiment, which bills itself as “vegetable essence.” It is a fermented vegetarian seasoning made from soybeans, yeast and vegetable extracts, and is like a concentrated vegan bouillon that adds complexity to all sorts of dishes. Add it to soups, stews, bean and vegetable dishes, grains and pasta whenever you need a boost of savory-ness. It’s meant to be used like salt or soy sauce, enhancing and building flavour.

SALSA ESPINALER

I came upon this hot sauce at chef Jose Andres’ Spanish food emporium Mercado in New York City. It can sit on the table pretty permanently, ready to dress seafood, potatoes, Spanish tortillas, chips — pretty much anything. It’s made from vinegar, red pepper and spices, and it’s addicting.

RESTAURANT CONDIMENTS

Your favourite restaurant or chef might make and sell some of the condiments they use. For instance, Girl and the Goat in Chicago makes a line of versatile sauces and spice blends, including a bright and earthy Yucatan sauce and a Southeast Asian sauce with fish sauce and lemon. David Chang and Momofuku have their Korean Ssam chili sauce; Rick Bayless has his Frontera salsas.

ASIAN CONDIMENTS

A huge subject, but let’s touch on a handful to have if you like making Asian food at home. Kikkoman and Lee Kum Kee are two of the most readily available and high-quality brands.

Soy sauce is probably the No. 1 ingredient needed for these dishes. It packs a rich, salty taste, and is brewed from soybeans and wheat. It can be used for dipping, marinating and cooking — especially stir fries — in all kinds of Asian cuisines. You can get gluten-free, lower-sodium and double-fermented varieties.

Sesame Oil is made from toasted sesame seeds and has a nutlike, aromatic flavour. It’s often added at the end of cooking to preserve its flavour. It’s strong, so use it in small amounts.

Hoisin Sauce is a sweet, thick, strongly flavoured sauce made from ground soybeans and some kind of starch, seasoned with vinegar, chili and garlic. The sweetness and saltiness is excellent for marinating, stir-frying, dipping, and glazing meat, seafood, vegetables and noodles.

Chili Garlic Paste or Sauce is a versatile, lightly spicy condiment that can be used for dipping, cooking, marinating or stir-frying. It’s got a slightly rough texture, and a nice dose of garlicky-ness and tanginess from vinegar.

Oyster Sauce is a staple in Chinese family-style cooking, Cantonese in particular. It’s made from oyster extracts and is used to flavour meat and vegetables, again often in stir fries, or as a topping or dipping sauce.

Gochujang is a fermented hot pepper paste used throughout Korean cuisine, with a savory umami flavour. It adds sweet and spicy notes to a variety of dishes.

Miso is a Japanese paste made from soybeans, and comes in a variety of levels of intensity, flavours and colours. There is white, yellow and red, with white being the mildest. This paste has sweet overtones with mild saltiness, and can be used in marinades, soup stocks and more.

Chili crunch or chili oil. Many world cuisines have condiments that are essentially some sort of hot chili paste with a crunchy texture, and lately they’ve been having a moment. The crunch often comes from dried garlic flakes and chili peppers. Great for drizzling and stir frying.