Sesame seeds 芝麻 (zhī ma)

Made from sesame seeds, there are two kinds, light (untoasted) and toasted. The light variety can be used for cooking. The toasted variety is an amber-colored oil made from roasted and pressed sesame seeds. It is very fragrant and has a slight peanut flavor. It is generally not used for frying but is added at the end of cooking or as a condiment to add flavor.

Pork belly 五花肉 (wǔ huā ròu)

This is meat from the belly of a pig and is the same cut of meat used to make bacon. It is very fatty and flavorful. You may substitute fatty pork loin.

Pine nuts 松仁 (sōng rén)

These ivory-colored teardrop-shaped nuts come from the pinecones that grow on certain varieties of evergreen trees. These nuts are high in fat and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. There are two types of pine nuts available, Italian pine nuts and Chinese pine nuts. We recommend cooking with Italian pine nuts, as the Chinese variety can have a lingering bitter taste. Italian pine nuts are sometimes referred to as pignoli nuts.

Peanut oil 花生油 (huā shēng yóu)

Made from peanuts, this cooking oil is sometimes called groundnut oil. It has a slight peanut taste and a high smoking point, which makes it excellent for deep-frying. It should not be used when someone has a peanut food allergy. Canola oil is a good substitute.

Paprika 红辣椒粉 (hóng là jiāo fěn)

This is a spice made from ground red peppers that is used to add color and sometimes heat to dishes. There are two main varieties: sweet paprika 甜椒粉 (tián jiāo fěn) and hot paprika 红辣椒粉 (hóng là jiāo fěn).