23 pungent recipes

Homemade salt substitute blend of basil, savory, celery seed, cumin, sage, thyme, and marjoram. A pungent, sodium-free seasoning for low-sodium diets that adds real flavor.

Indonesian rujak fruit salad tosses cucumber, jicama, mango, papaya, pineapple, and Granny Smith apple in a chunky peanut, chile, palm sugar, and tamarind sauce. Sweet, sour, salty, fiery in one bite.

Crispy deep-fried shrimp tossed in a fiery pungent sauce with garlic, ginger, Thai chili paste, and lemon. Better than takeout and ready in under an hour.

Cod fillet sliced and layered with napa cabbage, topped with ginger and sesame oil, steamed and served with a tangy sweet-and-sour dill pickle sauce. A unique Chinese-inspired fish dish with a surprising twist.

Lamb slivers in pungent sauce: velveted lamb flash-fried then tossed with red bell pepper, scallions, ginger, and a tangy soy-vinegar glaze. Classic Chinese wok cooking at its sharpest.

Pan bagnat-style French roll sandwich stuffed with anchovies, black olives, capers, tomatoes, and cucumber in olive oil and mayo. A bold, briny, no-cook Mediterranean meal.

Goan pork vindaloo, tender pork shoulder in a fiery, tangy brown sauce built from freshly toasted whole spices, dried red chiles, garlic, tamarind, and vinegar. The authentic Portuguese-Indian curry, hot and sour.

A classic Chinese cold dish featuring simmered pork shoulder and crisp lotus root slices drizzled with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce. Elegant enough for a banquet, simple enough for a weeknight.

Bacon-browned chicken braised with saffron, mint, and parsley in reduced chicken broth, finished with crispy bacon bits and sweet seedless grapes. A rustic, medieval-inspired dish with bold, unexpected flavors.

Thank you Martha Stewart! She says it's important to use pungent cheeses. Sharp white cheddar produces the smoothest result; yellow and extra sharp cheddars can become grainy. MAKE SURE to pay attention to the steps so your cheese doesn't curdle.

Chinese popcorn shrimp with a cornstarch crust, tossed in sweet-and-pungent sauce with ginger, garlic, red pepper, and citrus zest. Crackling-crisp bite-sized shrimp.

Pasta aglio e olio: spaghetti with garlic and olive oil, the classic Italian three-ingredient pasta. Two versions, raw garlic for pungent bite or toasted golden garlic for sweet mellowness.

Obatzda, the classic Bavarian beer cheese spread with ripe Camembert, cream cheese, butter, and caraway seeds. Rustic, pungent, and ready in 10 minutes. A beer garden staple.

Appalachian ramp soup: wild leeks simmered with beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery, finished with butter-fried ramps for a pungent, garlicky spring broth.

Roquefort mousse blends pungent French blue cheese with cream cheese and butter, then lightens it with whipped cream and beaten egg white into a chilled molded appetizer. Sharp, airy, and built for a wine and cracker board.

Skordalia, a classic Greek garlic sauce made with mashed potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, and bread. Pungent, creamy, and served with seafood or vegetables.