"Big Oven" news and stories

The downside to a new, unique recipe is that after you use that half-tablespoon of tamarind pulp/dark miso/black mustard seeds, the product sits stagnant in your cabinet, begging to be put to use.

The Washington Post has collected a few hard-to-use ingredients and provided recipes that use them. Have leftover cacao nibs? Mix them with nuts and cranberries for a jazzed-up trail mix, or substitute them in for chocolate chips in your next batch of brownies (and check them out sprinkled over lattes at right).

Kaffir lime leaves? Stuff them in your chicken as it roasts. Pomegranate molasses? Make it into a vinagrette, or drizzle it over ice cream.

If you still have questions, consult a site like Big Oven, whose Leftover Wizard tool allows you to choose three ingredients from the extensive drop-down menu and tells you if there's a recipe that incorporates them all.