9 Ingredients Chefs Can't Live Without (Real Simple Tips, Friday)

By Maki Yazawa Remember when you'd dine at a restaurant and leave wondering how on earth their food always seems to taste a million times better than what you make at home? Aside from fancy knife skills and the ability to easily flip an egg in a pan, chefs rely on a selection of ingredients to enhance flavors and add umami that will leave you craving more. Here are 9 common ingredients that will transform your ordinary pantry into a chef’s paradise.