| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Balsamic Vinegar |
A wonderfully fragrant vinegar made from the juice of Trebbiano grapes. The juice is then heated and aged in wooden barrels, evaporating and concentrating in flavor. The resulting vinegar is deep rich brown with a sweet and sour flavor. Well aged balsamic vinegars are very costly, some reaching an astronomical $200 an ounce. Most balsamic vinegars found in the US are not "aceto balsamico tradizionale", but un aged balsamic vinegar. These vinegars lack in body and flavor that the well-aged balsamic vinegars possess, yet have a fair sweet and sour balance of flavor not found in any other vinegars. |
| base |
A base is another term for a stock which is a paste similar to bouillon, but richer, more flavorful, and less salty. You can find it in the soup section of the super market. It comes in a jar and must be refrigerated after opening. |
| bean sauce |
After soy sauce is brewed, the soybean pulp is removed from the vats and made into several types of condiments. The first is bean sauce, sometimes called brown bean sauce or soybean condiment. Use this rich condiment to replace soy sauce where thicker gravy is desired. Especially good used as a marinade for roasted meats. |
| bicarbonate of soda |
Another common name for baking soda |
| bouillon |
It is the French word for broth. It is a clear soup made from cooking meat, vegetables, poultry, or fish in water. The liquid that is strained after cooking is the bouillon, which can form the base for soups and sauces. |
| broth |
Broth is a seasoned, flavorful liquid resulting from the long simmering of meat, vegetables, poultry or fish. The French call if "bouillon." |
| canola oil |
Canola's history goes back to the rapeseed plant, but canola and rapeseed are not the same. Because canola and rapeseed have different chemical compositions, the names cannot be used interchangeably. Canola is an oilseed crop, which is grown primarily in regions of Western Canada, with some acreage being planted in Ontario and the Pacific Northwest, north central, and southeast United States. Historically, rapeseed was grown for its oil, which was used for lubricants and not for human consumption. Canola was derived from rapeseed in the early 1970's and has a different chemical composition. Canola was originally a trademark that was registered in 1978 in Canada, but is now considered a generic term. |
| caramelized sugar |
Sugar that has been cooked until it reaches a caramel color. The new flavor it attains works nicely in desserts. |
| carob |
The long, leathery pods from the tropical carob tree contain a sweet, edible pulp (which can be eaten fresh) and a few hard, inedible seeds. After drying, the pulp is roasted and ground into a powder. It is used to flavor baked goods and candies. Both fresh and dried carob pods, as well as carob powder, may be found in health food and specialty food stores. Because carob is sweet and taste vaguely of chocolate, it is often used as a chocolate substitute. |
| chestnut flour |
Chestnut flour is used primarily in Italian and Hungarian cake and pastry making. The chestnut flour used in Italian cakes and pancakes is made from pulverized raw chestnuts, whereas in Hungary it is made from dried chestnuts. |
| Chocolate |
A product of cocoa beans in which the chocolate liquor is mixed with cocoa butter in various proportions to produce the different varieties of chocolate. Bitter chocolate has no additional ingredients added. Other varieties of chocolate have additional cocoa butter added, along with sugar, milk, and vanilla. |
| condiment |
A spice, seasoning, or sauce that is used to give relish or to enhance meat or other foods, and to gratify the taste. Condiments usually supply little nourishment but add flavor to foods. Ketchup, butter, mustard, salt, mayonnaise, hot sauce, etc. are considered as condiments. The word is derived from the Latin word "condire," meaning to preserve or pickle. |
| cooking spray |
Aerosol cans sold in grocery stores containing vegetable or olive oil, which can be sprayed in a fine mist. This spray is used for "oiling" cooking pans so food does not stick. One of the benefits of using cooking spray is that fewer calories are added than if the pan is coated in oil. |
| copha |
Copha is a solid fat that is derived from the coconut. It is used primarily in recipes where it is melted and combined with other ingredients and left to set. |
| corn syrup |
It is produced when starch granules from corn are processed with acids or enzymes. It varies in color from clear white to amber. It is not as sweet as cane sugar and is used a lot in candy making. Baked goods made with corn syrup retain their moisture and stay fresh longer. Also know as syrup glucose. |
