Ingredients Flashcards
Effortlessly learn to recognize the best ingredients that the world has to offer, and never be caught off-guard at the snazzy new restaurant or in the gourmet foods aisle of the supermarket.
Describe the following ingredient:
arborio rice
short, plump-grain rice with high starch content; commonly used to make risotto
able to retain its shape and al dente bite throughout the cooking process much better than other varieties of rice such as long-grain basmati
Describe the following ingredient:
Arctic char
fish that lives in both fresh and salt water; closely related to salmon and trout
full of Omega-3 essential fatty acids
has thick skin that retains moisture and oil and crisps nicely when pan seared
Describe the following ingredient:
bonito flakes
dried fish flakes used in Japanese cuisine to flavor broths, marinades, and condiments
used to make dashi broth and miso soup
lends a subtle, smoked fish flavor to a dish
Describe the following ingredient:
bresaola
beef tenderloin that has been salt cured and then air dried
as a popular Italian antipasto, it is thinly sliced and served with olive oil, lemon juice, and black peppercorns
Describe the following ingredient:
capers
very small, green bud of the caper shrub native to warm climates throughout the world
usually pickled or salted then used in recipes to add intense flavor and texture
“olive oil with fresh herbs and capers” is a simple and popular condiment
Describe the following ingredient:
caviar
harvested fish eggs that are lightly salted and eaten raw
synonymous with wealth and luxury due to its high price tag (over $2,000/lb. for the very best)
sturgeon eggs are most sought-after
variety of species (salmon, trout, whitefish) used, all with different sizes, shapes, and colors
typically served as an hors d’oeuvre with smoked salmon and crème fraîche on a blini
Describe the following ingredient:
chanterelle
small to medium-sized mushroom with unique golden brown color and nutty flavor
a favorite to many for its bold flavor, texture, and aroma
harvested in the wild from June-October
very short shelf life and must be thoroughly cleaned
Describe the following ingredient:
chickpea
a medium-sized legume with a distinct shape, flavor, and texture; popular in cuisines throughout the world
cultivated by ancient Middle Eastern civilizations dating back to 3500 B.C.
high in protein and carbohydrates
cooked in a variety of ways, served both hot and cold
the main ingredient in hummus
Describe the following ingredient:
chorizo
spicy pork sausage
specialty of Spanish and Mexican cuisines
made with either smoked or fresh pork
typically grilled or roasted then added to a soup, stew, casserole, or rice dish
Describe the following ingredient:
crème fraîche
thickened cream that is slightly thinner than sour cream and lacks its sour flavor
traditional ingredient in French cuisine, now widely used around the world for the thickening of sauces, soups, and drinks
Describe the following ingredient:
endive
leafy vegetable with several varieties and names
one variety has small, yellowish shoots that form a tight head similar to romaine lettuce; known as “endive” in America and most of Europe, but as “chicory” in England
another has a white core with small, spiny leaves; known as “frisee” or “curly endive” in America, but as “endive” in England
Describe the following ingredient:
escargots
(French word for) snails
historical delicacy going back to Ancient China and Rome
chewy texture
typically boiled and then sauteed or baked
usually served with a buttery garlic and parsley sauce
Describe the following ingredient:
farro
plump grain from the wheat family that is larger but similar to barley
popular in Italian cuisine
one of the first grains cultivated in Europe
high in nutrients and serves as a healthy side dish
Describe the following ingredient:
filet mignon
a portioned piece of meat (typically 8 oz.) from the beef tenderloin
boneless, lean, and very tender
can be broiled, grilled, or pan seared
considered by many to be the finest cut of meat; very popular in restaurants and at catered events
Describe the following ingredient:
foie gras
the fattened liver of a goose or duck
a delicacy of French cuisine
can be roasted, seared, grilled, poached, pureed, or cured
typically eaten with a sweet and/or sour accompaniment due to its rich, velvety characteristics
Describe the following ingredient:
garlic
seed of an onion plant with a distinctive, pungent smell and aroma that is fundamental in many dishes and cuisines
has been cultivated for centuries, originally in Asia
also eaten for medicinal purposes to raise one’s immune system
Describe the following ingredient:
gherkin
very small (1.5 in.) un-ripened cucumber that has been pickled
also referred to as a “cornichon” (little horn)
typically eaten as a condiment to something else, like a charcuterie board
Describe the following ingredient:
hamachi
young yellowtail tuna with great texture and flavor, making it a favorite on sushi menus
Describe the following ingredient:
haricots verts
“haricot” is French for any type of bean, both fresh and dried; “vert” is French for the color green
pronounced “ariko ver”
known in America as “green string beans”
different from “green beans,” which are thicker with less snap and flavor and are typically canned or pickled
Describe the following ingredient:
jicama
root vegetable with brown skin that is peeled off to get to the white, un-sweet, pear-like textured flesh inside
can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways similar to a potato
staple in Mexican, Caribbean, and South American cuisines
popular in healthy salads and soups
Describe the following ingredient:
Kobe beef
a superior beef only produced in Kobe, Japan
meat is more marbled (fattier) and flavorsome than any other beef
must adhere to strict production standards
rumor has it that the cattle are fed beer, massaged, and then suspended in a device similar to a hammock
Describe the following ingredient:
lardons
uniformly cut, small strips of bacon that have been crisply rendered
around 1/8 in. by 1 in.
great in salads and risottos
Describe the following ingredient:
miso
a salty, fermented bean paste made from either rice, barley, or soybeans
a staple in Japanese cuisine used to flavor soups, sauces, and condiments
most commonly seen as “miso soup”
Describe the following ingredient:
monkfish
bottom-dwelling saltwater fish also referred to as anglerfish
buries itself in the sand and uses its antenna to attract prey (smaller fish)
the tail of the monkfish has a similar texture to that of the lobster and can be prepared in similar fashion
Describe the following ingredient:
nori
seaweed that has been dried and pressed into a very thin square or rectangular sheet
most commonly used to wrap sushi rolls
very dark green in color, almost black
Describe the following ingredient:
pine nuts
the small edible seeds of a coniferous tree found in the Mediterranean
usually roasted in the oven or sauteed in a pan to develop more complex flavors and aromas
found in both savory and sweet recipes such as basil pesto and spice cake
very high in protein
Describe the following ingredient:
prosciutto
salted Italian ham
in America it is more specifically thought of as un-cooked, dry-cured, pressed leg of pig
very popular in restaurants around the world for its saltiness
commonly sliced thin and served with cheese and something sweet, e.g., mozzarella or figs
Describe the following ingredient:
quail
a type of poultry that is smaller than a chicken and has flavorful white and dark meat similar to that of a pheasant
Describe the following ingredient:
quinoa
small, seed-like grain that is high in nutrients and protein
staple in ancient South American cuisines
can be boiled or ground into a meal and used for baking
popular today with vegans and vegetarians
commonly used in cold salads with dried fruits and herbs, or as a hot side dish to venison or lamb
Describe the following ingredient:
roe
fish eggs
a staple in many cuisines around the world
eaten raw, salted/cured, smoked, or air dried
popular species include sturgeon, whitefish, salmon, trout, and shad
Describe the following ingredient:
salami
Italian word used to generally describe various types of cured, air-dried sausage, such as:
- Genoa
- Soppressata
- Coppa
- Bresaola
Describe the following ingredient:
scallion
a mild relative of the onion family that is long, tube-shaped, and green
often used as a garnish, giving dishes a fresh, crisp flavor