Cocina Del Mundo Herbs & Spices

Opening your eyes to the world's kitchen!

Glossary

Anise; anise seed-[AN-ihss] greenish-brown oval seed with licorice flavor, used as a digestive for centuries.  In India the seed is used.  Star Anise and anise have very different flavors.

Basil-[BAY-ZIHL] (basilico-Italian) annual herb of the mint family, requires intense heat and sun to grow properly in Iowa.  Easy to start from seed.  Can be grown inside during the winter in a sunny window.  Used in Mediterranean cooking, and essential in the Italian Pesto (see Mediterranean).  Over 500 varieties available throughout the world.  To name a few: anise basil, cinnamon basil, clove basil, Genovese basil, holy basil, lemon basil, licorice basil, opal basil, purple ruffle basil, sweet Italian basil, and Thai basil.  Can be preserved in olive oil and frozen for future use.  To dry fresh basil, tie together stems, and hang upside down (this is done to force the oils from the stems into the leaves) in a paper sack.  Should be dry in 1-2 weeks.  Store basil in opaque, dry,  airtight container for 6 months to a year.

Berbere-An Ethiopian spice used as a condiment, containing hot peppers, cardamom, coriander, and other spices.   See Berbere.

Bouquet garni-[boo-KAY gahr-NEE] A bunch of herbs tied together used to flavor soups.  Can be easily removed at the end of cooking.

Bruschetta-[broo-SHEH-tah] small bread slices rubbed with olive oil and garlic, heated and the served.  Bruschetta has numerous topping and dips, olive oil and garlic are the most common.

Cardamom-[KAR-duh-muhm] Cardamom is a member of the ginger family and can be purchased in Tropical plant stores.  Do NOT expect this plant to produce ginger, nor the flower that produces the cardamom pods.  Cardamom can be purchased in pods (black or green), or as a seed. The seed is highly aromatic and has a warm, spicy-sweet flavor.  Ground cardamom has lost much of its aroma and taste because the essential oils dry as soon as they are ground.  If grinding cardamom for Curry, it is alright to grind it with the shell because the shell will disintegrate when cooking.  On the medicinal side of things cardamom has been used to treat sore throats, digestive complaints, and to relieve flatulence.  This spice may be one of the most expensive spices (because it is hand-picked), but it only has to be used in small quantities because of its intense flavor.

Chai-[ch-EYE] An aromatic spiced tea in India.  Chai (masala-chai) is a blend of loose leafed tea, milk, and spices.  Chai spices are normally steeped in hot water for several minutes to release flavor.  Chai spices can also be used in cooking semi-savory cooking.

Churros-[CHOO-rohz] Mexican sweet dough that is fried and covered by cinnamon and sugar.

Cilantro-[see-lahn-troh] Chinese parsley is used heavily in Asian and Latin American cuisines.  Used fresh and dried, but best when fresh.  Cilantro is grown from the coriander seed.

Confit-[kohn-FEE] A specialty of France, preserved duck or goose slow cooked and salted.   Can be found in specialty markets.

Coriander-[KOR-ee-an-der] A seed native to the Orient and the Mediterranean.  Seeds have been used Egypt and India as far back as 900 B.C.  Used in curry dishes, and used ground in baked goods.

Couscous—[KOOS-koos] a food made from semolina and resembling tiny grains. It is cooked by steaming or briefly soaking in boiling water, and is served in the same way as rice.

Culantro-[koo-lahn-troh] Eryngium foetidum, this is not a typo.  This is the Latin-Americana pronunciation.  Culantro is an herb used in Peruvian and Puerto Rican cooking.  In Peru the leaf is used and dries fairly well.  I have learned that in Puerto Rico the seed and the leaf can be used.   In English this herb/spice is called long coriander, Mexican coriander,

Curry-From southern India, originating from the word kari, meaning sauce.  Curry has become a term people think means spicy.  Many curries are not spicy, but are made with very fragrant ingredients.  Curries can be wet, dry, or made into sauce.  15-30 ingredients go into curry powders, each blend is different depending on the cook.  Curry is used in Indian cuisine, AND Caribbean, South American, African, Asian, and the south pacific.

Gumbo File-[GUHM-boh FEE-lay] Usually a combination of thyme and sassafras leaves.

Julienne- [joo-lee-EHN] Food that has been cut into match like strips, used mostly in garnish.

Lychees- [lee-chays] litchi, white fleshed, sweet fruit.  Found in Chinese grocery fresh or canned.

Mangosteen [man-goe-STEEN] no relation to the mango.  Very similar to the tangerine.  Sweet tart flavor, and is cultivated in the Asian tropics.  Very rarely available in the U.S.

Mesquite-[meh-SKEET] A long slung hardwood used in smoking food, resulting in a smoky sweet flavor.

MSG-monosodium glutamate-white crystalline powder derived from an amino acid found in seaweed, vegetables, and cereal gluten.  MSG intensifies flavor of savory foods.  Some people have allergic reactions to MSG which has decreased its popularity  as a flavor enhancer.

Pesto- [PEH-stoh] Originated in Genoa, Italy, and is a fresh sauce crushed with a mortar and pestle.  True pesto is very simple: FRESH basil, minced garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan with olive oil.  Can be made in food processor.  Traditionally pesto is used as a pasta sauce.

Red chili; red pepper; cayenne— [rehd  CHIH-lee] (chile-Spanish); (chili-eastern culture); pronounced CHIH-lee in both cultures.  Chili in all my recipes mean a hot red pepper.  Normally that is  cayenne.  If Cayenne is the first ingredient in a spice recipe-LOOK OUT!  If red chili is the last ingredient in a recipe, you might not even taste it.

Savory- [sey-vuh-ree] (adj.)  a term describing food that is not sweet, instead full flavored.  Used with bread, sauces, or substantial dishes served for lunch and dinner.  When using sweet in comparison I am referring to desserts or foods with high sugar content.

Spicy-there is a very annoying thought that goes around...spices does not mean spicy.  Spices flavor food and drink.  Spices means the same thing as seasoning.

Tapas-[TAH-pahs] Appetizers that accompany drinks in Spain, they can also form an entire meal.  Tapas can be olives, or as substantial as omelets and sandwiches.

Torta-[TOHR-tuh] Italian for pie, tart, or cake.  Spanish for cake, loaf, or sandwich.

Torte-[TOHRT] Rich cake made with little or no flour, instead eggs, nuts, and flavorings.  Sometimes served as multilayered appetizers.

 

 

 

Food terms, items, etc...

Below I have included definitions of culinary terms; descriptions of foods, herbs, and spices; and basic info for anyone who is not accustomed to cooking.

Cilantro

Coriander