Coconut milk
Coconut milk Pronounce it: ko-ko-nut mill-k Coconut milk is not the slightly opaque liquid that flows from a freshly opened coconut – that is coconut water. Coconut milk is made by grating fresh coconut flesh and…
Glossary
Oregano
Oregano Pronounce it: or-ee-gar-no Closely related to marjoram, of which it is the wild equivalent, oregano has a coarser, more robust flavour with a hint of thyme, and a warm aroma. Oregano goes particularly well…
Lime leaf
Lime leaf Pronounce it: ly-m leef Lime leaves are obtained from the kaffir lime, which is not a true lime at all but rather a subspecies of the citrus family. Used widely in south-east Asian…
Martini cocktail
Martini cocktail Pronounce it: mah-teen-ee kok-tayl The word cocktail is vital when ordering in all except the grandest, smartest bars and restaurants. If you simply ask for a martini, you might get Martini vermouth. This…
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah / Shiraz Pronounce it: sirrah / shih-raz International celebrity The northern Rhone is the traditional home of Syrah, where it is renowned in the wines of Hermitage, Cote-Rotie and Cornas. In the Southern Rhone…
Soya beans
Soya beans Pronounce it: soi-yah beenz Soya beans and soy beans are exactly the same and the names are used interchangeably according to fashion, preference or habit. The many subsequent products, such as soya/soy sauce,…
Damson
Damson Pronounce it: dam-sun A small fruit with vibrant dark blue skin and a strong, sour flavour, damsons are similar to plums and a member of the rose family. They have a large stone and…
Mai Tai
Mai Tai Pronounce it: my-ty This cocktail was almost certainly created by Victor Bergeron, the man behind Trader Vic’s restaurants and is thus supposedly of Polynesian descent, except that rum is originally from the Caribbean…
Sangiovese
Sangiovese Pronounce it: san-gee-oh-vai-zey Ambassador for Italy If you are trying to guess the grape variety in a Tuscan red wine, then there’s a good chance that it will be Sangiovese. It won’t necessarily be…
Asparagus
Asparagus Pronounce it: a-spa-ra-gus Labour-intensive to grow, asparagus are the young shoots of a cultivated lily plant. They’re considered to be one of the delicacies of the vegetable world, with a price tag to match,…