Glossary

Sorrel

Sorrel

Sorrel Pronounce it: sor-rel Sorrel has a sharp, lemony flavour – the name derives from the French for ‘sour’. Highly regarded in France, where the leaves are used in soups and sauces, sorrel can also…


Sweet potato

Sweet potato

Sweet potato Pronounce it: sweet po-tate-toe Sweet potatoes have a creamy texture and a sweet-spicy flavour that makes them ideal for savoury dishes. There are two types, one with bright orange flesh, the other with…


Sauté

Sauté

Sauté Pronounce it: saw-tay A French term used to describe a method for cooking foods in a shallow pan using high heat. The food is cooked in the pan uncovered, in a small quantity of…


Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts Pronounce it: bruss-ell spr-ow-t The quintessential Christmas dinner veg, Brussels sprouts are throught to have been cultivated in Belgium in the 16th century – hence the name. Although they’re related to cabbage –…


Smoked salt

Smoked salt

Smoked salt Smoked salt is created when rock salt or sea salt are smoked over a wood fire. The salt is either hot or cold smoked but both methods impart a rich smoky flavour and…


Chia

Chia

Chia Pronounce it: chee-uh An annual summer herbaceous plant and part of the mint family, this pseudo-grain consists of tiny dark, oval seeds that swell to nine times their original size when added to liquid or eaten.  The…


Red cabbage

Red cabbage

Red cabbage Pronounce it: red cab-idge A favourite winter vegetable served hot with roasted game birds but equally good as a colourful and gratifying addition to any hot meal. It is usually long cooked with…


Grapefruit

Grapefruit Pronounce it: grape-froot Named for the fact that the fruits grow in grape-like bunches, grapefruits are the largest citrus fruits, growing up to 18cm in diameter. Inside, the flesh is segmented, like an orange,…


Couscous

Couscous

Couscous Pronounce it: koos-koos Consisting of many tiny granules made from steamed and dried durum wheat, couscous has become a popular alternative to rice and pasta. It has a light fluffy texture which is a…


Sumac

Sumac

Sumac Pronounce it: soo-mak This wine-coloured ground spice is one of the most useful but least known and most underappreciated. Made from dried berries, it has an appealing lemon-lime tartness that can be widely used. In…