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…
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Saffron
Saffron Pronounce it: sah-fron The stigma of a type of crocus, saffron threads have a pungent and distinctive aroma and flavour – slightly bitter, a little musty, and with a suggestion of something floral. It’s…
Salsify
Salsify Pronounce it: sal-suhf-eye A root vegetable belonging to the dandelion family, salsify is also known as the oyster plant because of its oystery taste when cooked. The root is similar in appearance to a…
Salted caramel
Salted caramel Pronounce it: sol-tid ka-rah-mel These two words are among the most over-used, misunderstood and thus potentially most disappointing in the current world of cooking and eating. Caramel is simply sugar that has been…
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…
Seitan
Seitan Pronounce it: say-tan Seitan (or wheat gluten) is pure gluten, vegetarian protein, extracted from several types of wheat flour by a kneading and rinsing process, after which it is boiled for some time before…
Shichimi togarashi
Shichimi togarashi Shichimi togarashi, a Japanese seven-spice mix, is a spicy-savoury blend of ground chillies, plus a variety of other ingredients that typically include sesame seeds, poppy seeds and citrus peel. Availability Find it in…
Shallot
Shallot Pronounce it: shal-lot Related to the onion (as opposed to being a younger version of it), shallots grow in clusters at the leaf base. Most varieties are smaller than onions, have finer layers and…
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…
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,…