Leek
Leek Pronounce it: lee-k Like garlic and onion, leeks are a member of the allium family, but have their own distinct flavour – quite harsh when raw (only very young leeks are eaten this way)…
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi Pronounce it: cole-rah-bee Looking something like a Sputnik in vegetable form, with a squat bulb and antennae-like shoots, kohlrabi is part of the cabbage family. The name translates as ‘turnip cabbage’ and the mild,…
Barbera
Barbera Pronounce it: bar-bare-ah Pizza house star This is probably the first red wine anyone drinks in an Italian restaurant or pizza place. That’s because it can be cheap and very cheerful. The red, juicy…
Prosecco
Prosecco Pronounce it: proh-sekk-oh Bubbling Prosecco is now one of the UK’s most popular alcoholic drinks. Not all varieties deliver profound lasting flavours and the bubbles may dissapear quickly, but this sparkling white wine’s production cost…
Riesling
Riesling Pronounce it: ree-zling Wine writers’ favourite Ask wine writers for their favourite variety and the one many will name is Riesling. The reason is its capacity to produce great wines across the world, all…
Clove
Clove Pronounce it: klo-ve The dry, unopened flower bud of the tropical myrtle tree family used to flavour a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Cloves can be used whole or ground to impart…
Swede
Swede Pronounce it: sw-ee-d A member of the cabbage family, the swede is often confused with the turnip, though they look quite different. It’s also known as yellow turnip, Swedish turnip and Russian turnip and,…
Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is an alkali which is used to raise soda breads and full-flavoured cakes such as gingerbread, fruit cake, chocolate cake and carrot cake. It needs an…
Turnip
Turnip Pronounce it: tern-ip Turnips are creamy-white with a lovely purple, red or greenish upper part where the taproot has been exposed to sunlight. Like swedes, turnips are a root vegetable and member of the…
Harissa
Harissa Pronounce it: ha-riss-ah This hot, aromatic paste made from chilli and assorted other spices and herbs is spicy and fragrant. It’s widely used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines as a condiment, or…