Jalapeno pepper
Jalapeno pepper Pronounce it: ha-la-pee-no pep-per A member of the capsicum family, jalapeño chillies range from moderately to very hot. Originating from South America, they are about 4cm long, dark green when young and scarlet…
Buckwheat
Buckwheat Pronounce it: buhk-weet Buckwheat actually comes from the seeds of a plant distantly related to rhubarb and is neither related to wheat, nor, technically, a grain. It is usually found in ground form, but can also be bought…
Blackberry
Blackberry Pronounce it: blak-bear-ee A purply black-coloured berry comprising many individual seed-containing fruits surrounding a cone-shaped core. Wonderfully juicy, they’re good raw (straight from the hedge!) or cooked and are bursting with vitamin C. Wild,…
Angelica
Angelica Pronounce it: an-gell-ik-ah This sweet ‘herb of the angels’ is a member of the parsley family and was once thought to be a remedy against witchcraft, poison and plague. Its pale green, celery-like stalks…
Parsley
Parsley Pronounce it: par-slee One of the most ubiquitous herbs in British cookery, parsley is also popular in European and Middle Eastern food. The traditional British choice is curly parsley, but flat leaved (Continental) parsley…
Celeriac
Celeriac Pronounce it: sell-air-e-ak The unsung hero of the vegetable world, knobbly, odd-shaped celeriac has a subtle, celery-like flavour, with nutty overtones. Try it as mash, in big-flavoured, slow-cook dishes, or in its classic form,…
Chianti
Chianti Pronounce it: key-anti An area in Italy’s Tuscany region and name of one of Italy’s most famous red wines. The main grape in Chianti is the Sangiovese, and flavours can include cherries, raspberries, plums…
Onion
Onion Pronounce it: un-yun Onions are endlessly versatile and an essential ingredient in countless recipes. Native to Asia, these underground bulbs are prized all over the world for the depth and flavour that they add…
Coconut
Coconut Pronounce it: koe-koe-nut A large hairy, brown nut that grows on the coconut tree, found throughout the world’s tropical islands and countries. The coconut tree is known as the ‘Tree of Life’ given its…
Hummus
Hummus Pronounce it: hoom-iss, hum-iss Hummus or houmous is a staple of Middle Eastern diets. It’s a purée of cooked chickpeas, flavoured with tahini (a paste of roasted sesame seeds) plus olive oil, lemon juice…