Contents

Aphrodisiac.  A food or drink with the ability enhance the sexual prowess of men or the fertility of women.  Limited research suggests that foods which do not have aphrodisiac powers are rare, those which do include potatoes, lettuce and oysters and those which don't are swedes and turnips.  Recipes thought to improve fertility, are generally revolting.

Barrel (England/US). A measure of volume.  Traditionally used to measure beer, a barrel is 36 imperial gallons.

Biriani (Indian).  The anglicized name for an Indian dish in which the rice and other ingredients are cooked together as a form of casserole.

Bushel (England).  A measure of  volume, a Bushel is 8 gallons or quarter of a barrel.

Capsicum. The pepper family whose member range from the pungent habenero chili to the sweet red bell peppers.

Chatty (India).  A cooking vessel similar to a saucepan.

Chips (England).  The English term from Fries.  Deep fried potato sticks.

Chittack (India).  A measure of weight used in India, thought to be about 2 ounces.

Cran.  A measure of volume.  Traditionally used in the herring fisheries to describe the size of the landed catch.  A cran is 37.5 imperial gallons.  Possibly derived from a Gaelic word for measurement.

Cup.  A measure of volume.  A British cup is 10 fluid ounces, which in turn is half a pint.  An American Cup is 8 fluid ounces.

Dutch Oven (USA).  A heavy, cast iron, pot with a close fitting lid. used for cooking on the stove or outdoors over an open fire. 

Fluid Ounce.  Perversely, this is a measure of volume.  A fluid ounce is the volume of one ounce of water.  One pint of water is 20 fluid ounces.

Fries (America).  The American term from chips.  Deep fried potato sticks.

Garam Masala (India).  Literally means "hot spices".  It is a blend of spices with wide regional variations.  Not to be confused with "curry powder"

Garum (Roman).  Garum (sometimes called liquamen) was the tomato ketchup of the Roman world.  It was sufficiently disgusting to be an aphrodisiac.  The basic ingredients are strong brine, fish entrails and sunshine.

Gravlax (Sweden).  Salmon which has been "cured" using a mix of salt and sugar.

Hulling.  the act of removing he green bits from the top of a strawberry.

Lutfisk (Norway).  Salt fish.

Mate (Argentina/Uruguay).  A tea like drink.

Nasi Goreng (Indonesia).  A generic term for fried rice.  Variations range from simply fried rice to elaborate combinations of chicken and seafood.

Pillaf (Near/Far East).  A rice based dish.

Pilau (Near/Far East).  A type of rice which gives its name to a range of rice based dishes.

Paella (Spanish).  A wide, shallow bottomed metal pan frequently used to cook rice without steaming.  It gives its name to a dish of saffron coloured rice, seafood and chicken.

Risotto (Italian).  An Italian rice dish.

Russet.  A type of potato favoured by crisp manufacturers.

Skillet (US).  North American term for frying pan.

Stone.  A measure of weight, 1 stone is equivalent to 14 pounds.  Traditionally used in the fishing industry by fishermen and wholesalers.

Surstromming (Sweden).  A fish product.  Its method of manufacture is not clear, much revered in parts of Sweden and generally reviled by the rest of the planet because of its offensive smell.

Tagine (North Africa).  Slow cooked stew, often containing lamb or mutton.

Tahini (Middle East).  An oily paste made from roasted sesame seeds.

Tspn.  Short for Imperial Teaspoon. It is a measure of volume equal to one third of a tablespoon (one sixth of a fluid ounce or 5.9 milliliters).  A metric or medicinal teaspoon is 5.0 milliliters.

Tbspn.  Short for Imperial tablespoon.  It is a measure of volume, one tbspn is half a fluid ounce (or 17.7 milliliter).  A metric or medicinal tablespoon is 15 milliliters.

Page Updated: 15th December 2000