Glossary

Glossary:

Arborio Rice A short-grain rice from Italy used to make risotto. The high starch content gives the dish its creamy texture. Available in gourmet grocery stores and natural food stores.

Bulgur - Cracked and toasted wheat. Has a nutty flavor, and is used in tabouli recipes. Widely available in supermarkets and natural food stores.

Champagne vinegar - Light tasting vinegar made from Champagne wine. Rice Vinegar makes a good substitute. Available in gourmet grocery stores and natural food stores.

Couscous - a pellet-shaped pasta used in North African dishes. Readily available in most supermarkets.

Flax seed goop - An egg substitute made by blending 1 tablespoon flax seeds until powdery, then adding 1/4 cup water. Let sit for five minutes. It will reach the consistency of eggs.

Garam Masala - A blend of spices used in Indian cooking. Available at Asian markets and natural food stores, as well as many supermarkets.

Hoisin Sauce - Thick browon sauce made from soybeans, garlic, spices and chili peppers used to flavor Chinese dishes. Available in the Asian food section of most supermarkets.

Millet - A tiny round yellowish seed containing abundant minerals native to north Africa. A non-allergenic grain, millet is made more flavorable by toasting before cooking. Available in the bulk food aisle of many health food stores.

Mirin - A sweet Japanese cooking wine. Sherry or sweet white wine makes an acceptable substitute.

Miso - A salty fermented bean paste. Dark miso is stronger than light miso. Available in some supermarkets and health food stores.

Nutritional Yeast - Prized for its nutty taste and high nutritional content. Can impart a cheese or poultry-like flavor. Available in flakes or powder form, from natural food stores or by calling The Mail Order Catalog, 1-800-695-2241.

Polenta - Coarsely ground Italian cornmeal that is simmered in water like porridge, then served soft or cooled and sliced. Grits or yellow cornmeal can be substituted.

Portobello - Large mushrooms with meat-like texture that hold up well to grilling. Available in the produce section of most supermarkets.

Rice Vinegar - A lightly-flavored vinegar made from rice. Found in the Asian section of most supermarkets.

Seitan - A meat analog made from wheat glutan. Available in natural food stores.

Silken Tofu - a smooth delicate tofu that is excellent for blending into desserts, sauces, dips and cream soups. Available in aseptic packages that need no refrigeration. Available in most grocery stores.

Soy Milk - A dairy substitute made from soy beans. Soy milk differs in taste from brand to brand; some are thicker and sweeter than others. A good powdered soymilk is Better Than Milk brand, available in most grocery stores or here or by phoning 1-800-277-2320.

Tahini - Sesame seed paste. Excess oil often gathers on the top, and can be poured off. Available in well-stocked grocery stores and natural food stores.

Tamari - a healthy substitute for soy sauce. Available in natural food stores.

Tempeh - A grainy-textured soy product. Can be made from different grains, including rice, millet, and barley. Available in health food stores.

Umeboshi Vinegar - Sweet plum vinegar. Exotic substitute for cider vinegar.