The Glorious Food Glossary
The Glorious Food Glossary tells you everything important about the world of food. The Food Glosssary is all about different kinds of food from all over the world and how they are prepared and what their main ingredients are.
Moreover, the glossary is all about what people all over the world are eating and drinking and their activities, festivities, marriages, etc that involves food.
This Food Glossary is all about food . . . glorious food. We tell you about the food, some stories about them and we try our best to make photos of them as we travel around the world. As of now, we are featuring extensively foods from Germany, the Philippines and the State of Kerala, India, but we will add more pictures for you to enjoy as we discover the food of the world... as we travel around the globe.
All articles are available through the search function or via the A to Z line at the top of every page.
Masala Podi
Masala Podi is the Malayalam term for Masala Powder which is used extensively in Indian cooking, especially in Kerala, India for making curries and other foods.
Masala Podi is sometimes referred to as Garam Masala, but based on my experience Masala Podi from Kerala, India is tasting much, much better than the Garam Masala I bought in Germany.
Masala Podi is used in such dish as Egg Masala, Beef Masala. I can guarantee you that you will also love this spice (Masala) when i have tasted dishes cooked with it. I have grown to love it and I am searching for Indian stores in Bremen, Germany to find the right Masala so I can again cook my favorite Masala Beef.
Masala Podi is available in spice shops around Kerala and also available plastic bottles in groceries.
Pictures below are Masala Podi bought from a spice shops in Allepey, Kerala, India and Masala Podi in plastic bottles in supermarkets and groceries.
Sweet and Sour Lapu-Lapu
Deutsch: Süß-saurer Lapu-Lapu / Español: Lapu-Lapu agridulce / Português: Lapu-Lapu agridoce / Français: Lapu-Lapu Aigre-doux / Italiano: Lapu-Lapu agrodolce
Sweet and Sour Lapu-Lapu is a Filipino dish that features Lapu-Lapu fish (grouper) cooked in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce. This dish is a fusion of Chinese culinary techniques with local Filipino ingredients, embodying the interplay of sweetness from sugar or pineapple juice, sourness from vinegar or citrus juice, and the savoriness of the fish. The sauce often includes vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and onions, enhancing the dish's flavor and adding a colorful presentation.
Marinades and Sauces
Deutsch: Marinaden und Saucen / Español: Marinadas y Salsas / Português: Marinadas e Molhos / Français: Marinades et Sauces / Italiano: Marinature e Salse
The culinary world relies heavily on Marinades and Sauces to enhance flavor, texture, and preservation of food. These liquid or semi-liquid preparations serve distinct yet complementary purposes, from tenderizing meat to adding depth to plant-based dishes. Understanding their composition and application is essential for both professional chefs and home cooks.
Crawfish
Deutsch: Flusskrebs / Español: Cangrejo de río / Português: Lagostim / Français: Écrevisse / Italiano: Gambero di fiume
Crawfish (also known as crayfish, crawdads, or mudbugs) are freshwater Crustaceans resembling small lobsters, commonly used in a variety of regional cuisines, especially in Southern United States and Cajun cooking. These crustaceans are known for their sweet, delicate meat, typically found in the tail, and are often boiled, grilled, or used in stews and soups.
Teaspoon
Deutsch: Teelöffel / Español: Cucharadita / Português: Colher de chá / Français: Cuillère à café / Italiano: Cucchiaino
Teaspoon in the context of food refers to a unit of volume measurement commonly used in cooking and baking to measure small amounts of ingredients. It is abbreviated as tsp and is equivalent to approximately 5 millilitres (0.17 fluid ounces).
Description
A teaspoon is a standard measurement in recipes for both dry and liquid ingredients. It is often used for precise amounts of items such as spices, baking powder, extracts, or oils. In recipes, the teaspoon allows for accurate and consistent measurements, ensuring the balance of flavours and proper chemical reactions, particularly in baking, where measurements can greatly affect the outcome of a dish.
Teaspoons are part of the set of measuring spoons commonly found in kitchens, which also includes measurements like tablespoons and fractions of a teaspoon (e.g., 1/2 tsp, 1/4 tsp). The capacity of a standard teaspoon can vary slightly by region, but it is broadly accepted that one metric teaspoon equals 5 millilitres.
Application Areas
- Baking: Essential for measuring baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, and other leavening agents or flavourings.
- Cooking: Used for adding seasonings, spices, and small amounts of liquid ingredients to savoury and sweet dishes.
- Mixology: In some drink recipes, teaspoons are used to measure syrups, Sugar, or small portions of liquors.
- Nutrition and Medicine: Occasionally used as a reference for liquid medicine dosages or nutritional guidelines.
Well-Known Examples
- Spices and Seasonings: Measuring out 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, salt, or cumin in a recipe.
- Baking Ingredients: Using 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a cake or Cookie recipe to ensure proper leavening.
- Liquid Ingredients: Adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavour of baked goods or desserts.
- Dressings and marinades: Including small, balanced amounts of oils or vinegar measured by the teaspoon.
Risks and Challenges
A common challenge with the teaspoon is the potential for inconsistency when using non-standard or household spoons, which may not match the precise volume of a measuring teaspoon. This can lead to variations in taste or texture in a recipe. To avoid such discrepancies, it is important to use accurate measuring tools specifically designed for cooking.
Similar Terms
- Tablespoon: A larger unit of volume used in cooking, equivalent to three teaspoons (about 15 millilitres or 0.5 fluid ounces).
- Millilitre (ml): The metric equivalent often used for precision in recipes.
- Pinch: An informal measurement smaller than a teaspoon, typically used for salt or spices.
- Cup: A larger volume measurement, used for measuring ingredients in larger quantities.
Summary
A teaspoon is a small yet crucial measurement in cooking and baking, providing precision for adding both dry and liquid ingredients. Its consistent use helps ensure that recipes are balanced and successful. While it is generally standardised at 5 millilitres, using appropriate measuring tools is essential for accuracy.
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