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Nutmeg
A nutty spice used mostly in baking. Use sparingly.
Olive oil
An all-purpose oil that comes in two different
varieties: "extra-virgin" olive oil, which comes from
the first cold pressing of olives; and "pure" olive oil,
which may be extra-virgin oils that didn't make the
grade.
Olives, kalamata
Kalamata olives are dark purple/brown olives that are
imported from Greece. Their meaty, salty texture is a
great addition to salads.
Olives, niçoise
Niçoise olives originated in France; they are
purple/black or green and milder than kalamata olives.
Oregano
A member of the mint family, used largely in Italian
cooking.
Orzo
Pasta that is shaped like rice, and can be used in place
of rice. Excellent in salads and main dishes.
Papaya
Papayas are semitropical fruits that are sweet and
juicy.
Paprika
Ground dried red peppers.
Parsley
Parsley is an herb. Use fresh Italian flat leaf or curly
parsley in salad recipes. Chopped, it makes a pleasing
addition to salads, both in appearance and taste.
Parsnips
Parsnips are root vegetables that look like white
carrots. They have a sweet, nutty flavor. Try cooking
them just until they are tender and sprinkling them with
some fresh herbs for a simple salad.
Penne
A cylindrical pasta.
Peppers
There are a number of mild to hot peppers to choose from
when preparing a variety of dishes. Here are a few of
the more popular ones listed in order of mild to hot:
Anaheim (also called a Green Chile)—Mildly hot.
Jalapeño—Usually green but sometimes red. Moderately
hot, with an immediate bite.
Serrano—Red or green. Moderate to very hot, with an
intense bite.
Cayenne—Very hot. Red when fully matured. Long and thin.
Habañero (Scotch Bonnet)—The hottest commercially grown
pepper. Green, red, orange, or yellow.
Pesto
Basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Great with pasta.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine trees and are
excellent additions to green salads.
Poppy seeds
Tiny black seeds from the poppy flower that add a crunch
and sweetness to muffins and other baked goods.
Pomegranate seeds
Pomegranate seeds are attractive additions to green or
fruit salads. To prepare: Cut fruit in half and remove
seeds.
Quinoa
Quinoa (keen-wah) is one of the oldest grains. It is
gaining popularity because of its nutritional profile.
It's considered a complete protein because it contains
all eight essential amino acids. To prepare: Rinse
quinoa to remove coating. Boil 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups
of water, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. When cooked, the
quinoa will become corkscrew-shaped. Add cooked quinoa
to salad recipes or use in place of bulgur wheat in
tabouli. |
