To cook lightly so that it still offers resistance to the teeth.

Blacan or Belacan (also belachan or blachang) is Malay for Shrimp paste. A common ingreadient used in Southeast Asian and Southern Chinese cooking.

To remove the skin from ingredient by submerging in boiling water then in cold water.

Also known as bulgur wheat. Is wheat that has been steamed, dried and cracked, which enables it to readily absorb moisture. To prepare burghul, place in medium bowl, cover with hot water for 10-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the grains expand and become fluffy. Burghul can also be used as an accompaniment to curries and stews.

Also known as gourmet's parsley. Chervil has a lemon-anise flavor that is lost with long coking, it should be added at the very end or used as a garnish. More delicate than parsley. Use to season poultry, seafood and vegetables. Popular in France, where it is added to omelettes, salads and soups.

French for "gherkin". Cornichons are crisp, tart pickles made from tiny gherkin cucumbers.

Daikon is a mild white radish shaped like a large carrot. also known as Japanese or Chinese radish or winter radish.

Traditional dukkah mixture combines chopped toasted nuts (often hazelnuts) with sesame, cumin and coriander seeds and spices. dukkah is usually eaten together with olive oil and pita or crusty bread.

A fresh low-fat curd cheese blended until smooth. Frûche is a sweetened version of fromage frais. Equal parts low-fat cottage cheese or low-fat cream cheese blended with plain yoghurt until smooth can be used as an alternative.

Ghee is clarified butter, the butter oil, without the lactose and other milk solids. Used to replace oils and butter in recipes. Ghee has a longer shelf life than standard butter and has a nutty, unique flavor. Used in Middle Eastern, Asian and Indian cuisine. An excellent oil for sauteing vegetable.

A Tunisian hot red sauce or paste made from chilli peppers usually containing tomatoes and garlic. Is commonly used in couscous, pasta dishes or to add colour and spice to meat dishes. Can be used as a condiment or dipping sauce with a little oil and bread.

approximately 220°C

Sweet soy sauce.

approximately 180°C

Passata is a cooked tomato concentrate or smooth tomato sauce. For small amounts, you can substitute tomato paste .

Made with partially puffed medium grain rice. Use in place of regular bread crumbs, for cooking applications such as cheesecakes or as a nutritious filler for rissoles.

Also known as risi or orso. Risoni is a rice-shaped pasta traditionally used in soups. It's also great in salads and stews.

To cook or brown in a pan in a little oil.

approximately 140°C