Glossary of Cookery Terms: A

Acetic Acid
The acid in vinegar that comes from a second fermentation of beer, wine or cider.

Acidulated Water
Water to which lemon juice or wine vinegar is added, used to stop peeled vegetables from discolouring.

Agar-Agar
A seaweed based vegetarian alternative to gelatine, used as a stabiliser or thickener.

Albumen
Egg white.

Allspice
A spice, berry used as a flavouring.

Almonds
Almonds
A type of nut sweet and bitter, available blanched, whole, halved, flaked, chopped or ground, used in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Amaretti
Small almond macaroon biscuits. used as a base for trifles and other desserts.

Amontillado
Spanish sherry, in the Montilla style, usually darker and older than a fino.

Anchovy
An oily fish, anchovy fillets often preserved in salt.
Anchovy essence is also available. both used as flavourings.

Angelica
A herb, often candied used in dessert cooking. Can also be steamed and eaten as a vegetable.

Aperitif
An alcoholic drink, taken before the meal to stimulate the appetite.

Arbroath Smokie
Smoked haddock with the backbone still in. Serve grilled, poached, in kedgeree and soup.

Arrowroot
A fine white powder used for thickening sauces, similar to cornflower. Arrowroot, gives a clear gloss.
It is best mixed with a little water before adding to liquids.

Artichoke
Globe artichoke the leaves and base (heart), are eaten.
Jerusalem artichoke (of the sunflower family), the tubers that are eaten.

Asafoetida
A spice used in Roman, Indian and Middle Eastern cooking in very small amounts.

Aspic
A clear jelly made from the juices of cooked fish or meat, used to garnish or mould savoury dishes.

Aubergine
An elongated oval, purple in colour vegetable.
Also known as eggplant

Au Gratin
A dish covered with a sauce or breadcrumbs or both, then browned under a grill or in the oven.