Ingredients
Durum wheat is the second most cultivated wheat. The wheat berry is hard and used to make breads and pastas. When durum wheat is milled into flour, it has an extremely fine texture, which makes it excellent for baked goods. Semolina is durum flour that has been more coarsely milled. The flavor of durum wheat is grain-like, gently sweet and pleasing.
Ricotta is a fresh and unaged cheese made from the whey of cow's milk. It is also made with sheep, goat and water buffalo milk, but American versions often use cow's milk. The cheese is made of tiny white curds and retains a large amount of water. It is easy to mix and spread. Ricotta is a mild tasting cheese that is slightly sweet and salty.
Asiago cheese comes in two forms: fresh and aged. Fresh Asiago is matured for a month and used as a soft, mild-flavored cheese. Aged Asiago is matured for 10 months to two years and has a hard, crumbly texture and a sharp, full flavor. It can be grated and used similarly to parmesan as a topping or an ingredient in sauces.
Parmesan, also called Parmigiano-Reggiano is a type of aged cow's milk cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano must be made in Italy and is the authentic real deal. Parmesan is extremely similar, but made outside of Italy and may use slightly different methods, depending on the maker and brand. Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano is aged for an average of two years and comes in a wheel shape that is cut into smaller wedges. It has a golden color and a texture than is hard and grainy. The flavor is intense, salty and extremely umami. It perks up many savory food items.
The piquillo pepper is a sweet chili with almost no heat and is commonly grown in northern Spain. They are short with bright red shiny skin, fat tops, and a tapered body. Their flavor is sweet, earthy, and a bit smoky with a crunch in texture similar to bell pepper. They can be roasted, marinated, and prepared with a variety of methods. They pair well with savory dishes, salads, and sauces.
Eggs are an incredibly versatile protein and binder. Most eggs used in cooking come from hens and are usually unfertilized. Eggs are oval shaped and roughly 53 mm in length and 40 mm in width. Eggs have a hard, but thin and delicate shell that is brown or white and occasionally green. Inside is the clear and glossy white, with a slimy texture and in the center is the yellow opaque, round shaped yolk. Once cooked, the whites become opaque. Eggs can be scrambled, fried, boiled, and more. They are used in desserts and baked goods as a binder. Egg is also used as a wash to glaze items or dip meat into before breading it. The flavor is mild and sulfurous. It has many uses.
Mozzarella cheese is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk and sometimes buffalo milk. It is aged for 14 to 28 days, creating a white body that is still soft, but can be sliced or grated. Unlike aged mozzarella, fresh mozzarella comes packed in water and is a white misshapen ball. It has a high water content and is therefore lower in fat. Aged mozzarella comes in a block, or shredded. The flavor is mild, bland, a hint salty, but satisfyingly creamy.
Breadcrumbs are made from dry bread. The bread is crumbled, dehydrated and ground into a coarse meal. Breadcrumbs are extremely dry, crunchy and have a mild wheat flavor. The are often a light brown or off white in color. Breadcrumbs are used in much of the Western world as a crunchy coating to meats, fish and deep fried croquettes.
Flavors refer to any number of additives that gives food and drink items a specific or enhanced taste. These flavors may be from natural or artificial sources. Natural flavors come from oils, distillations, oleoresins, protein hydrolysates or extracts made from plants including: barks, fruits, vegetables and herbs, or from animal sources. These sources undergo a number of different methods in order for the flavor to be obtained and made into use for human consumption. Artificial flavors are made from lab-obtained sources, such as petroleum and various chemical compounds. They are made to mimic the exact taste of its replacement, for example: vanilla, lemon, or raspberry and often undergo strict testing before the artificial flavor is allowed to be used in a food source.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
Yeast is a single celled organism used in food and beverage production. It both naturally occurs and is added in to certain foods such as breads, beer and wine. Specific kinds of yeast are used to add depth of flavor to savory foods. Yeast is usually sold as tiny beige granules. It leavens bread, ferments beer and imparts a satisfying umami flavor.
Butter is made from churned cream, usually from a cow. It has a cream color and a texture that is smooth and melts easily. The flavor is mild, creamy and salty. Butter is often sold in square sticks, or as a flat or round block. It is delicious on bread, in baked goods and makes an excellent cooking fat.
Vegetable oil is obtained by extracting oil from seeds. Types of vegetable oil include canola, sunflower, corn, and safflower. Light and with a neutral taste, vegetable oils are used to fry foods, or can be used to lightly coat meats and vegetables before roasting. Vegetable oils are also used as ingredients in salad dressings and sauces.
Milk powder, also called dried milk, is made by evaporating the milk until it is dry, via various processes. Powdered milk has a long shelf life and does not need refrigeration. The powder is soft and cream colored and can be used in exactly the same way that regular milk is used for cooking and baking. It is not generally used as a drink.
Parsley is an aromatic herb with slender green stalks and sturdy, small green leaves. There are two common types of parsley, curly parsley and Italian flat leaf parsley. Italian parsley has a more robust flavor than curly parsley. Though each type tastes green, spicy and vegetal, with a hint of bitterness. Parsley is used as and herb to flavor dishes and as a garnish.
Garlic is used in cuisines around the world and is extremely popular for its depth of flavor. The garlic bulb forms underneath the soil and is harvested once it reaches maturity. The bulb typically has thin, dry, white and flaky skin, surrounding the individual cloves. Often there are 10-12 cloves to a bulb/head of garlic. The cloves are cream colored with a strong smell and flavor that is spicy and sharp. Garlic takes on a nutty flavor in addition, when cooked. It is used in countless dishes, sauces, breads and more.
Water is a substance and chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is clear, fluid, flavorless and odorless. Water is a necessity in nearly every aspect of life, including cooking, baking and hydrating the human body. Water can be served as a cold beverage, or at any temperature comfortable to the mouth and skin.
