Culinary Glossary

Oven: a dry-heat chamber that bakes, gratins and browns cakes, breads, pies, meats and veggies evenly.

Flambeing sets alcohol alight to perfume the dish: learn when to use it and key safety tips.

Dietary fiber supports fullness and gut health. Meet top sources, kitchen uses and easy ways to add it daily.

Fermenting means resting dough so it rises: learn timing, temperature and the mistakes that kill yeast.

Feijoada: what it is, classic ingredients, how to serve it complete with collards and farofa, plus light and vegan versions.

Farofa: what it is, characteristics, variations and fun facts about Brazil's crunchy toasted-flour side dish.

What wheat flour is, types, uses in baking and pastry, substitutions and recipes.

Spinach: what it is, how to choose and wash it, uses in sautés, pasta and pies, swaps and tips to keep it green.

Escondidinho: layers of filling hidden under cassava mash and browned, a classic with dried beef.

Empadão: a large Brazilian savory pie with buttery crust and creamy filling, a classic for parties and family meals.

Browning gives food a golden, flavorful surface through heat. Learn the right stage, how to sear, and variations.

Dulce de leche: what it is, spoon-stage vs. firm-stage, uses in fillings and toppings, and easy swaps.

Cuca: German-born cake with fruit and crumb topping, star of southern Brazil's colonial cafés.

Table cream: what it is, carton, can and fresh types, stroganoff and dessert uses, swaps.

Boiling: cooking food in hot liquid, from pasta to soups. Key points, uses and variations.

Vegan cooking means no animal ingredients. Learn the staples, classic swaps and dishes.

Coxinha: Brazil's famous fried chicken croquette — potato dough, crispy coating, variations.

Confit: slow-cooking in fat or syrup until meltingly tender — duck, garlic, and tomato technique.

Mushrooms: what they are, types (champignon, shiitake, shimeji), how to clean and sauté, uses and swaps.

Chocolate, made from cacao, goes from cakes to party sweets. Meet the types, kitchen uses and how to swap them.