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BACCALA: See SALT COD, DRIED.
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BAGOONG: Salty fermented fish paste used in or to accompany many Philippine dishes. Bagoong-alamang is a similar paste of salted and fermented shrimp. Both are sold in jars or cans in Oriental groceries.
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BAKLAVA: The most famous dessert of Greece, made of layers of phyllo pastry interspersed with chopped nuts and topped with a honey flavored syrup.
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BAMBOO LEAVES, DRIED: Used in Asian cooking to wrap ingredients for steaming. They need to be reconstituted before use.
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BAMBOO SHOOTS: Ivory-colored, conical-shaped shoots of tropical bamboo, usually about 3 inches across and 4 inches long. Large wedges packed in water are best. After opening, drain and store in fresh water in a covered jar in the refrigerator, changing the water daily. Can be kept for about 10 days. Kohlrabi or celery hearts will approximate the texture but not the flavor.
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BANANA LEAVES, FRESHGREEN: Rarely available in the United States. Some Puerto Rican markets may carry them in December and January. Will keep indefinitely if stored in the freezer after wrapping in foil. Substitute parchment paper.
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BASIL: Basic herb in the Mediterranean. Buy it fresh or dried, whole at the supermarket. Or grow your own. There are also special fresh basils used in some Asian cuisines that can be found in Oriental markets.
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BAY LEAVES: Basic to the kitchen for good soups, stews, et cetera. Buy whole or dried or, if your area is not too cold, grow a bay laurel tree.
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BAY RUM: Evergreen tree related to myrtle and allspice, native to the West Indies. The spirit distilled from its leaves is used in cosmetics. The small dark berries, also called malagueta pepper, are used in a way similar to ALLSPICE.
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BEAN CURD, FRESH: Custardlike squares of pressed pureed soybeans. Sold fresh by the cake, usually ½ to ¾ inch thick and 3 inches square, in Oriental specialty stores. The Chinese variety is generally firmer in texture than the Japanese and more suitable for deep-frying. To store the cake, drain, cover with fresh water, refrigerate in a covered jar for up to 2 weeks, changing water daily. No substitute.
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BEAN PASTE, YELLOW (thick bean sauce; yellow bean sauce): Viscous, pungent sauce of yellow beans, salt and water, used to flavor and preserve food. Sold canned in Oriental grocery stores. Keeps for months after opening when stored tightly covered in the refrigerator.
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BEAN SPROUTS: Young sprouts of the mung bean, 1½ to 2 inches long. Sold fresh by weight and in 4- to 8-ounce cans. The fresh ones have parchmentlike husks that must be removed before using. Refrigerate fresh sprouts in water in a covered jar for up to 2 weeks. After opening canned sprouts, drain and store in fresh water in a covered jar in the refrigerator-they will keep for 2 to 3 days. No substitute.
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BEAN-CURD, SKIN: Thin, stiff sheets of dried bean curd. Sold by weight in Chinese specialty stores (5 to 6 sheets weigh about 1 ounce). Needs no refrigeration. No substitute.
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BEANS (frijoles): Islanders use the term peas (or pois) for both beans and peas of various kinds. For instance, the Haitian "riz et pois" is a dishof rice and red kidney beans. Most of the beans used in these recipes are dried and can be found easily in Latin American markets. The especially popular red kidney beans are also generally available in all U.S. groceries. Dried beans should be stored in a bag or can with a tight lid in a cool, dry place for no longer than two years. Following are descriptions that enable the cook to identify the various kinds of beans called for in the recipes in AllEasyRecipes.com.
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BEEF STOCK: Canned consomme or bouillon is little more than salt. Real beef stock is rich in flavor and inexpensive to make from fresh bones. Please make your own (see our recipe.)
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BENI SHOGA: Red pickled ginger root, available bottled in Japanese markets. Used slivered or sliced as flavoring agent or garnish. Once opened, will keep refrigerated for several weeks if bottles are reclosed.
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BESAN: Flour made by grinding dried chick-peas.
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BIRD'S NEST: Fragments of a translucent, gelatinous material with which Asian swiftlets coat their nests. Available in Chinese specialty stores, usually in 4- to 8-ounce packages. Needs no refrigeration. No substitute.
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BITTER MELON (balsam pear): Small, pale green, tapered melon 6 or 7 inches long with furrowed or bumpy skin. Slightly bitter, but refreshingly cool. Sold fresh by weight or in cans in Chinese groceries.
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BLACK BEANS (frijoles negros, turtle beans or black turtle soup beans): Small, flat, less than ½ inch long. Charcoal black with white spot.
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BLAFF: Fresh fish poached in a clear stock seasoned with hot peppers. Traditional in the French islands.
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BOK CHOY: A crisp, mild-tasting variety of Chinese cabbage that grows somewhat like celery but has 12- to 16-inch - long smooth white stalks and large dark-green leaves. Sold fresh in Oriental specialty stores. Substitute celery cabbage or Swiss chard.
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BOUREKI (bourekakia): Greek phyllo puffs made with various fillings.
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BREADFRUIT: Fruit of a tree native to Pacific islands, but also grown in the West Indies. It may weigh up to 10 pounds, and has a warty or prickly hide. When used slightly immature as a starchy vegetahle, its texture and flavor resemble that of grainy bread. It is always cooked before eating. Occasionally available fresh in mainland markets.
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BROWN BEANS: Smaller and rounder than American beans, these are cooked up to make a fantastic Scandinavian dish. Find in specialty stores or Scandinavian markets.
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BROWN-BEAN SAUCE: Thick sauce made from fermented yellow beans, flour and salt. Sold in cans of 1 pound or more in Chinese specialty stores. After opening, it keeps for months refrigerated in a covered jar. Substitute additional salt.
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BRYNZA: A brined white sheep's-milk cheese resembling Greek FETA. Available in cheese stores.
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BULGUR WHEAT: Processed wheat for Middle Eastern dishes. Three grinds: fine, medium, and coarse. Find in Middle Eastern stores or in fancy supermarkets or gourmet stores.
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