Al dente An Italian term literally meaning "to the tooth", in reference to the firm feel of the cooked pasta when bitten.
Alabaster A Shaker dish of mashed potatoes and turnips, name after its silvery white color.
Allspice The dried berry of the pimento tree of the clove family, grown in the West Indies. Reminiscent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combined. Used ground in baked goods, catsup, and pot roast. Used whole in pickling, stews, boiled fish, soups, and sauces.
Allumette potatoes Potatoes cut like large match sticks, typically for making french fries.
Almond paste A mixture of ground almonds, sugar, and glucose.
Amandine Prepared with or garnished with almonds.
Amaretti Italian almond-flavored, meringue-like cookies
Amaretto An Italian almond-flavored liqueur made from apricot pits.
Anaheim chiles Mild, long green chiles named for the area near Los Angeles where they were once cultivated. Available canned (whole or chopped) or fresh.
Ancho chiles Dried Poblano chiles that range in color from dark red to almost black; moderately hot and smoky. Pasilla chiles are a good substitute.
Angel food cake An extremely light cake made with egg whites, sugar, and flour and typically baked in a tube pan.
Anglaise The French term for English.
Anise The spice of the celery family responsible for the flavor of licorice; also used in coffee cakes and cookies. Grown in Spain, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
Antioxidants Natural or synthetic substances that inhibit free radicals (unstable, highly reactive forms of oxygen) from damaging tissue cells. Found naturally in the body and some foods.
Apple pie spice A seasoning blend consisting of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Arborio rice A short grain white rice from Northern Italy. Typically used for risotto, because it absorbs flavors well as it cooks, yet remain somewhat firm in the center. Spanish Valencia rice is a good substitute.
Armagnac An elite member of the brandy family known for its distinct, unpolished flavor with hints of prune.
Arrowroot A white, powdery thickener extracted from rhizomes. Finer than flour and preferable to cornstarch because it provides a clear finish. Originally used by American Indians to heal arrow wounds.
Arteriosclerosis The formation of plaque-like deposits that harden and narrow the arteries, interfering with blood flow.
