Mise en place your vocabulary with these culinary gems.
The specific pulverization level of coffee beans—basically the coffee equivalent of T-shirt sizes, because apparently 'fine,' 'medium,' and 'coarse' weren't enough ways to obsess over bean particles. Get your grind size wrong and your morning becomes a bitter tragedy.
A large, aggressive waterfowl with a hankering for bread and an attitude problem; also premium protein that earned a chapter in culinary history books everywhere.
A transparent botanical sauna designed to trap heat and coddle delicate plants while you play God with climate control. Also the cockpit cover on planes for pilots who like feeling like astronauts.
A game bird with a plump body and feathered legs, prized for hunting and eating; also used as a verb meaning to complain or grumble in a whining manner.
A bright, zesty Italian garnish made from minced parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. It's basically the flavor equivalent of a wake-up slap.
Grain that has been ground into flour, particularly for milling; also used metaphorically to mean material or subject matter useful for a particular purpose or argument. The phrase 'grist for the mill' means something that can be put to good use.
Small, soft Italian dumplings made from potatoes, flour, and eggs, typically served with sauce and cheese. They have a light, tender texture and are a staple of Italian cuisine.
The intense pleasure and satisfaction you feel after eating really good guacamole—basically a food-related moment of pure bliss. It's serious enough that it can overflow onto nearby people (metaphorically, hopefully).
A small, immature cucumber pickled whole, typically used as a condiment or garnish. Also used colloquially for anything small or insignificant, and in London slang for a cylindrical glass skyscraper building.
A bar that serves elevated pub food, essentially a restaurant that smells like beer. Fine dining masquerading as casual.