Beetroot
This vegetable is a good tonic food for health. It contains carbohydrates, mainly in the form of sugar, and it has a little protein and fat.The sweet, earthy flavour of beetroot and gaudy colour also work well in cakes.Try beetroot in soups. Recipes made using Beetroot ...
Basil leave
A versatile and widely used aromatic herb. Basil is an annual plant that is easy to grow from seed but is very sensitive to cold. The plant grows well in warm climates and is widely used throughout southern Europe, particularly the Mediterranean, and in many parts of Asia. There are numerous species of basil; some have scents reminiscent of pineapple, lemon, cinnamon or cloves; others have beautiful purple leaves. The variety...
Banana
Bananas are widely grown across the tropics and sub-tropics. They grow in hands (bunches) of five to 20 fingers (bananas). Depending on the variety, they can be small or long, thin- or thick- skinned, with yellow or red skins. They are picked when two-thirds ripe and slowly convert their starch to sugars as they’re shipped. Recipes made using Banana ...
Bamboo shoot
These conical, creamy-coloured tender shoots are cut from the bamboo plant when they’re about 15cm/6in long. They have a mild flavour and crunchy texture and are widely used to bulk out Asian stir-fries, soups and other dishes. Recipes made using Bamboo shoot ...
Baking powder
A raising agent used in cakes, biscuits and breads. Commercial baking powder contains bicarbonate of soda and tartaric acid (with a dried starch or flour to absorb any moisture during storage). When these chemicals become moist and warm they react and give off carbon dioxide, which causes foods to rise. Recipes made using Baking powder ...
Apple
There are two types of apples: eating apples and culinary (cooking) apples. Eaters are sweeter, with the most interesting flavour, as their sugars are balanced by an edge of acidity. They hold their shape well in cooking, making them the best choice for a French apple tart, a tart tatin or other continental recipes, which developed in countries without a tradition of culinary apples. Examples of popular eaters are: Granny...