Culinary Definitions (Part 8):

Tapenade as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“Hailing from France’s Providence region, tapenade is a thick paste made from capers, anchovies, ripe olives, olive oil, lemon juice, seasonings and sometimes small pieces of tuna. It’s used as a condiment and served with crudités, fish, meat, etc.”

Tempura as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“A Japanese specialty of batter-dipped, deep-fried pieces of fish or vegetables. Tempura, which is usually accompanies by soy sauce, can be served as an hors d’oeuvre, first course or entrée.”

Texmati Rice as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“An aromatic rice that’s a cross between American long-grain rice and Basmati. It has more flavor and fragrance than its American parent and less than Basmati. Texmati comes in both white and brown versions, with the brown having a nuttier nuance than the white.”

Tiramisu as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“The translation for tiramisu is “carry me up” (or “pick me up”) , and many assume the unspoken continuation must surely be “to heaven.” Tiramisu is an airy mélange of sponge cake or ladyfingers dipped in a coffee-Marsala mixture, then layered with mascarpone and grated chocolate. Although tiramisu is sometimes referred to as an Italian trifle, its texture is much lighter than that dessert. A dark brown, Italian liqueur with a pronounced coffee-almond flavor.”

Tofu as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“Also known as soybean curd and bean curd, custardlike white tofu is made from curdled soymilk, an iron-rich liquid extracted from ground, cooked soybeans. The resulting curds are drained and pressed in a fashion similar to cheesemaking. The firmness of the resulting tofu depends on how much whey has been extracted. Tofu has a bland, slightly nutty flavor that gives it a chameleonlike capability to take on the flavor of the food with which it’s cooked. It’s texture is smooth and creamy yet it’s firm enough to slice. Tofu comes in regular, low-fat and nonfat varieties, and in extra-firm, firm and soft styles. There’s also a silken tofu (named for its silky-smooth texture) that comes in soft, regular and firm styles. Tofu is available in natural food stores, Asian markets, and most supermarkets. The cakes are sold in a variety of forms including the following: packed in water in sealed plastic containers; vacuum-packed in plastic without water; aseptically sealed in packaging that may be kept unopened at room temperature for up to 8 months; in bulk in large, open crocks of water; and freeze-dried, a product that must be reconstituted with boiling water. Tofu, which is sometimes fortified with calcium, is very perishable and should be refrigerated for no more than a week. If it’s packaged in water, drain it and cover with fresh water. All tofu should be stored covered with water, which should be changed daily. Tofu can be frozen up to 3 months. Freezing will change the texture, making it slightly chewier. The versatile tofu can be sliced, diced or mashed and used in a variety of dished including soups, stir-fry dishes, casseroles, salads, sandwiches, salad dressings and sauces. It’s easy to digest, low in calories, calcium and sodium, high in protein and cholesterol-free- all of which makes it one of today’s most healthful foods.”

Tomato as defined in Food Lover’s Companion
“Like the potato and eggplant, the tomato is a member of the nightshade family. It’s the fruit of a vine native to South America. By the time European explorers arrived in the New World, the tomato had made its way up into Central America and Mexico. The Spanish carried plants back home from Mexico, but it took some time for tomatoes to be accepted in Spain because it was thought that- like various other members of the nightshade family- they were poisonous. Some tomato advocates, however, claimed the fruit had aphrodisiac powers and, in fact, the French called them pommes d’amour, “love apples.” It wasn’t until the 1900s that the tomato gained some measure of popularity in the United States. Today this fruit is one of America’s favorite “vegetables,” a classification the government gave the tomato for trade purposes in 1893. Dozens of tomato varieties are available today- ranging widely in size, shape and color. Among the most commonly marketed is the beefsteak tomato, which is delicious both raw and cooked. It’s large, bright red and slightly elliptical in shape. Globe tomatoes are medium-size, firm and juicy. Like the beefsteak, they’re good both raw and cooked. Another variety is the plum tomato (also called Italian plum and Roma), a flavorful egg-shaped tomato that comes in red and yellow versions. Grape tomatoes are baby romas. The medium-size green tomato has a piquant flavor, which makes it excellent for frying, broiling and adding to relishes. The small cherry tomato is about 1 inch in diameter and can be red or yellow-gold in color. It’s very popular- both for eating and as a garnish- because of its bright color and excellent flavor. The yellow cherry tomato is slightly less acidic than the red and therefore somewhat blander in flavor. Though it’s long been popular raw in salads, the cherry tomato is gaining favor as a cooked side dish, quickly sautéed with herbs. The yellow pear tomato is used in the same manner as the cherry tomato. Currant tomatoes are the tiniest of the species, measuring only about 0.7 inches in diameter and weighing about 1/8 ounce. They come in both red and yellow varieties and have a sweet, crisp flesh. Finding a niche in some produce markets are several unique looking and flavorful heirloom tomato varieties. Among the more interesting are the purple tomatoes (such as Purple Calabash, Brandywine, and Cherokee Purple), the skins of which can range in color from a dusky pink with purple shoulders to a dusky rose-purple. Depending on the variety, the flesh color can vary from crimson to a brownish purple-pink. Fresh tomatoes are available year-round, with the peak season from June through September. The most succulent, flavorful tomatoes are those that are “vine-ripened,” usually only available in specialty produce markets. Unfortunately, such tomatoes are very perishable, which is why supermarkets almost always carry tomatoes that have been picked green and ripened with ethylene gas or in special warming rooms. Such tomatoes will never have the texture, aroma and taste of the vine-ripened fruit. Choose firm, well-shaped tomatoes that are noticeably fragrant and heavy for their size and give slightly to palm pressure. Ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature and used within a few days. They should never be refrigerated- cold temperatures make the flesh pulpy and kills the flavor. Unripe fruit can be ripened by placing it in a pierced paper bag with an apple for several days at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or set in the sun. Tomato skins can be removed by blanching. Sun-dried tomatoes are, as the name indicates, dried in the sun (or by other, artificial methods). The result is a chewy, intensely flavored, sweet, dark red tomato. Sun-dried tomatoes are usually either packed in oil or dry-packed in cellophane. The dry-packed type benefits from soaking in oil or other liquid before use. Sun-dried tomatoes add their rich flavor to sauces, soups, sandwiches, salads and myriad other dishes. Canned tomatoes are available in a various forms including peeles, whole, crushed and those with herbs such as oregano and/or basil added. Tomato paste, which is available in cans and tubes, consists of tomatoes that have been cooked for several hours, strained and reduced to a deep red, richly flavored concentrate. Canned tomato puree consists of tomatoes that have been cooked briefly and strained, resulting in a thick liquid. Tomato sauce is a slightly thinner tomato puree, often with seasoning and other flavorings added so that it is ready to use in various dishes or as base for other sauces. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and contain appreciable amounts of vitamin A and B, potassium, iron and phosphorus. A medium tomato has about as much fibers as a slice of whole-wheat bread and only about 35 calories.”