A pungent, dark, salty paste of shrimps or prawns which are salted, fermented in the sun and subsequently mashed and then dried in the sun. It is then sold in small blocks and is ubiquitous in the cooking of south east Asia. Local names throughout south east Asia and India have small variations in spelling, so it may be found masquerading as balacan, balachan, balachon, balachaun, balachaung, belacan, blacan, blachan, blachon, blachaun, blachaung, blakhan, and so on. On the other hand, it is also known independently as kapi, nga-pi, terasi and trasi. There are many other names for this extremely popular condiment, which lends a much more attractive flavour to dishes than would be imagined.
Made to a recipe created by Lord Bradenham in 1781, the ham is cured for a fortnight in molasses, juniper and spices, and then matured for another three months. The result has a distinctive black rind and slightly sweet and malty flavour.
A drum of semihard blue cheese made with cow's milk. It has a firm, creamy, deep yellow-orange paste with blue-green veining and a speckled natural brushed rind. It is an English cheese made in Leicestershire and invented in Scotland. This cheese is made with pasteurised milk and contains 50% (35%) fat. The curds are unpressed. It is made with vegetable rennet so is suitable for vegetarians. It may be found weighing 7.5 kg (17 lb). Affinage is from 10-12 weeks. Primarily a dessert cheese with a mild savoury flavour, it crumbles easily, making it good for cooking as well.
A variety of damson or plum producing very dark blue fruits with intense flavour. It is not actually clear whether this is a plum or a damson. Monty Don believes it to be a variety of plum. It has been known since the 16th Century.
A variety of squash with a green skin with white stripes and spots. It has stringy flesh with a slight cinnamon flavour which is used for making preserves.
An experimental cultivar of tomato smuggled out of Siberia to Canada by a Russian traveller. Is capable of setting fruit at OºC. It is a determinate variety with a compact plant which produces medium-sized fruits weighing 85-110 g (3-4 oz).
