Straw mushroom. A sought-after species of edible mushroom cultivated throughout East and Southeast Asia and used extensively in Asian cuisines. Straw mushrooms are grown on rice straw beds and picked immature, before the caps open.
A commune of Côte-de-Nuits in Burgundy mainly producing red wines and containing the renowned vineyard, Clos de Vougeot, grand cru.
Vouvrays differ and may be sweet or full-bodied and dry.The sweet wine has a golden colour and is vigorous, fruity and fresh, made from Chenin Blanc, and are among the great sweet wines of the world. The dry and semi dry wines are rich and intense. There is also a fruity sparkling Vouvray which may mature for a few years, quite uncommon for a sparkling wine. The sweet wines may also age well for decades, if correctly stored. The label may not make it clear whether you are getting sweet, dry or sparkling wine. As is often the case in the region, the production is heavily at the mercy of the climate and poor years can produce only a meagre harvest. In the best years, however, the town produces some of the world's longest-lasting wines, offering botrytized sweet wines, sharp dry wines, and an increasing amount of sparkling wine. The annual harvest is one of the latest in France, usually occurring in November. The wine received its own appellation in 1936, specifying that the wines must consist almost entirely of Chenin Blanc, but in theory can also contain a small amount of the Arbois grape.
St George's mushroom. A small white or cream mushroom that appears in parts of Europe around St George's Day on 23rd April.
A name for wrasse in Normandy. Ballan wrasse. A very bony fish which provides good flavour for fish soups.
Brioche. A rich, bready bun made from yeast dough with eggs and butter. Brioches are often cooked in a characteristic fluted mould. Brioche dough is used for breads, cakes and for enclosing other ingredients which may be either sweet or savoury. Italian brioches may be filled with jam (US: jelly) or custard or plain.
