Char(r) usually refers to the Arctic char, an uncommon freshwater fish of the same family as salmon, trout and related to grayling and the vendace or powan. It is found in rivers and lakes of northern Europe, north western United States and Canada and in the Great Lakes. They are migratory fish, like salmon and trout. They have a steely blue-grey back with salmon-pink speckles on the sides and a red underbelly. They have sweet firm flesh which varies from white to pink, dependent upon its own diet, and with good flavour, some say better than trout, being something like a cross between trout and salmon.
Urbasa is a round, semi-hard cheese made with milk from Laxta and Carranzana sheep and similar to Aitzogorri. It has a smooth, dense, ivory white paste and a hard, pale yellow rind. It is made on farms in the Basque country. This cheese is made from them middle of July at is at its best from winter to summer. It contains 45% fat (dry). The curds are uncooked and pressed and matured in wooden moulds in natural caves. It is available made with vegetarian rennet in which form it is suitable for vegetarians. Dimenisions are 20 cm (8") in diameter and 8 to 12 cm (3-4½") in height. It weighs between 2.5 and 3 kg (5½ - 6 ½lbs). There is a smoked version which has a darker, almost orange rind. (DOC).
Capercaillie. Black cock. Wood grouse. This large, grouse-like game bird is found in coniferous woodland hills of Scandinavia and Baltic countries, Scotland, the former Yugoslavia and Central Europe with some in the Pyrenees. They are usually found on the floors of coniferous forests during summer and up in the trees in winter.
Utensil. Generally cutlery used in the kitchen in the preparation of a meal.
