Pesco-vegetarian

A pesco-vegetarian is a vegetarian who includes fish in their diets, but no other forms of meat.

Seitan

Seitan is also called wheat meat. This meat substitute is made of wheat gluten which has been simmered and marinated in soy sauce and spices. Used in Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, it is available in Asian food markets as mien chung or yu mien chung.

Silken Tofu

Silken tofu is a white, easily digestible curd made from cooked soybeans. Silken tofu is Japanese-style and milder in flavor and higher in protein than regular, Chinese-style tofu. Silken tofu is available firm or soft in 10 1/2-oz. aseptic packages.

Soy Yogurt

Soy yogurt is a nondairy yogurt made from soy milk and active bacteria cultures.

Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are seeds from the pine cones of certain evergreens. Their mild, pinelike flavor is enhanced by toasting. Also called Indian nuts, pignolias or pinons.

Rice Milk

Rice milk in a nondairy milk that may be used just like cow´s milk, over cereal or in recipes. Rice milk tastes much like skim dairy milk. It comes in a variety of flavors.

Scallions

Scallions are also known as green onions or spring onions. These are young tender onions which have a mild flavor. Both the stems and tops are edible.

Vegetarian

A vegetarian is a person who eats no meat, fish, or poultry and no by-products from those sources.

Maple Sugar

Maple sugar is maple syrup which has been dried and crystallized into sugar.

Saffron

Saffron is a pungent, aromatic, brick-red spice from threadlike stigmas of a purple crocus flower. Buy threads rather than ground saffron, which has much less flavor.

Miso

Miso is a salty, flavorful, fermented paste made of soybeans and salt; used as a seasoning.

Somen Noodles

Somen noodles are white or beige Japanese noodles made of wheat flour. They are thinner than udon noodles, and therefore cook faster.

Yuba

Yuba is made by lifting and drying the thin layer formed on the surface of cooling hot soymilk. It has a high protein content and is commonly sold fresh, half-dried and dried. In the U.S., dried yuba sheets (called dried bean curd, bean curd sheets, or bean curd skin) and u-shaped rolls (called bamboo yuba or bean curd sticks) can be found in Asian food stores.

Mirin

Mirin is a mild, sweet seasoning liquid made from fermented sweet rice. It may be used to replace white wine or sherry in recipes.

Tahini

Tahini is similar to peanut butter. This paste is made from sesame seeds. It is frequently used in Middle Eastern dishes, such as hummus.

Tamari

Tamari is a naturally fermented soy sauce.

Natto

Natto is made of fermented, cooked whole soybeans. Because the fermentation process breaks down the beans´ complex proteins, natto is more easily digested than whole soybeans. It has a sticky, viscous coating with a cheesy texture. In Asian countries natto traditionally is served as a topping for rice, in miso soups and is used with vegetables. Natto can be found in Asian and natural food stores.

Nori

Nori is paper-thin, crispy sheets of pressed sea vegetable. Usually used for Japanese sushi rolled around rice or crumbled as a garnish. Rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, iron and minerals.

Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a small seed used as a grain, but is essentially a fruit. It was first cultivated by the Incas and has a nutty flavor. This seed contains all essential amino acids. It should be rinsed thoroughly before cooking.