Glossary of terms

Chilaquiles are fried corn tortilla chips simmered in tomato or green chilli sauce, served with cream, cheese and a fried egg on top.

Chili pepper is a small hot pepper used to season dishes around the world. Its heat comes from capsaicin, a compound that stimulates taste receptors and creates a sensation of warmth. Chili peppers vary in shape, color, and heat intensity measured on the Scoville scale.

Chilli con carne is a spicy stew of minced beef, beans, tomatoes, and chilli peppers from Tex-Mex cuisine. This dish is prepared by slow simmering, seasoned with cumin, garlic, and oregano. Served with rice, tortillas, sour cream, and grated cheese. Popular worldwide as a hearty meal.

Chilli pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum with a hot taste caused by capsaicin. There are hundreds of varieties differing in shape, colour, and heat measured on the Scoville scale. The best known include jalapeño, habanero, and cayenne. They are used fresh, dried, ground, or as sauces. They add bold spicy aroma to dishes. Capsaicin boosts metabolism and releases endorphins.

Chives are a small herb from the allium family, related to onions and garlic. They have a mild onion flavour and are used fresh as a garnish on soups, salads, omelettes, and spreads. Chives are harvested by cutting the green hollow stems, which regrow quickly. They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals. Chives are easy to grow in the garden or in a pot on a windowsill, making them one of the most accessible fresh herbs.

Chocolate is a food product made from cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and sugar. There are three basic types: dark, milk, and white chocolate. Dark chocolate contains the most cocoa solids and is prized for its intense flavor. Cocoa beans originate from tropical regions of Central and South America, where the Maya and Aztecs used them as currency.

Chocolate fondant is a dessert with a soft, molten center that flows out when cut open. It is made from high-quality dark chocolate, butter, eggs, and a minimal amount of flour. The key to a perfect fondant is precise baking time, the outer layer must be set while the center remains liquid. Fondant is served warm, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. This dessert is an icon of French pastry tradition.

Cholent is a traditional Jewish stew prepared by slow cooking overnight. It was created in response to the prohibition of cooking during Shabbat, so it is prepared in advance and left to simmer for many hours. The base consists of beans, potatoes, meat, barley, and spices. The result is a hearty and nutritious dish with rich flavor. Cholent is widespread in Ashkenazi cuisine worldwide, with many regional variations.

Chorba is a term for thick, richly seasoned soups typical of Balkan and Turkish cuisines. The name comes from the Turkish word çorba, which spread across the Balkans. Chorba can be meat-based, vegetable, or legume-based, always with a rich flavor and thick consistency. The most famous varieties include tripe chorba and tarhana chorba.

Chorizo is a Spanish spicy cured sausage made from pork with paprika, which gives it a characteristic red colour and bold flavour.

Chouriço is a traditional Portuguese sausage made from pork seasoned with paprika, garlic and red wine, smoked over oak wood.

Chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish prepared in a wok with vegetables, meat, and soy sauce. The dish is quick to make and full of flavour.