Glossary of terms

Piri-piri are small, extremely hot chilli peppers originating from Africa, also known as peri-peri or African bird's eye chilli. Their heat ranges from 50,000 to 175,000 Scoville heat units. Piri-piri is the base of the eponymous sauce made from the peppers, garlic, lemon juice, and oil. The most famous dish is piri-piri chicken, the national dish of Mozambique and a hugely popular meal in Portugal.

Pirozhki are small Russian baked or fried buns made from yeast dough, stuffed with meat, cabbage, potatoes, mushrooms, or fruit.

Pischinger is a layered wafer cake or slice that became an eponym based on the Pischinger torte of the Viennese confectioner Oscar Pischinger. It consists of thin wafers (typically Carlsbad wafers) bound together with a rich chocolate-hazelnut praline filling, with the whole usually coated in chocolate glaze. The Original Pischinger Torte was first created in 1881 and soon made the company famous across practically the entire former Austria-Hungary, including the Czech and Slovak lands. It is therefore not a sponge cakelet and is definitely not fat-free. on the contrary, the hazelnut-chocolate filling is markedly rich and sweet.

Pistachios are small nuts originating from the Middle East, prized for their distinctive green colour and sweet nutty flavour. The pistachio tree is small and bears clusters of fruits with hard shells that crack open when ripe. Pistachios are enjoyed roasted and salted as a snack, but are also a key ingredient in confectionery and ice cream making. They contain healthy fats, protein, fibre, vitamin B6, and antioxidants. The main producers are Iran, the USA, and Turkey.

Pita is a traditional flatbread originating from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. During baking, a characteristic pocket forms inside, which is filled with various fillings such as falafel, hummus, grilled meat, or vegetables. Pita is baked at high temperatures, causing the dough to puff up quickly and create a cavity. It is a staple of street food in many countries from Greece through Turkey to Lebanon. Pita is also served as a side with dips, soups, and grilled dishes.

Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is an exotic fruit of a cactus plant native to Central and South America. It features a striking pink or yellow skin with scales and white or red flesh full of tiny black seeds. The taste of pitaya is mildly sweet and refreshing, reminiscent of a blend of kiwi and pear. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. Pitaya is eaten fresh, added to smoothies, salads, and desserts. It is a popular ingredient in smoothie bowls.

Pizza is an iconic Italian dish of yeasted dough spread with tomato sauce and topped with cheese and various ingredients, baked at high temperature.

Pljeskavica is a traditional Balkan grilled patty made from a blend of minced meats, typically beef, pork, and lamb. It originates from Serbia, where it is considered the national dish. The meat is seasoned with onion, garlic, paprika, and spices, shaped into large flat discs, and grilled over an open flame. It is served in lepinja bread with onion, kajmak, and ajvar. Pljeskavica is a popular street food across the Balkans and comes in many regional variations including a cheese-stuffed version.

Plum butter is a traditional thick fruit spread made by slow-cooking plums without added sugar for several hours. The plums are stirred continuously until the water evaporates and the mixture develops a dark brown color and caramelized flavor. Plum butter has a distinctive sweet-and-sour taste with spicy undertones. It is an essential part of Central European cuisine, used as a filling for pastries, dumplings, and pockets. Authentic plum butter contains no added sugar or thickeners, relying on the natural pectin and sugars of the fruit.

Poaching is a gentle cooking technique in which food is cooked in liquid at a temperature of around seventy to ninety degrees Celsius, just below the boiling point. The liquid should not bubble vigorously but only move gently. The most commonly poached foods include eggs, fish, poultry, and fruit. Water, broth, wine, or syrup are used as the poaching liquid. Poaching preserves the delicate texture and natural flavor of ingredients better than boiling. The technique is popular in French cuisine and requires precise temperature control.

Pomegranate is an exotic fruit originating from the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Inside its tough skin lie hundreds of ruby-red seeds surrounded by juicy pulp with a sweet-sour taste. It is extremely rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. It is used in salads, desserts, sauces, and beverages. Pomegranate juice is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

Poppy seeds come from the opium poppy, an annual plant widely cultivated in Central Europe for its tiny seeds that are an essential ingredient in Czech and Central European cuisine. The Czech Republic is among the world's largest poppy producers. Poppy seeds have a delicate nutty flavor and are primarily used in sweet dishes, poppy seed cakes, buns, rolls, and strudels. Ground poppy seeds mixed with sugar and butter form the classic poppy seed filling.