Glossary of terms

Beef Stroganoff is strips of beef tenderloin braised in a creamy sauce with onion, mushrooms, and mustard, served with rice or noodles.

Beef tartare is a Czech dish of raw ground beef seasoned and served with toasted bread and garlic.

Beef tenderloin is considered the most refined and tender cut of beef. It comes from the inner part of the rear loin along the spine, where the muscle is minimally exercised, making it exceptionally tender. Tenderloin is ideal for quick cooking methods such as steaks, beef tartare, or carpaccio. In Czech cuisine, it is the foundation of svíčková na smetaně, one of the most celebrated national dishes served with bread dumplings and cranberries.

Beef topside is a quality cut of beef from the hind leg, specifically from the inner part of the thigh. It is among the juiciest and most tender beef cuts thanks to its fine fat marbling. Topside is suitable for various cooking methods, most commonly prepared as roasts, braised dishes, or sliced into steaks. When properly cooked, the meat is tender and succulent. In Czech cuisine, topside is traditionally used for svickova cream sauce, roast beef, or braised beef. It is a rich source of protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Beef Wellington is a luxurious British dish of beef fillet wrapped in mushroom duxelles and crispy puff pastry.

A beefsteak is a thick slice of beef, usually from premium cuts such as tenderloin, ribeye, or T-bone. It is prepared by grilling, pan-searing, or sous vide to various degrees of doneness from rare to well done. Beefsteak is a symbol of American and British cuisine and is considered one of the most luxurious meat dishes.

Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world, produced by fermenting cereal malt, most commonly barley, with hops and yeast. Czech beer is world-renowned, especially Pilsner-style lagers. In cooking, beer is used as an ingredient in batters, sauces, stews, and marinades. Beer batter gives fried foods a crispy coating, while dark beer adds caramel depth to braised meats. The Czech Republic boasts one of the longest brewing traditions in the world.

Beetroot is a root vegetable with a distinctive dark red color and sweet, earthy flavor. It belongs to the amaranth family and is grown worldwide. The bulb is rich in betalain, a natural pigment with antioxidant properties. Beets contain nitrates that support blood circulation and lower blood pressure.

Beleše are traditional Slovak fried pastries made from yeast dough filled with cottage cheese, plum jam, or walnuts. They are prepared mainly in Slovakia during carnival season and other festivities. The dough is rolled out, filled, and deep-fried in hot oil until golden. Beleše have a characteristic flat shape and are filled before frying.

Beluga refers to the most precious and luxurious type of caviar from the beluga sturgeon, which inhabits the Caspian and Black Seas. Beluga caviar features large, delicate grains of silvery-gray color with a creamy, buttery taste. It is considered the absolute pinnacle among caviars and its price can exceed thousands of euros per kilogram.

Bibimbap is a Korean dish of rice served with vegetables, meat, egg and gochujang paste. Everything is thoroughly mixed together before eating.

Bifana is a simple Portuguese sandwich with thin slices of marinated pork in a crusty roll, a beloved street food throughout Portugal.