Ingredients from A to Z

Chicken livers are small offal cuts of dark red colour with a pronounced, slightly metallic flavour and a tender, creamy texture. They are among the most nutritionally rich foods available, an excellent source of iron, vitamin A, B vitamins (especially B12), and folate. In the kitchen, they are pan-fried in butter with onions, used in pâtés, spreads, sauces, or risotto. The key to good flavour is brief cooking, overcooked livers become tough and bitter. Before preparation, it is advisable to rinse them, remove any fat membranes, and trim any traces of the bile duct, which can taste unpleasantly bitter.

Chicken is the world's most popular poultry meat, prized for its light colour, mild flavour, and incredible versatility in the kitchen. It is available in many forms, whole bird, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as phosphorus and selenium. Compared to red meat, it is lower in fat and easy to digest. Chicken suits virtually every cooking method, boiling, roasting, grilling, braising, or frying. It is a cornerstone of global cuisines, from Asian curries and Mediterranean roasts to homemade chicken stock and quick weekday dinners.

Chicken meatloaf is a meat dish prepared from minced chicken mixed with eggs, onion, spices and other ingredients according to the recipe. It belongs to traditional home cooking and offers a lighter, healthier alternative to classic meatloaf made from pork or minced beef. It is baked in the oven in a loaf tin, where it develops a delicious golden crust. The result is juicy, tender meat that works beautifully as a main course with a side dish, but also cold in sandwiches. Chicken meatloaf is popular for its easy preparation, accessible ingredients and versatile use. Vegetables, cheese or herbs can be added to the recipe to enrich the flavour.

Chicken quarters are portions of chicken consisting of the thigh and drumstick together, essentially the lower half of the chicken divided into four pieces. They are among the juiciest and most flavourful parts of the bird, as dark meat contains more fat and connective tissue than breast meat. They are excellent for oven roasting, slow braising, grilling, and cooking in broths. Thanks to their higher fat content, they retain moisture and flavour well even during longer cooking. They work well in marinades, curries, paprikash, or simply seasoned and pan-fried. They are more affordable than chicken breasts and very rewarding to cook with.

Chicken salami is a meat product made from chicken meat, classified as a popular cold-cut deli product. Compared to traditional pork salamis, it offers a lighter option with lower fat content and a delicate, mildly smoked flavour. It is made by mincing chicken meat with spices, salt and preservatives, then filled into casings and subjected to heat treatment and smoking. It is suitable for cold platters, sandwiches, as an ingredient in pasta salads or as a quick snack. Available in various variants, with paprika, garlic, herbs or olives. When choosing, it is advisable to check the ingredient list and salt content.

Kuřecí klobása je masný výrobek vyrobený převážně z kuřecího masa, oblíbený pro svou jemnou chuť a nižší obsah tuku ve srovnání s tradičními vepřovými klobásami. Výroba zahrnuje mletí kuřecího masa se kořením, solí a dalšími ingrediencemi, které se poté plní do střívek a tepelně zpracovávají. Skvěle chutná vařená, grilovaná nebo smažená. Používá se jako rychlá svačina, ingredience do teplých hot dogů nebo jako součást grilovacího menu. Oblíbená je mezi dětmi díky své jemné chuti. Dostupná je v různých variantách, uzená, s bylinkami nebo s česnekem. Měla by se skladovat v chladu a má kratší trvanlivost než sušené klobásy.

Chicken seasoning is an aromatic blend of herbs and spices specially designed to flavour chicken. It typically contains salt, paprika, garlic, onion, turmeric, thyme or rosemary, and black pepper. This combination enhances the natural taste of chicken, giving it a golden colour and a rich, appetising aroma. The blend is suitable for whole roast chicken, thighs, breasts, and wings, whether in the oven, on the grill, or in a pan. The meat can be seasoned just before cooking, or left to marinate in the fridge overnight for a more intense flavour. This seasoning is a popular choice for easy and delicious chicken dishes.

Chicken stock is a concentrated broth made by simmering chicken meat, bones, and vegetables. It serves as a base for soups, sauces, risottos, stews, and as a cooking liquid for rice or pasta. It gives dishes a deep, savoury flavour and a characteristic golden colour. In shops you can find it in the form of cubes, paste, liquid concentrate, or dried powder. A homemade version has a fuller flavour and less salt than commercial products. When choosing a ready-made stock, pay attention to the salt and MSG content, which can vary considerably between brands.

Kuřecí stehna patří mezi nejoblíbenější části kuřete, ceněná pro své šťavnaté, tučnější a chutnější maso ve srovnání s prsy. K dispozici jsou jako stehenní kosti, paličky nebo celé nohy, stejně jako bezkostné varianty. Ideální jsou na grilování, pečení v troubě, dušení a přípravu omáček, snášejí delší časy vaření bez vysychání. Výborně absorbují marinády a koření, což je činí oblíbenými v asijské, středomořské a americké BBQ kuchyni. Kousky s kostí dodávají intenzivnější chuť, zatímco bezkostná stehna jsou pohodlnější na rychlou přípravu. Jsou dobrým zdrojem bílkovin, vitamínů B, železa a zinku.

Chicken wings are a popular cut known for their crispy skin, modest amount of meat, and exceptional ability to absorb marinades and sauces. They are most commonly prepared by roasting, grilling, or deep frying. The iconic American Buffalo wings, served with hot sauce and blue cheese dip, have made this cut famous worldwide. Wings work brilliantly as a starter, snack, or main course. When cooked at high heat, the skin turns beautifully golden and crispy. They are a great source of protein and a staple at barbecues and sports events. Marinating in yoghurt, citrus juice, or Asian-style sauces brings out outstanding flavour.

Chickpea flour is a flour made by grinding dried chickpeas, characterized by a mild nutty flavor and a pale yellow color. It is naturally gluten-free, making it popular in gluten-free and vegan cooking. It is a rich source of protein, fiber, and minerals. In the kitchen, it can be used to thicken soups and sauces, as the base for pancakes (such as Ligurian socca or Indian besan chilla), in batters for frying, or as a binder in veggie burgers and falafel. It withstands high temperatures without losing nutritional value. In baking, it is often combined with other flours. Available in health food stores and regular supermarkets.

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are a legume originating from the Middle East and Mediterranean region, and one of the most widely cultivated and nutritious crops in the world. They have a mild, nutty flavor and a firm, creamy texture. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, zinc, and folate. Cooked chickpeas are used in soups, stews, salads, and curries. They are the main ingredient in hummus, falafel, and socca. They can also be roasted until crispy for a healthy snack. Available dried or pre-cooked in cans. Dried chickpeas should be soaked overnight before cooking. They are a staple of vegetarian and vegan cuisine worldwide.