Rabbit - The domesticated members of the rabbit family (a rodent relation) have fine-textured flesh that is almost totally white meat. The rabbit is plumper and less strongly flavored than their wild counterparts. A mature rabbit averages between 3 and 5 pounds. The best will be young and weigh between 2 and 2 1/2 pounds, and should have light-colored flesh. These are the most tender and mild-flavored and can be prepared in any manner suitable for young chicken (such as frying, grilling, or roasting).

Uneven sorting or poor manufacture; the opposite of the term even, this is never a good attribute.

Sabayon - [sah-bah-YAWN] French for "Zabaglione." Suet - [SOO-iht] is raw beef or mutton fat, especially the hard fat found around the loins and kidneys. Suet has a melting point of between 45° and 50°C. (113° and 122°F.), and congeals between 37° and 40°C. (98.6° and 104°F).

Tabasco Sauce - [tuh-BAS-koh] A trademarked name held by the McIlhenny family since the mid-1800s, describing a fiery sauce made from Tabasco peppers (barrel-fermented for 3 years), vinegar, and salt. The Tabasco pepper is very hot, small red Chile that originated in the Mexican state of Tabasco. The word Tabasco means "damp earth." Tabasco Sauce adds zest to numerous dishes as well as being integral to the famous Bloody Mary cocktail.

Udo - [OO-doh] A Japanese vegetable that belongs to the Ginseng family. Its tender stalks resemble Asparagus but have a light Fennel flavor. Udo is used raw in salads or lightly cooked in soups and other dishes.

Vacherin - [vash-RAN] A dessert consisting of several crisp Meringue rings stacked on top of each other and placed on a meringue or pastry base. The rings may be made with almond paste. This "container" may be filled with ice cream or crème Chantilly and or various fruits.

Waffle - [WAHF-ful] The honeycombed surface of this crisp, light bread is perfect for holding pockets of syrup. Waffles are made by pouring a light batter onto one side of a waffle iron, a special hinged cooking utensil with two honeycombed patterned griddles. The second side is closed over the batter and the waffle is cooked until browned and crisp.

Xanthan Gum - [ZAN-thuhn] Produced from the fermentation of corn sugar, xanthan gum is used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in foods such as dairy products and salad dressings.

Yabby - Australian for "crayfish."

Za'atar - A pungent, strongly aromatic herb with soft, dark green leaves. It's native to the Middle East and tastes like an amalgam of marjoram, oregano and thyme. In Arabic, za'atar means "thyme," and is also called Syrian marjoram.