This page is under construction. As I add more recipes to this site, I'll add definitions of ingredients used to this page.
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Agave nectar: A liquid sweetener that comes from the agave plant -- that's right, the same plant used to make tequila. It's supposed to be less fattening than sugar because it's lower on the glycemic index. It's been gaining popularity, so you might see it in your local supermarket. I know people who even get it in bulk at a warehouse store like Costco or BJ's.
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Coconut Milk: On this blog, if I refer to coconut milk, I'm talking about the liquid that is pressed from shredded coconut meat. It usually comes in a can in the Asian section of your market. Please, don't use the watery liquid that comes out of a coconut. It's potable, it's tasty, and you can use it in the event that you need an emergency plasma infusion. However, it will not work in my recipe! Additionally, there is a new product on the market called So Coconut, usually found in the refrigerated section near the soymilk. This is not the same thing as coconut milk (at least not the kind of coconut milk I'm talking about). One last note -- you might want to check your can of coconut milk before you buy it to make sure it doesn't have any added sugar. I didn't know that, and I was sorely disappointed when the sweetened milk threw my recipe way off.
Coconut Oil: Unrefined (virgin, raw, cold-pressed) coconut oil is rich in lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid found in breastmilk. Coconut oil also has anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. It's solid at room temperature, but it melts if you hold it in your hand. My local grocers sell it, but I find that I get a better deal through Nutiva.
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Earth Balance: This is basically a vegan margarine. You can probably find it at your local grocery store.
Ener-G Egg Replacer: This is a commercial product that can be used to replace eggs in baking. You can usually find it at health food stores.
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Five-Spice Powder: A Chinese seasoning made from peppercorns, star anise, fennel seeds, cumin, and cloves. You can purchase this at an Asian grocery store.
Flax Seeds: These small seeds look like ticks, which is unfortunate because they have a nutty, earthy flavor and are super healthful. They're high in fiber and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. In the past, it seemed like you could only get them at health stores, but now, even my A&P and Shop Rite have them. I usually buy them in bulk from a site called Honeyville Grain.
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Orange-flower water: A clear, scented water that is distilled from the blossoms of bitter orange trees. It is used in French, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines. It has a very delicate citrusy, flowery aroma. You can find it at Middle Eastern (or sometimes Indian) grocery stores.
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Smart Balance: This is basically a vegan margarine. You can probably find it at your local grocery store.
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White Whole Wheat Flour: Not to be confused with white flour (which does not contain the wheat germ or bran), this flour comes from white spring wheat instead of red hard wheat. However, it contains the germ and bran, so it's a whole wheat flour. This flour does not contain as much gluten as red wheat, and it's not quite as bitter. As a result, I like it for baking things like cookies because I think it gives me a softer, sweeter end product.
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