Food & Cooking
Instructions: From Italian classics to American favorites, test your knowledge of cuisine, cooking, and food origins.
- 1.
What country is pizza originally from?
AGreeceBFranceCItalyDSpain - 2.
What is the main ingredient in guacamole?
AAvocadoBOnionCTomatoDLime - 3.
Which spice is known as the most expensive in the world by weight?
ASaffronBVanillaCCardamomDCinnamon - 4.
What type of pasta is shaped like little bow ties?
AFarfalleBRigatoniCPenneDFusilli - 5.
What is the primary grain used to make traditional Japanese sake?
AWheatBBarleyCCornDRice - 6.
What cooking technique involves briefly plunging food into boiling water, then into ice water?
ABlanchingBPoachingCSearingDBraising - 7.
Which American city is famous for its deep-dish pizza?
ANew YorkBPhiladelphiaCDetroitDChicago - 8.
What vitamin is citrus fruit, like oranges and lemons, particularly high in?
AVitamin CBVitamin DCVitamin B12DVitamin A - 9.
Which herb is the key ingredient in traditional Italian pesto sauce?
ABasilBRosemaryCParsleyDOregano - 10.
What is the term for cooking meat slowly in its own fat?
AConfitBRoastingCGrillingDBraising - 11.
Which country is the world's largest producer of coffee?
ABrazilBColombiaCVietnamDEthiopia - 12.
What is the name of the classic French soup made with onions and topped with melted cheese on bread?
AFrench onion soupBVichyssoiseCBouillabaisseDPotage - 13.
What is the main ingredient in hummus?
ALentilsBChickpeasCWhite beansDBlack beans - 14.
What does 'al dente' mean when cooking pasta?
ADrowned in sauceBCold and crispyCOvercooked and softDFirm to the bite - 15.
Which nut is used to make marzipan?
AAlmondBWalnutCCashewDHazelnut
Answer Key
Modern pizza originated in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century. The classic Margherita pizza was reportedly created in 1889 in honor of Queen Margherita of Italy.
Guacamole is made primarily from mashed avocados. The dish originated with the Aztecs in Mexico and the name comes from the Aztec word 'ahuacamolli.'
Saffron is the most expensive spice because each flower produces only three tiny threads, and it takes about 75,000 flowers to produce one pound of saffron.
Farfalle is the bow tie-shaped pasta. The name comes from the Italian word for 'butterflies.' It originated in the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy.
Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting polished rice. It has been brewed in Japan for over 2,000 years.
Blanching is used to partially cook vegetables, loosen skins on tomatoes or peaches, and preserve color and texture. The ice water stops the cooking process immediately.
Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza, which features a thick, buttery crust pressed into a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce on top.
Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which supports the immune system. British sailors were once called 'limeys' because they ate limes to prevent scurvy on long voyages.
Traditional pesto alla genovese is made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It originated in Genoa, in the Liguria region of Italy.
Confit is a French cooking method where meat (traditionally duck or goose) is slowly cooked in its own fat at a low temperature, resulting in incredibly tender meat.
Brazil has been the world's largest coffee producer for over 150 years, producing about one-third of the world's coffee supply.
French onion soup (soupe a l'oignon) features caramelized onions in beef broth, topped with a crouton and melted Gruyere cheese. It dates back to at least the 18th century.
Hummus is made primarily from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It has been eaten in the Middle East for centuries.
Al dente is Italian for 'to the tooth,' meaning pasta should be cooked until it is still slightly firm when bitten. This is considered the ideal texture in Italian cooking.
Marzipan is a confection made from ground almonds, sugar, and sometimes egg whites. It has been popular in European baking and candy-making since the Middle Ages.