French and Italian Food Vocabulary
Haute cuisine: High-quality, sophisticated cooking that originated in the upper class of French society.
Peasant food: Simple, traditional dishes that were originally consumed by the lower class in France.
Nouvelle cuisine: A modern style of French cooking that emphasizes lighter dishes with fewer heavy sauces and more natural flavors.
Entrée: The first course of a French meal, usually consisting of a soup or a small savory dish.
Main course: The second course of a French meal, often involving a meat, fish, or vegetable dish with side dishes.
Dessert: A sweet course that concludes a French meal, often featuring pastries or other confections.
Pizza: An Italian dish consisting of a flatbread topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and various other ingredients, originating from Naples.
Pasta: A staple of Italian cuisine, made from dough and formed into various shapes, often served with sauce.
Antipasto: An Italian starter including a variety of cold dishes such as cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Risotto: An Italian rice dish cooked to a creamy consistency with broth and often flavored with meat, fish, or vegetables.