The term terrine is used in the USA, but it has different meanings. Primarily, a terrine is a French dish of layered ground meats, vegetables, and seasonings, packed tightly into a loaf shape and cooked in a water bath. It is similar to a pâté but has a coarser texture. The term terrine also refers to the deep rectangular or oval dish the food is cooked in, usually made from earthenware, china, or pottery.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Definition | A term used to describe both a piece of kitchenware and a type of food dish that is made in the mold |
Kitchenware | A deep-sided mold used for baking, steaming, and freezing foods |
Food dish | A mixture of chopped meat, fish, or vegetables cooked and served in a terrine |
Mold | Typically made of earthenware, china, pottery, stainless steel, aluminium, enameled cast iron, or ovenproof plastic |
Shape | Oval or rectangular |
What You'll Learn
- The word terrine is borrowed from French, meaning a clay dish; that which is cooked in the dish
- A terrine is a type of kitchenware, a deep-sided mould used for baking, steaming and freezing
- A terrine is also a type of food dish, cooked and served in the mould
- Terrines are usually served cold or at room temperature
- Popular ingredients for a terrine include game meat, fish, and vegetables
The word terrine is borrowed from French, meaning a clay dish; that which is cooked in the dish
The word "terrine" is borrowed from French, meaning "a clay dish; that which is cooked in the dish". In traditional French cuisine, a terrine is a loaf of forcemeat or aspic cooked in a covered pottery mould (also called a terrine) in a bain-marie. The mould is typically deep and rectangular or oval, with straight sides and a tight-fitting lid. In the past, the mould was often made in the shape of an animal, usually depicting the contents of the terrine.
The word "terrine" has two definitions. Firstly, it refers to the cooking vessel itself. Secondly, it refers to the dish that is cooked and served in these containers. The food is constructed in loaf-shaped layers of meat or fish, and sometimes vegetables, which are served cold either in the terrine or sliced.
Terrines are usually served cold or at room temperature. Most contain a large amount of fat, and many are made with game meat such as pheasant and hare. They are often served with gherkins, cornichons, chutney, relish, crusty bread, and butter.
The English derivative of the word "terrine" is "tureen", which is still used today to describe a cooking pot.
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A terrine is a type of kitchenware, a deep-sided mould used for baking, steaming and freezing
A terrine is a type of kitchenware—a deep-sided mould used for baking, steaming, and freezing. The word "terrine" comes from the French word "terre," meaning "earth," and refers to the earthenware mould typically used for this dish.
The kitchenware itself is a deep, rectangular, straight-sided dish with a tight-fitting lid, usually made from ceramic, glass, or cast iron. In traditional cooking, the dish would often be made in the shape of an animal, usually depicting the contents of the terrine. For example, the mould for a rabbit terrine might be in the shape of a rabbit.
Terrines are commonly used to cook casseroles, pâtés, meat loaves, and vegetable dishes. The deep sides of the mould allow for the creation of distinct layers of different ingredients, each enhancing the flavour of the surrounding layers. When sliced, the various layers are displayed, creating a visually appealing dish.
In addition to the mould, the term "terrine" also refers to the food cooked or served in it. This dish is typically a loaf made of layered ground meats, organ meats, vegetables, and seasonings, packed tightly into the shape of the mould and cooked in a water bath. Modern variations may exclude meat or animal fat, instead using meat-like textures and fat substitutes such as mushrooms and pureed fruits or vegetables. The food is then served cold or at room temperature, often in thick slices, allowing the layers to be easily seen and enjoyed.
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A terrine is also a type of food dish, cooked and served in the mould
A terrine is a French dish that is cooked and served in a mould, or 'terrine'. The mould is typically a deep, rectangular or oval dish with a lid, and can be made from a variety of materials including cast iron, ceramic, glass, stainless steel, aluminium, porcelain, terracotta, silicone, and ovenproof plastic.
The food dish itself is made up of layers of meat, fish, or vegetables, and is cooked in a water bath. The ingredients are packed tightly into the mould to form the shape of a loaf, and the dish is usually served cold or at room temperature.
Terrines are often served in thick slices, accompanied by gherkins, cornichons, chutney, relish, and crusty bread. Sometimes, the terrine is served in its cooking pot, with diners helping themselves to chunks of the dish.
The beauty of a terrine is its versatility. It can be made with a wide range of ingredients, from simple, rustic combinations to more elaborate, haute-cuisine creations. The only limitation is the imagination of the cook.
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Terrines are usually served cold or at room temperature
A terrine is a French dish that is usually served cold or at room temperature. The term "terrine" has two definitions: the deep rectangular or oval cookware used to make the dish, and the dish itself.
The dish is a loaf of forcemeat or aspic, similar to a pâté, that is cooked in a covered pottery mould (also called a terrine) in a bain-marie. Modern terrines do not necessarily contain meat or animal fat, but they do contain meat-like textures and fat substitutes, such as mushrooms and pureed fruits or vegetables high in pectin.
Terrines are typically served in thick slices on a charcuterie board, along with a variety of cured meats, sausages, cheeses, and
Terrines can also be served in their cooking pot with a knife for diners to cut out chunks and spread onto bread.
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Popular ingredients for a terrine include game meat, fish, and vegetables
A terrine is a French dish that is often confused with pâté. The word "terrine" is derived from the French word for "large earthenware pot", and it refers to both the dish that is baked and the food itself.
The most popular ingredients for a terrine are game meats, such as venison, boar, and rabbit, and pork. These meats are tender, cook quickly, and become more flavourful once cooked. Game meats also lend themselves well to spices like juniper, mace, and allspice. Beef and chicken are less commonly used in terrines as they are denser and require more seasoning.
Terrines can also be made with fish and seafood, such as smoked salmon. These terrines require distinct flavours and judicious use of herbs and seasonings to prevent them from becoming bland.
Vegetables are also a popular ingredient in terrines, with zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, and mushrooms being common choices. Vegetarian terrines can be made but require careful layering of vegetables with strong and delicate flavours. Roasting or char-grilling vegetables before using them in a terrine can add a strong, smoky flavour and extra texture.
Herbs, spices, and alcohol can also be used to season a terrine. A popular spice blend used in terrines is quatre épices, a French spice mix made from ground pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and dried ginger (sometimes substituted with cinnamon). Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, parsley, and sage are also commonly used, especially in country terrines.
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Frequently asked questions
A terrine is a French dish that is cooked and served in a covered pottery mold. It is a mixture of chopped meat, fish, or vegetables.
A terrine and a pâté are two different dishes, although they are often confused with each other. A pâté is usually smoother and lighter, while a terrine is more textured and robust. Pâtés are usually made of duck or chicken livers, while terrines typically contain game meat or pork.
There are two types of terrine: the kitchenware and the food dish. The kitchenware is a deep-sided mold used for baking, steaming, and freezing foods. The food dish is a mixture of chopped meat, fish, or vegetables cooked and served in the mold.