Food & Drinks word list

A sauce made mainly from garlic, oil, and often egg yolk.

“The fries came with a garlic aioli on the side.”

A small salty fish commonly used as a strong-flavored ingredient.

“One anchovy was enough to change the flavor of the entire pizza.”

A thistle-like vegetable whose flower head and heart are eaten.

“The food round landed on artichoke, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

A peppery leafy green also known as rocket.

“The server said arugula once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A green spring vegetable with spears.

“The asparagus went untouched, again.”

A green fruit with a large pit.

“The avocado was ripe for nine minutes.”

Salted cured pork, usually fried.

“He guards the bacon like a dragon.”

A dense ring-shaped bread roll that is boiled briefly before baking.

“As soon as bagel appeared in the dinner-table round, everyone started silently counting letters.”

A long, narrow French loaf with a crisp crust.

“As soon as baguette appeared in the dinner-table round, everyone started silently counting letters.”

Relating to balsamic vinegar, a dark sweet-tart vinegar traditionally associated with Italy.

“She drizzled balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes.”

A square or round piece of fried dough, often dusted with powdered sugar.

“The dinner-table round group recognized beignet, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

A South Asian rice dish cooked with spices, aromatics, and usually meat or vegetables.

“Someone used biryani correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

Crisp Italian cookies that are baked twice.

“Biscotti became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

A small soft quick bread.

“He dunked the biscuit past the point of return.”

A small round blue-purple berry with a sweet-tart flavor.

“The dinner-table round group recognized blueberry, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

Chewy tapioca pearls commonly added to bubble tea.

“Someone used boba correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

A Provençal French seafood stew flavored with herbs, vegetables, and broth.

“Someone used bouillabaisse correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

A clear seasoned broth.

“The soup is just bouillon and confidence.”

A French style of slow cooking, especially beef braised with red wine and aromatics.

“Bourguignon was the one word everyone remembered after the dinner-table round.”

A green vegetable with a dense head.

“Nobody ordered the broccoli.”

A rich baked chocolate dessert, usually cut into squares.

“Brownie turned the dinner-table round into an unexpectedly competitive spelling moment.”

A late-morning meal combining breakfast and lunch.

“Nothing heals last night like brunch and selective memory.”

Toasted bread with toppings.

“The bruschetta came out cold.”

A Korean dish of thinly sliced marinated meat cooked over heat.

“They ordered bulgogi for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

A cooked patty served in a bun.

“The burger fell apart on the first bite.”

A soft Italian cheese with a mozzarella exterior and creamy center.

“Burrata was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

A flour tortilla wrapped around fillings such as beans, rice, meat, cheese, or vegetables.

“Everyone in the dinner-table round knew burrito, but spelling it aloud was another story.”

A dairy spread churned from cream.

“Movie theater butter counts as a beverage.”

A flavor or candy made mainly from brown sugar and butter.

“The server said butterscotch once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

An Italian-style dish of meat simmered with tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables.

“Everyone in the dinner-table round knew cacciatore, but spelling it aloud was another story.”

Large pasta tubes usually filled and baked with sauce.

“They ordered cannelloni for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

An Italian pastry made from crisp fried shells filled with sweetened ricotta cream.

“Cannoli sounded easy in the dinner-table round until somebody had to spell it without autocorrect.”

A type of melon with sweet orange flesh.

“The server said cantaloupe once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

Espresso topped with steamed milk foam.

“He ordered a cappuccino after midnight, fearless.”

Sugar cooked until brown and chewy.

“The caramel welded his teeth shut.”

A vegetable with a compact white flower head surrounded by green leaves.

“The host repeated cauliflower twice in the dinner-table round before anyone wanted to go first.”

A corkscrew-shaped type of pasta.

“The food round landed on cavatappi, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

A food made from grains, often eaten with milk as breakfast.

“He poured cereal into the bowl before realizing there was no milk.”

A dish of raw seafood cured in citrus juice and mixed with seasonings.

“The ceviche was served cold with lime and cilantro.”

A selection of cured meats.

“The charcuterie board vanished.”

A thick cut of beef tenderloin, often served with a sauce.

“They ordered chateaubriand for two at the French restaurant.”

A food made from pressed milk curds.

“The fancy cheese disappeared in minutes.”

A herb-based sauce commonly served with grilled meat.

“They spooned chimichurri over the grilled steak.”

A smoked and dried jalapeño pepper.

“They ordered chipotle for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

A sweet food made from cacao, sugar, and often milk or other ingredients.

“Someone used chocolate correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

A highly seasoned sausage associated with Spanish and Latin American cuisines.

“Chorizo became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

A dish centered on sauerkraut, often served with sausages or other meats.

“Choucroute became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

A thick soup, often made with seafood, potatoes, or corn.

“Chowder was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

An Italian white bread with a crisp crust and an airy, open interior.

“The room knew exactly what ciabatta meant during the dinner-table round and still hesitated on the spelling.”

The fresh leaves and stems of the coriander plant, used as an herb.

“Cilantro turned the dinner-table round into an unexpectedly competitive spelling moment.”

An aromatic spice from tree bark.

“Add cinnamon to the batter.”

A baked French dessert of fruit set in a flan-like batter.

“The food round landed on clafoutis, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

Powder made from roasted cacao beans, used in chocolate foods and drinks.

“The dinner-table round group recognized cocoa, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

A brewed drink made from roasted coffee beans.

“By the end of the dinner-table round, coffee was still the word people were debating.”

Sweet foods such as candies, chocolates, and other sugary treats.

“The shop's confectionery case was filled with chocolates and caramels.”

An expert judge in matters of taste.

“He fancies himself a coffee connoisseur.”

A small sweet baked treat.

“The last cookie caused a diplomatic incident.”

Tiny granules of steamed semolina, common in North African cuisine.

“The couscous soaked up all the sauce.”

A flaky crescent-shaped pastry.

“She said croissant with a full accent.”

A small piece of toasted or fried bread used in salads or soups.

“They had eaten crouton before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

A long green salad vegetable.

“The cucumber water fooled no one.”

A small individual cake baked in a paper or foil cup.

“The dinner-table round table recognized cupcake instantly and still could not agree on the spelling.”

A savory dish seasoned with a blend of spices, often served with rice or bread.

“Someone confidently said curry in the dinner-table round and immediately got challenged on the spelling.”

A creamy preparation made by cooking milk or cream with eggs.

“Custard became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

A sweet fried or baked dough pastry, often ring-shaped or filled.

“Someone used doughnut correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

Young green soybeans, usually boiled or steamed and served in their pods.

“The dinner-table round group recognized edamame, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

A filled pastry turnover commonly stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables, or other ingredients.

“As soon as empanada appeared in the dinner-table round, everyone started silently counting letters.”

Edible snail, especially when prepared as a French dish.

“The food round landed on escargot, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

Strong coffee brewed under pressure.

“She ordered a double espresso.”

A dish of grilled strips of meat or vegetables usually served with tortillas.

“They ordered fajita for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

A fried Middle Eastern patty or ball made mainly from chickpeas or fava beans.

“Falafel was the one word everyone remembered after the dinner-table round.”

A stew of beans and meat associated especially with Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine.

“They ordered feijoada for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

Flat ribbon pasta.

“The fettuccine alfredo undid his diet.”

A flat Italian yeast bread usually baked with olive oil and savory toppings.

“Someone used focaccia correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

A dish of pieces of meat cooked gently in a sauce.

“Fricassee was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

A smooth mixture of chocolate and cream used in desserts.

“Ganache was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

A strong-smelling bulb used in cooking.

“Double the garlic, cancel the date.”

A chilled Spanish soup typically made from tomatoes and vegetables.

“The server said gazpacho once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A smooth mixture of chocolate and hazelnut paste.

“Gianduja became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

Also accepted: gianduia

A mixture of pickled vegetables commonly served as a condiment or relish.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in giardiniera.”

Small dumplings made from potato.

“He burned the gnocchi.”

A blue-veined Italian cheese with a strong flavor.

“They had eaten gorgonzola before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

A baked mixture of oats, nuts, seeds, and sweetener, often eaten as breakfast or a snack.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in granola.”

A firm Swiss cheese known for a nutty flavor and good melting quality.

“Gruyere became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

Also accepted: gruyère

A dip of mashed avocado.

“The guacamole is extra, like him.”

Italian cured pork made from the cheek or jowl.

“The server said guanciale once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A rich butter and egg yolk sauce.

“The hollandaise broke and so did the chef.”

A sweet, milky beverage made from ingredients such as rice, nuts, or seeds and flavored with cinnamon.

“When horchata appeared, the dinner-table round got noticeably louder.”

A creamy spread made mainly from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic.

“Someone mentioned hummus during the dinner-table round, and the conversation took a turn.”

A hot green chili pepper.

“One jalapeno ruined the salsa.”

Also accepted: jalapeño

A Louisiana rice dish cooked with meat, seafood, vegetables, and seasoning.

“The food round landed on jambalaya, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

Pieces of meat or vegetables cooked on a skewer or spit.

“The word kebab sparked the longest debate of the dinner-table round.”

A sweet tomato sauce.

“He puts ketchup on things that should be illegal.”

A Korean dish of fermented vegetables, usually seasoned with chili, garlic, and other spices.

“The dinner-table round group recognized kimchi, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

A tart, lightly fizzy fermented tea drink.

“Someone mentioned kombucha during the dinner-table round, and the conversation took a turn.”

A baked dish of layered pasta.

“Her lasagna has twelve secret layers.”

A coffee drink made with espresso and a large amount of steamed milk.

“The group had heard latte before the dinner-table round, but nobody trusted the spelling.”

A sweet drink made from lemon juice, water, and sugar.

“By the end of the dinner-table round, lemonade was still the word people were debating.”

A leafy salad plant.

“The lettuce wilted overnight.”

A sweet flavoring made from licorice root, also used in candy.

“They ordered licorice for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

Also accepted: liquorice

A small tropical fruit with a rough pink-red shell and sweet translucent flesh.

“Lychee was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

Also accepted: litchi

Short curved pasta tubes.

“Fancy macaroni is still macaroni.”

Espresso marked with a dab of milk.

“Her macchiato order is a paragraph.”

A sweet tropical stone fruit.

“She fought a mango and the mango won.”

A tomato-based sauce flavored with garlic, herbs, and other seasonings.

“The server said marinara once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A sweet paste made mainly from almonds and sugar.

“They had eaten marzipan before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

A rich, soft Italian cream cheese used in desserts and savory dishes.

“The dinner-table round table recognized mascarpone instantly and still could not agree on the spelling.”

Finely ground green tea powder traditionally whisked into water or milk.

“Everyone in the dinner-table round knew matcha, but spelling it aloud was another story.”

A thick cold sauce of egg and oil.

“Hold the mayonnaise.”

Whipped egg whites baked with sugar.

“The meringue deflated in front of everyone.”

A mixture of diced vegetables, usually onion, carrot, and celery, used as a flavor base.

“The soup began with a mirepoix of onion, carrot, and celery.”

A thick dark syrup produced during sugar refining.

“Molasses became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

A large Italian sausage made from finely ground pork and seasonings.

“The food round landed on mortadella, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

A soft mild Italian cheese.

“Fresh mozzarella disappears without witnesses.”

A small baked quick bread.

“The muffin top is the whole point.”

The fleshy fruiting body of certain fungi, many varieties of which are eaten as food.

“Someone mentioned mushroom during the dinner-table round, and the conversation took a turn.”

A smooth-skinned fruit closely related to the peach.

“They ordered nectarine for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

Prepared in the style of Nice, France, often with tomatoes, olives, anchovies, or tuna.

“The cafe served a nicoise salad with tuna, olives, and eggs.”

Also accepted: niçoise

A thin strip of pasta or dough.

“One noodle escaped down his chin.”

A small bitter fruit pressed for oil.

“Every olive on that plate was mine.”

Beaten eggs cooked and folded.

“The omelet became scrambled eggs, emotionally.”

Also accepted: omelette

Small Italian pasta shaped like little ears.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in orecchiette.”

A Spanish rice dish commonly cooked with saffron and combinations of seafood, meat, and vegetables.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in paella.”

A flat cake cooked on a griddle.

“One more pancake, please.”

A Tuscan salad made with bread, tomatoes, and other vegetables.

“The food round landed on panzanella, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

Broad, flat Italian pasta ribbons, wider than fettuccine.

“The host repeated pappardelle twice in the dinner-table round before anyone wanted to go first.”

A red spice made from dried and ground peppers.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in paprika.”

A hard Italian grating cheese.

“He snowed parmesan over everything.”

A mixture or sauce based on parsley and garlic.

“The server said persillade once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A cucumber preserved in brine.

“He drinks the pickle juice, proudly.”

Filled dumplings of Central and Eastern European origin, often stuffed with potato, cheese, meat, or fruit.

“The dinner-table round paused for a second when pierogi showed up.”

A spiky tropical fruit.

“The pineapple debate divides this house.”

A green nut in a split shell.

“Half the pistachio bag would not open.”

A flat bread baked with toppings.

“The last slice of pizza has no friends.”

A round fruit filled with many juicy red seeds.

“Pomegranate was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

Popped corn eaten at the movies.

“He finished the popcorn during the ads.”

A starchy edible tuber used as a common vegetable.

“The room knew exactly what potato meant during the dinner-table round and still hesitated on the spelling.”

A baked snack made from dough, traditionally twisted into a knot-like shape.

“One person at the dinner-table round swore they knew pretzel; the spelling attempt said otherwise.”

Thinly sliced dry-cured Italian ham.

“He pronounced prosciutto three different ways.”

A dark, dense bread traditionally made with rye flour.

“He made the sandwich on dark pumpernickel bread.”

A strongly flavored Italian tomato sauce commonly made with olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies.

“They ordered puttanesca for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

A smooth oval dumpling or shaped portion of a soft mixture.

“Quenelle was easy to spot on the menu and much harder to spell from memory.”

A tortilla folded over melted cheese.

“Split a quesadilla with me.”

A Japanese noodle dish served in a savory broth with various toppings.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in ramen.”

A small red bramble fruit.

“One raspberry costs a dollar now.”

A French stewed vegetable dish.

“He learned ratatouille from the rat movie.”

Small filled pasta parcels, usually served with sauce.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in ravioli.”

A spread made from meat cooked slowly in fat and shredded.

“The server said rillettes once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

An Italian rice dish cooked gradually with broth until creamy.

“Risotto turned the dinner-table round into an unexpectedly competitive spelling moment.”

A costly spice made from the dried stigmas of crocus flowers.

“They had eaten saffron before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

A cold dish of mixed vegetables.

“Ordering a salad here is a cry for help.”

A filling between slices of bread.

“He cut the sandwich diagonally like a hero.”

A thick dry-cured French sausage.

“The food round landed on saucisson, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

A German pot roast made from meat marinated in a sour seasoned liquid.

“They had eaten sauerbraten before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

Finely cut cabbage fermented until sour.

“Sauerkraut became the surprise tiebreaker in the food round.”

Seasoned ground meat in a casing.

“The grill has one job and it is sausage.”

A young onion with a long green stalk and mild flavor.

“The food round landed on scallion, and suddenly everyone wanted to see the menu.”

A layered Italian pastry with a crisp shell and sweet filling, often ricotta-based.

“The host read out sfogliatelle during the dinner-table round, and half the room asked to hear it again.”

Thin slices of seasoned meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit.

“The word shawarma sparked the longest debate of the dinner-table round.”

A frozen dessert made with fruit flavoring, sugar, and a small amount of dairy.

“They ordered sherbet for the table, then realized nobody agreed on how to spell it.”

A blended drink of fruit.

“The smoothie is just cold salad.”

A light baked dish made with beaten egg whites that rises during cooking.

“The chocolate souffle rose beautifully in the oven.”

Also accepted: soufflé

Long thin pasta.

“The spaghetti sauce found his white shirt.”

A leafy green vegetable eaten raw or cooked.

“By the end of the dinner-table round, spinach was still the word people were debating.”

A spicy chili garlic sauce.

“He carries sriracha in his jacket.”

An Italian term used for several foods, including egg-drop soup, shredded cheese, and chocolate-flecked gelato.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in stracciatella.”

A sweet red fruit with tiny seeds on its outer surface.

“The dinner-table round group recognized strawberry, then started arguing about which letters came next.”

A Japanese dish built around seasoned rice, often paired with seafood, vegetables, or egg.

“The room knew exactly what sushi meant during the dinner-table round and still hesitated on the spelling.”

A folded tortilla with a filling.

“Taco night is the only stable tradition.”

Long flat ribbons of Italian egg pasta, narrower than pappardelle.

“The dinner-table round somehow ended with everyone talking about tagliatelle.”

A corn-dough parcel filled with savory or sweet ingredients and steamed in a husk or leaf.

“The server said tamale once, and the whole table immediately started debating the letters.”

A Japanese cooking style using a glossy sweet-savory soy-based sauce.

“They had eaten teriyaki before, but spelling it was a different challenge.”

An Italian dessert layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, and cocoa.

“The dinner-table round moved on, but people were still whispering the letters in tiramisu.”

A juicy red or yellow fruit widely used as a vegetable in cooking.

“Nobody in the dinner-table round questioned the meaning of tomato; the letters were the problem.”

A thin round flatbread.

“The tortilla ripped and everything fell out.”

A bright yellow-orange spice made from the dried root of a plant related to ginger.

“The turmeric stained the cutting board bright yellow.”

A Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce.

“The tzatziki vanished before the pita.”

A flavoring from an orchid pod.

“Vanilla is a personality, apparently.”

A chilled creamy soup usually made with leeks and potatoes.

“The chilled vichyssoise was smooth and creamy.”

A dressing of oil and vinegar.

“The vinaigrette is just fancy salad water.”

A gridded batter cake.

“The waffle iron sees action once a year.”

A large melon with a green rind and sweet, watery flesh, usually red or pink.

“The host repeated watermelon twice in the dinner-table round before anyone wanted to go first.”

A thick food made from fermented milk.

“He eats yogurt every morning.”

Also accepted: yoghurt

A light Italian custard made by whisking egg yolks, sugar, and usually sweet wine.

“Someone used zabaglione correctly during the dinner-table round, then immediately second-guessed the spelling.”

A green summer squash with tender flesh, eaten cooked or raw.

“Zucchini sounded easy in the dinner-table round until somebody had to spell it without autocorrect.”