Pronunciation can be tricky and many of us can go our whole lives mispronouncing basic words. As I eat my way through the world, I don't want to be the one who is still asking their server for a knee-coise salad and a glass of pee-not nor. Even though I am a restaurateur, I can be deceived because the mispronunciation of many words is so much more common than the correct version, like in the case of broo-sheh-ta (properly pronounced broo-skeh-tah) . Let's try to clear up some of the chaos right here and now:
1. Biscotti (bee-SKOH-teeh) listen…
An Italian biscuit traditionally made with anise.
2. Bruschetta (broo-SKEH-tah) listen…
Grilled bread rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil and topped with a variety of foods.
3. Charcuterie (shahr-KOO-tuhr-ee) listen…
A collection of meats; sausage, ham, cold cuts. etc…
4. Chipotle (chi-poht-lay) listen…
A smoked, hot chili pepper primarily used in Mexican dishes.
5. Coq au vin (coke-oh-veh) listen…
A popular French dish made with Chicken and red wine.
6. Crudite (crew-da-tay) listen…
An appetizer of raw vegetables served with a dip.
7. Espresso (es-press-o, no ex) listen…
A strong coffee brewed by using water under pressure.
8. Gnocchi (NYOH-kee) listen…
Dumplings usually made of flour, semolina, potatoes and ricotta.
9. Gyro (YEER-oh) "
A Greek sandwich usually made of sliced lamb and served in a pita.
10. Herb (erb) listen…
A part of a plant used for flavoring, food, medicine or perfume.
11. Mole (MOH-lay) listen…
A Mexican sauce that combines chocolate with chili.
12. Muffuletta (Muh-fuh-leh-tuh) listen…
A sandwich made with Italian bread and stuffed with cold cuts, olives, cheese and vegetables.
13. Nicoise (nee-swaahz) listen…
A type of salad usually consisting of french beans, olives and anchovies.
14. Panzanella (panz-a-nella) listen…
An Italian salad typically made with tomatoes, garlic, basil and chunks of bread soaked in dressing.
15. Pappardelle (pa-par-deh-lay) listen…
A flat noodle, about 2/3 inch wide.
16. Parmesan (par-ma-zan) listen…
A hard, dry and sharp Italian cheese.
17. Pinot noir (pee-no nwahr) listen…
A red wine made with the black pinot noir grape.
18. Paella (pie-aye-ya) listen…
A Spanish dish made with saffron, rice, meat, seafood and vegetables.
19. Prosciutto (proh-SHOO-toe) listen…
An Italian cured ham.
20. Quinoa (keen-wah) listen…
A healthy whole grain, that contains more protein than any other.
21. Sriracha (See-rah-cha) listen…
A spicy hot sauce from Thailand.
22. Tapenade (ta-pa-nad) listen…
A paste typically made with olives, capers, anchovies, garlic and olive oil.
23. Turmeric (ter-me-rick) listen…
A yellow spice used to flavor such dishes as curry and rice.
24. Vichyssoise (vee-she-swaaz) listen…
A thick, creamy potato soup that is served cold and flavored with leeks, onions and cream.
25. Worcestershire (woos-ter-sheer) listen…
A sauce of soy, vinegar and spices.
