Glossary of food terms: B

Buckwheat

A type of grain used extensively in Eastern European cooking. Buckwheat flour is traditionally used to make blinis - small pancakes eaten with caviar. In Italy it's sometimes used to make gnocchi; buckwheat pasta is the basis of the famous pizzocheri, a northern Italian dish traditionally made with potatoes, cabbage and cheese.

Buckwheat can be purchased from larger supermarkets or health-food shops.

• Buckwheat pancakes with apple compote and toffee sauce
• Blinis