W

Won ton; wonton
A Chinese specialty similar to an Italian Ravioli. These bite-size dumplings consist of paper-thin dough pillows filled with a minced mixture of meat, seafood and/or vegetables. The dough comes prepackaged as Won Ton Skins. Won tons may be boiled, steamed or deep-fried and served as an appetizer, snack or side dish, usually with several sauces. They are, of course, intrinsic to Won Ton Soup.

Wood ear
A variety of mushroom also known as cloud ear, tree ear (the larger, thicker specimens) or silver ear (albinos). They have a slightly crunchy texture and delicate, almost bland flavor that more often than not absorbs the taste of the more strongly flavored ingredients with which they are cooked. Asian markets sell fresh and dried wood ears, the latter of which, except for the albino varieties, look like brownish-black, dried chips. Upon reconstituting they increase 5 to 6 times in size and resemble the shape of an ear. Wood ears are popular in Stir-Fries and soups.

Woodruff
Often described as having the smell of freshly cut hay, woodruff is the leaf of a ground cover native to Europe. Its most famous use is as a flavoring in may wine, a white-wine punch popular in Germany. In Germany and Austria, woodruff is also used to season sausages, candies and many cooked dishes. Live plants are available through many nurseries, and the dried herb is available in gourmet stores and through mail order. Also called sweet Woodruff.

Worcestershire Sauce
Though this Condiment was originally developed in India by the English, it takes its name from the fact that it was first bottled in Worcester, England. It’s a thin, dark, rather piquant sauce used to season meats, gravies, soups and vegetable juices, and as a table condiment. It’s also an essential ingredient in the popular Bloody Mary cocktail. Worcestershire’s formula usually includes garlic, soy sauce, tamarind, onions, molasses, lime, anchovies, vinegar and various seasonings. It’s widely available in supermarkets.

Wormwood
A bitter, aromatic herb used in flavoring Absinthe, some wines such as vermouth, and occasionally (but not in the United States) in cooking. In the past, wormwood was popular as a medicinal herb for colds, stomach problems and rheumatism. Because the flavoring oil extracted from this herb is potentially poisonous, the United States has banned preparations (such as absinthe) made with an excessive amount of it.

Wurst
Any sausage, all 1500 types of which are required by law to be 100% meat with no fillers.