A List of Ingredients Trivia Quiz

Answer: Durum

The raw materials selected to make pasta go a long way toward determining the texture, the appearance, the colour and, importantly, the flavour of the end product. In comparison to common wheat grains that are used to make bread and a number of Oriental noodles Durum wheat is much harder. This means that when it is put through the milling process it will produce course middlings. These are called semolina. This hardness will then provide a greater stability to the pasta during the cooking process. The additional advantage with Durum is that it produces a much more intense yellow colouring and provides a beautiful nutty flavour. In Italy laws have been passed that insist only Durum is to be used in the production of dried pasta products and to use anything else and pass it off as pasta would be tantamount to fraud.

There are other considerations. The wheat, whilst important, is not the sole determinant of the quality of the pasta. There are other raw ingredients involved as well as the pasta recipe and the actual production process that need to be worked through. All will have some impact on the final result. Also Durum wheat may not suit everyone as it also possesses a higher protein and stronger gluten content.

Answer: Bright red

If you do have a clove tree in your back yard I do hope that you also have a very large back yard. These trees will grow to be between eight to twelve metres in height and spread widely. They bear beautifully large leaves and grow these magnificent clusters of blood red flowers.

The buds of these flowers are, initially, a very pale colour before becoming this rich red hue. As they are dried out they will become a deep dark brown and, fully dried, they are black. The majority of the cloves flavour comes from a chemical called eugenol which is potent to the taste buds and, as a consequence, should only be used in small doses. Cloves will work well with other spices such as cinnamon, star anise and vanilla.

It combines beautifully with red wine, citrus and onion.

Answer: Vine

If you live in a tropical climate and have a fair degree of patience then you can enjoy the benefits of growing your own black peppercorns. Whilst the vine can grow in a broad range of climates it needs the tropical environs to be able to flower and set the fruit. Even in ideal conditions it may take a newly planted vine several years to bear fruit.

The fruit is picked before it has ripened and dried to create the black peppercorn. Alternatively it can be pickled and kept in its green state. If allowed to ripen the fruit will develop a reddish skin which is removed and the fruit is then ground to produce white pepper.

Answer: True

Throughout history the delightfully scented basil has had to endure a chequered reputation. The Greeks & Romans were of the opinion that the plant only ever thrived in areas that were afflicted with poverty and misfortune. To add to this, these sectors would also endure generations of violence and crimes of hate and basil copped the blame. Residents of the island of Crete believed basil to be the symbol of Satan. There was also a belief that the chastity of a person could be tested by having them hold sprigs of the herb as it would (supposedly) wither in the hands of the impure.

Then there's the ridiculous. Writings were retrieved from 16th century England that had doctors claiming that constant exposure to basil's incredible aroma would lead to the growth of scorpions in the brain.

Answer: Broad bean

The Vicia Faba, which is native to the northern regions of Africa and the southern areas of Asia, also goes by the names of field, bell, faba and tie bean. Broad beans are one of the most cultivated crops in the world. They are extremely hardy plants and can be grown in generally unfavourable soil conditions.

This includes heavy clay and areas containing high levels of salt. However, to achieve the best results from growing broad beans it is recommended to plant them in soil rich in loam. Fava, or broad, beans are an Old World crop and there are records that reveal them being a part of the Mediterranean diet prior to 6,000 BC.

The beans are high in protein and are an excellent source of antioxidants, fibre and potassium.

Answer: Snow Pea

Mange-tout is French for "eat all" which is essentially what you do with a snow pea - you eat all of it. The pod, which is flat, is picked before it reaches maturity and then eaten whole, either raw or cooked. The sugar or snap pea also attracts the term and is treated in a similar manner.

The most noticeable difference between a sugar pea and a snow pea is their pod. As mentioned, the snow pea pod is flat whereas the sugar pea, despite not reaching full maturity, is cylindrical. Taking the process of mange-tout a little further are the Chinese who will also add the leaves and stems from new growth peas into dishes such as stir fries.

Answer: It is known as a pole vegetable that will run up poles for support

The runner bean, which was first discovered in the mountains of South America, is generally treated like an annual when considered as a food crop but in reality is a perennial vine. It is a vigorous grower that is incredibly lush and produces such magnificent clusters of bright red flowers that in many parts of the world it is often used as an ornamental, either as a screening plant or to cover structures such as pergolas and arches.

As noted in the question runner beans will twist themselves around poles and posts to provide themselves with support.

They are so effective that tying them with twine or plastic ties is not required. The green pods should be eaten fresh and before they become fibrous. The seeds can be eaten immediately or dried out for later use.

Answer: Shredded

The zucchinis, technically, are the swollen ovaries of the flowers produced by the plant. It is also, technically, a fruit though it is treated and served as a savoury vegetable. It is also extremely versatile. Not only can it be shredded and eaten raw it can be steamed, fried, stuffed and baked and used in soups. Even the flowers can be stuffed (goats cheese is good) and then lightly fried for a delicious meal.

Mucver is basically a pancake made from zucchini, flour and egg that is lightly fried.

Answer: By covering the shoots with soil as they grow

By covering the new shoots with soil farmers are removing the plant's exposure to sunlight. No sunlight, no photosynthesis. No photosynthesis, no chlorophyll and, as a consequence, the plant remains white.

Generally it is the young shoots from the plant that get eaten. Care must be taken by growers not to allow the bud to fern out (open) as the stem will turn woody. To remove the woody portion of a bud, hold it with both hands at either end and gently bend it. The broken off base is then discarded. Alternatively this base can be peeled and boiled to tenderise it but be careful to clean it properly as it readily traps dirt.

Answer: Pasta with spring vegetables

Pasta primavera is generally made using pasta shapes or spaghetti strands however, I have used all the ingredients from the questions above to create a little twist on the dish. Here is my recipe for what I call "Lasagne Primavera".

(Pasta) Boil the dry pasta as per the instructions on the packet. When cooked as required plunge the sheets into cold water and then place on a tea towel to dry.

(Béchamel sauce) For this you'll require some milk and butter as well as the cloves, pepper and basil from above. Melt 60g (2oz) of butter in a saucepan. Add one third of cup of plain flour, a little pepper and 2 cloves. (Note) The cloves are optional. If you're not careful they can overpower the sauce. Stir and allow this to cook for one minute. Gradually add warmed milk and stir until the sauce boils and thickens. Remove the cloves. This is your base Béchamel sauce. Now for a twist, place the sauce into a blender and add a good handful of basil leaves, blending until smooth.

(Vegetables) Steam these (asparagus, broad beans, peas, runner beans & zucchini) individually but leave slightly underdone. The zucchini should be diced before cooking and the skins removed from the broad beans after cooking.

(Putting it all together) Butter an ovenproof dish and spread a layer of pasta across the base. Add a layer of mixed vegetables followed by a layer of the green sauce. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese over this and then repeat the layering process. You should finish with a layer of pasta. Dust this with parmesan, dot it with butter and place it into a hot oven for twenty minutes.

Enjoy.