What better way to discover all the various foods out there than to follow an alphabetic order. Today, our focus is on letter S. Let the count begin!
1. Saffron
Saffron is a rare spice and one of the most coveted in the world. It is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus and has a red thread-like appearance. After drying, the spice can be used as a food coloring agent or for seasoning purposes. Its strong aroma and vibrant color are some of the traits that attract its steep price tag.
2. Sage
Sage is an easier herb to come by and is characterized by its gray-green leaves. Its aroma and earthy flavor pair well with meat and soups. Not to mention it has a rich minty taste with hints of pepper. The spice commonly features as a stuffing during the holiday season.
3. Sushi
Sushi is amongst if not the highest sought-after seafood dishes across the globe. Ideally, it is of Japanese origin and it is prepared using vinegared rice, meats (often raw), sauces, and sometimes fruit. Usually, seaweed is incorporated to hold the roll together in place so that it doesn’t fall apart. Finally, it is served with traditional chopsticks.
4. Sake
Sake is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been purified by removing the bran. The drink hails from the Japanese culture and is drank out of small porcelain cups. Sake can be taken separately as a brew, however, it is no surprise to have it as a sushi dip. Compared to whisky and spirits, it has a much lower alcohol concentration.
5. Salad
Salads come in a variety of forms, making it challenging to characterize them. Fruits and vegetables, however, are the two most often used building components. To balance out the ratios and increase fullness, you might also add some lean protein, such as chicken strips. Add additional grains and seeds to this to go even farther. To finish, drizzle some oil to bring everything together.
6. Salmon
Salmon is a freshwater oily fish that takes to pink color. Unlike other species, it lacks the overpowering fishy taste, which is why many love it. Salmon is a classic in sushi dishes, especially when put together with some rice roll and tantalizing sauces.
It’s also edible raw, just be sure to have it stored and prepared properly.
7. Salsa
Forget the salsa dance; this is a mix of vegetables that create a delicious side sauce. It combines a bit of tomato, bell peppers, onions, and some hot chili all ground up together. The condiment is excellent for Mexican foods such as tacos, burritos and you’ll also love it as a dip for tortilla chips.
8. Sardines
Unlike popular opinion, these are not baby fish. They are of the Herring family, only that they are small in size. Sardines pack heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids as well as calcium. They also contain the lowest level of mercury compared to any other fish. When you’re not fishing for these from the river, you could buy them canned at the store.
9. Sausage
Traditionally sausage is ground meat derived from pork. Today, there are several variations of this product including beef and poultry sausages. The ground meat is fed into casings and tied at the ends before being packaged. Grilled sausages are a favorite but so are deep-fried and smoked recipes. The preferable choice is up to you.
10. Shrimp
On our list of beloved seafood dishes shrimp comes in at a close second. They are crustaceans with elongated bodies and a fantastic taste. Typically, you’d have to crack off the hard outer shell before cooking, however, beneath is a nice soft texture. Shrimp is best when fried with some garlic and butter and also be sure to bring on some lemon slices.
11. Scallops
Scallops are just one amongst the numerous species of mollusk underwater. They have a tender butter texture not so far from crab and lobster. Appearance-wise they are round in shape and may have a briny taste to them. Sear them over some butter for a nice crunchy bite.
12. Schnitzel
Schnitzel comes from German meaning “slice”. It’s a generic word used to refer to a thin slice of fried meat. Whether steak, fish, pork, or chicken, they are all variations of Schnitzel.
13. Sesame Seeds
The little grainy toppings you see on bread and buns are in most cases sesame seeds. They come from a flowering plant (Sesame), are oil-rich, and grow in pods from which they are harvested. The seeds have a nutty flavor to them and apart from pastry, you could also use them to dress your smoothies.
14. Shallots
Shallots are closely related to regular onions but they are not identical. These have a delicate sweet flavor with a hint of sharpness. Shallots are great for salads and soups owing to their mild flavor, plus you can sauté them as well for an elevated taste.
15. Spaghetti
Spaghetti, or if you like pasta, is a timeless dish that combines elements of Italian and American cuisines. They are made of milled wheat and outwardly resemble thin, long, cylindrical noodles. Have it drenched in some tomato paste, garnish with some coriander, and voila! You may also find spaghetti and meatballs to be a classic combo.
16. Strawberries
Having farm-fresh strawberries to enjoy during summer has to be at the top of your to-do list. The fruit is widely appreciated for its aroma, gorgeous red color, succulent bite, and sweet flavor. You could eat them whole, blend them into a smoothie, throw a couple into your dessert or mix up a salad – the list is endless. Plus they are nutritious.
17. Snickers
Who doesn’t love a good snicker bar? It’s the fastest way to curb hunger and simultaneously kick up your sugar levels. The snack is a blend of 3 ingredients; peanut, caramel, and nougat all covered in tasty chocolate. It lends a crunchy bite mixed with some yummy-gooey filling on the inside both of which will have you craving for more!
18. Snow Peas
Snow peas are one of the rare few peas eaten whole. That is both the pod and seeds. They feature prominently in Asian cuisines and can even be eaten raw. Homemade dishes such as stir-fried rice do well with snow peas.
19. Soba
These are thin Japanese noodles made from buckwheat. Served hot they come in noodles soup, but they can still be eaten cold along with some dipping sauce. Soba noodles are very low in fat and cholesterol and provide healthy carbs.
20. Soup
Nothing beats the healing power of soup when you’re feeling under the weather. It could be made out of meat, vegetables, bone, or even noodles. In the same way, soup has different consistencies. Some like it thick and creamy ie: broccoli cheddar soup, while others prefer a good old plain broth. Either way, it tastes delicious.
21. Soy
The soybean produces soy which when left to ferment turns into the infamous soy sauce. People who follow a vegetarian diet often use soy to replace meat. It is naturally rich in protein except without loaded fats.
22. Steak
Steak is a treat for meat lovers. It is a beef cut grilled to perfection or pan-fried if you like. A good steak is sliced across the muscle fibers and may or may not include a bone. The ideal level of doneness seems to be a golden brown outside, marred with a warm pink finish. Alternatively, ground up your steak and use it for burger patties.
23. Spaghetti Squash
This is a huge oval-shaped squash whose insides resemble spaghetti noodles when pulled apart. It tastes just as nice and makes a healthy replacement for pasta. Just ensure to take out the seeds first before baking in the oven.
24. Spinach
To talk of green vegetables without mentioning spinach would be a misdeed. This leafy plant packs a ton of vitamins and minerals known to boost the immune system. It also washes away harmful toxins from the body. Its leaves are edible and there are various ways that you could eat them. Better yet, you can make a spinach dip.
25. Squash
Squash is ideally a fruit although many people confuse it for a vegetable. It belongs to the gourd family and is quite fleshy. Close relatives are the likes of pumpkin and butternut and all three can be prepared and served as vegetables or used as flavorful ingredients.
26. Star Fruit
As you may have guessed, the fruit derives its name from its conspicuous star shape. Other times it goes by “five fingers”. It is a tropical fruit with a sweet-sour taste and a fleshy cross-section. It is very common in South East Asia and Brazil.
27. Sun-Dried Tomatoes
These are basically ripe tomatoes that lose most of their water content after having been left out to dry in the sun. As a result, they emerge with a concentrated tomato flavor and can be used to make dishes such as paste or even pizza toppings. The drying also helps to preserve the ingredient and it can stay stored away for a long time.
28. Sultanas
Sultanas are essentially dried grapes that associate closely with raisins and can be substituted one for the other. They are made from green oval seedless grapes and once dried they turn golden. They are great natural sweeteners in smoothies.
29. Sweet Potato
This is a large, starchy, root vegetable that is sweet to the taste – much sweeter than a regular potato. The insides are yellow or white depending on the type, especially after a good boil. Being a versatile food, you could use it to make French fries, baked/mashed potatoes, or for a sweeter appeal have it for dessert, like a sweet potato pie.
Related: Quick And Easy Method To Peel Sweet Potatoes
30. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese originates from Switzerland. It’s yellow in color and has a mild nutty flavor. This soft sharpness is a result of aging and it adds a nice twist to foods. It is especially good on pizza and can be used alongside other cheese varieties.
Fun fact – the longer you age Swiss cheese, the larger the holes on it.