Read through our list of the numerous meals that start with E whether you are trying to create a dish that begins with the letter “E” or if you want to amaze your foodie friends with your extensive culinary expertise. These 20 cuisines and ingredients come from all across the world, some of which may surprise you. We hope you enjoy learning some interesting information about them.
20 Foods That Start With the Letter E
Éclair
The éclair is a famous French dessert that originated back in the 19th century and has since become among the most popular desserts worldwide. The first known recipe for éclairs in English was included in the
Boston Cooking School Book by D.A. Lincoln from 1884.
The éclair is oval-shaped and made of light and airy choux pastry filled with pastry, whipped cream, or ice cream. It is topped with a chocolate ganache or caramel and sometimes with powdered sugar.
Today, you can find even more fillings, such as chestnut puree, fruits, rum, or pistachio flavors offered by pastry chefs.
Ecrevisse
Ecrevisse means crayfish in French. These small-sized crustaceans resemble tiny lobsters and live in freshwaters. When boiled or cooked taste like a mixture of shrimp and crab.
Some of the other names for ecrevisse include crawfish, mudbug, and freshwater lobster.
Edam
This famous cheese originated in the town of Edam in the Netherlands. It is a semi-hard, mild-flavored cheese that is sold in spheres that are coated with red paraffin wax.
It does not smell and has a nutty, salty, and mild flavor. As it ages, the cheese becomes harder, and its flavor becomes sharper. It has lower fat content than cheddar cheese.
Edam goes well with different cheese fruits such as pears, apples, and apricots. It is also a popular snack when served with crackers after the main course.
The Dutch cheese can be combined perfectly with wines like dry Riesling, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and even sparkling wine.
Edamame
Edamame beans are actually immature whole soybeans and are a staple in Japanese cuisine.
These green-colored bean pods are usually steamed or boiled and served in salads, soups, stews, and with different noodles.
They have multiple health benefits, including lowering bad cholesterol, strengthening the bones, reduction of menopausal symptoms, and can even help reduce the risk of breast or prostate cancer.
Since edamame is very rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it is very suitable for vegans and vegetarians as well.
Eel
There are about 800 different species of eel, most of which live in salt water, and a few reside in fresh water sources. They have long bodies resembling snakes and are highly toxic when consumed raw.
In Japan, the freshwater eel, and especially its gonads, is known as unagi and is served grilled with teriyaki sauce on sushi or with rice. Since it is difficult to harvest and clean, unagi is quite an expensive treat.
Egg Noodles
Egg noodles, as their name suggests, are made of eggs and flour. They are common in Asian cuisine but are popular in Europe as well.
For example, egg noodles are called kesme in Turkey, spaetzle in Germany, and lochshen in Jewish cusine.
You can enjoy them with many dishes, including topped with cream sauce, butter, or beef stroganoff.
Eggfruit
Eggfruit is also known as canistel or cupcake fruit and grows on evergreen canistel trees native of several South American countries.
The fruits are yellow-orange in color and have sweet flesh, which has the texture of hard-boiled egg yolk, hence the name.
The eggfruit can be consumed raw but is commonly used for making different jams, milkshakes, and marmalades.
Eggnog
Eggnog is a drink that is commonly associated with and consumed at Christmas. Also known as egg milk punch, the festive beverage is made of whipped egg whites, egg yolks, sugar and cream, and is often infused with different alcohol such as rum, brandy, whiskey, or bourbon.
Also called an egg-milk punch, eggnog is a drink made with egg yolks, whipped egg whites, cream, and sugar. It is seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon, which give the eggnog that Christmas-y flavor.
Eggplant
Eggplant is called aubergine in the UK, Quebec, and other Western European countries. In Asia, the plant is called brinjal. In fact, its native country is India.
Most commonly, the eggplant is deep purple and almost black in color and has a spongy pale green, absorbent flesh.
The plant is defined as a berry and is related to the potato, tomato, and chili pepper.
It is eaten in many different forms and dishes, most commonly grilled, cooked, or fried, so that the bitter flavor of the raw aubergine is subsided.
Eggs
When referring to eggs as a food, we most commonly refer to chicken eggs. But of course, other birds and other animals lay eggs. But humankind has been producing and eating chicken eggs for ages and are widely considered among the most nutritious foods in the world.
The chicken egg is among the most common foods around the world and is high in protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Vitamin A, Phosphorus, Selenium, and other essential nutrients.
While the yolk of the egg contains most of the vitamins, minerals, and fats, the egg white has the same amount of protein as the egg yolk.
The egg is considered by some nutritionists the perfect food, and each egg has 77 calories, 5g of healthy fats, and 6g of protein.
Elderberry
The elderberry is a healthy bluish purple-colored berry that is a common ingredient in different teas, juices, and dietary products.
There are around 30 different elder plant species around the world, but the one which is most commonly used is the European version.
It is known for its health benefits due to its high content of vitamins and antioxidants. It can help boost the human immune system, improve heart health, reduce stress, as well as a remedy for different ailments, such as kidney problems, infections, pain, and more.
There are also other products that contain elderberry extracts, including jams, wines, body lotions, and food colorings. The berry turns the water red when diluted in it.
Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are round and crispy desserts made of deep-fried flat dough. They are commonly sold at fairs and carnivals in Canada and usually are served sprinkled with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or others.
The name of this dessert comes from the wrinkled and uneven surface and the shape of this delicious food.
Emmental
Emmental cheese is one of the most famous Swiss cheeses and originates from a Bern canton of Emmental in Switzerland.
It is a medium-hard, yellow cheese with highly recognizable holes. In fact, Emmental is the cheese that is closest to the famous cartoon cheese depictions.
The flavor of Emmental is mild but quite savory.
The famous cheese is made of cow milk and is available in three variants – Classic, which has aged for at least four months, Reserve, which has aged at least eight months, and Premier Cru, which has aged for at least 14 months.
Emmental, along with Gruyere, is commonly used for making fondue and gratins.
Empanada
Empanada is a fried or baked pastry made of a crusty and soft dough and filled with different savory fillings, including meat, corn, cheese, or others.
The name empanada comes from the word empanar, which means wrapped in bread or embreaded in Galic.
It is a common food in Galicia, Spain, as well as in other South European countries, but can be found in Latin America and in the Philippines as well.
Enchiladas
The enchilada is a corn, or flour tortilla rolled around a savory filling and covered with sauce.
It is common Mexican street food and can come with different fillings and sauces, some of the most popular being ground meat, cheese, beans, veggies, topped with salsa, marinara, and melted cheese sauce, or others.
Endive
Endive is a leafy vegetable that is used for making different salads. It is slightly bitter and has a nice crunch when it is eaten raw. When cooked, the endive develops a nuttier taste and becomes softer.
English Muffins
English muffins, unlike American muffins, are made with yeast rather than with baking soda.
The English muffin is breakfast bread, which is most commonly used for making the famous eggs, Benedict.
You can also enjoy an English muffin with some butter, honey, jam, or whatever you prefer for breakfast or brunch.
Related: How Long Do English Muffins Last?
Ensaimada
This Spanish pastry originated in Mallorca, and its name comes from the Catalan word for pork lard (saim).
The pastry is made of mother dough, flour, eggs, sugar, and water, and of course, with pork lard.
It can be eaten as is but is commonly served with fillings such as chocolate, custard, pumpkin puree, or others. You may also find the ensaimada topped with fruits, sugar, and even cheese.
Escargot
Escargot means snail in French. It is a traditional appetizer from French cuisine, consisting of cooked edible land snails with garlic butter, wine, or chicken stock.
The snails need to be purged properly before being cooked and then killed, cooked, and shelled.
Land snails are also popular foods in Greece, Cyprus, and North Africa, and India.
Espresso
Espresso is probably the most famous method for preparing coffee. It originates from Italy and is made by forcing a small quantity of nearly boiling water through tightly packed ground coffee beans with high pressure.
Espresso can be enjoyed as is and is also the basis of other popular coffee-based beverages, including latte, macchiato, cappuccino, Americano, mocha, and flat white.