Eating, Drinking, and Serving Food - Parts of Meals

Here you will learn some English words related to the different parts of meals such as "appetizer", "side dish", and "leftovers".

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afters [noun]

a British term for dessert or a sweet course served after the main meal

Ex: She always looks forward to afters , especially if there 's a rich chocolate cake .

antipasto [noun]

a dish of small amount eaten before the main part of a meal, originated in Italy

Ex:

aperitif [noun]

a drink, particularly alcoholic, consumed before a meal to stimulate one's appetite

appetizer [noun]

a small dish that is eaten before the main part of a meal

Ex: She ordered a variety of appetizers , including shrimp cocktail and stuffed mushrooms , to share with the table .

course [noun]

one of the three parts of a meal, served separately

crudites [noun]

a selection of raw, fresh vegetables that are cut into bite-sized pieces and served with a dip, often as an appetizer or snack

dessert [noun]

‌sweet food eaten after the main dish

Ex: They shared a fruit tart for dessert after dinner .

entree [noun]

a small dish or appetizer served before the main course

Ex:

entremets [noun]

a course of sweet or savory dishes served between the main courses during a formal meal

Ex: Among the entremets was a delicate pomegranate gelée that provided a sweet contrast to the savory flavors of the meal .

fixings [noun]

the extra ingredients or accompaniments served with a main dish to enhance its flavor or texture

helping [noun]

the amount of food served to an individual at one time, typically from a larger dish or container

hors d'oeuvre [noun]

a small dish served before the main course as an appetizer

jardiniere [noun]

a dish or cooking style that involves vegetables, often cooked or garnished in a colorful and visually appealing manner

leftovers [noun]

the amount of food that remains uneaten after a meal and is typically saved for later consumption

Ex: The restaurant donates its excess food and leftovers to local shelters and charities .

macedoine [noun]

a mixture of various fruits or vegetables, typically diced and often served in a sweet syrup or dressing

main course [noun]

the main dish of a meal

Ex: She decided to order the steak as her main course , while her friend opted for the pasta .

medaillons [noun]

a small, circular or oval-shaped pieces of meat, typically cut from the fillet, and used for dishes like stews, sautés, or steaks

portion [noun]

an amount of food served to one person

Ex: They asked for a smaller portion of dessert to avoid overeating .

pudding [noun]

the dessert course at the end of a meal

Ex:

side dish [noun]

an extra amount of food that is served with the main course, such as salad

Ex: The side dish of roasted vegetables complemented the main course .

side order [noun]

a small dish which is served separately from the main course

Ex: A side order of onion rings came with the combo meal .

starter [noun]

a small dish served before the main course

Ex: The chef prepared a colorful salad as a starter , featuring fresh vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette .

sweet [noun]

a food eaten for dessert, typically characterized by its sugary nature such as cakes, cookies, or ice cream

Ex:

dish [noun]

food that is made in a special way as part of a meal

al desko [adverb]

having a meal, typically lunch, at one's desk or place of work

alfresco [adjective]

(of activities, events, etc.) done or taking place in the open air or outdoors

Ex:

celebratory [adjective]

relating to the food or dishes specifically chosen or prepared to mark a special occasion or event

hearty [adjective]

providing essential nutrients

Ex: She prepared a hearty casserole for the family dinner , packed with meat , vegetables , and cheese .

heavy [adjective]

(of food) dense and likely to cause digestive discomfort

Ex: Cream sauces are heavy and filling .

light [adjective]

(of food) low in sugar, fat, or other rich ingredients, which makes it easily digestible

Ex: She opted for a light salad for lunch to avoid feeling sluggish in the afternoon .

on the side [phrase]

as an accompaniment to the main dish

substantial [adjective]

containing a significant amount of nourishment

Ex: The protein shake was designed to be a substantial source of vitamins and minerals for those needing extra nutrition .

Eating, Drinking, and Serving Food
Types of Meal	Parts of Meals	Types of Food or Drink	Tastes and Flavors
Consistency and Texture	Eating	Drinking	Alcohol Consumption
Dieting	Human Nutrition	Meal Venues	Eating Out