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Halal literally means lawful or permitted. Generally it is used to describe dietary restrictions that impact Muslims. Under the Muslim faith, foods are either halal (permitted) or haram (forbidden). For more information on halal, click here.

Hamantaschen are cookies served during the Jewish holiday of Purim. They are shaped in a triangle and made of a sugar-cookie type dough with a sweet filling. The filling is usually poppy seeds, fruit jam, or jelly. Hamantaschen can be bought pre-made at Jewish specialty stores, as well as some major supermarkets around the time of Purim, or online.

Hard wheat is a type of wheat that has a higher protein content and a higher gluten content. The higher gluten content means hard wheat is well suited for leavened baked goods. For more information on hard wheat and the different types of wheat, click here.

Haredi are a group of highly religious Jews (they follow the most theologically conservative form of Judaism) and are often referred to as “ultra orthodox”. The word “haredi” derives from the Hebrew word for fear “harada” and can be interpreted as “one who trembles in the awe of God.” They live in an insular community with limited contact with the outside world. Their mode of dress makes them easily identifiable; as did their ancestors in the 18th and 19th centuries, the men wear black suits, white shirts and top hats, and the women wear long dresses, stockings, and shirts with long sleeves and high necklines, the married women also wear headcoverings. For more information about Haredi, click here.

Haricot Vert is French for “green beans.” French varietals are longer, thinner, and more tender than their American counterparts.

Harissa is a fiery chili paste made with garlic and spices that is a staple of Tunisian and other North African cuisines. It is available online and in some specialty and ethnic markets.

Harrods is the largest department store in Europe. It spans over 1 million square feet. It was opened in the 1850s and has since expanded to include food courts, gem rooms, toy stores, perfumeries, and many other types of stores. It is located in Knightsbridge, London. For more information on Harrods, click here: http://www.harrods.com/content/misc/boutiques/best-of-british/history-of-harrods and http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/harrods.html

Hawaij is a Yemeni spice mxiture that is a favorite of Yemeni Jews. It is added to stews, soups, rice dishes and even coffee. There are many versions of this mixture (just as there are of Indian curry spice mixtures). The foundation usually consists of cumin, turmeric, cardamom and black pepper.

Recipes that are high in dietary fiber content. Our high-fiber recipes contain 20 grams or more of fiber per serving. Standards vary significantly by age and gender. For more information on high-fiber food, click here.

Most commonly used as a sweetener in drinks, high fructose corn syrup is a controversial sweetener. Sugar molecules are artificially infused, creating an unnatural sweetness, which scientists have indicated the body does not process as well as a natural corn syrup. While high fructose corn syrup is not sold as an individual product at a supermarket, it is an ingredient in many industrial food and drink products. For more information click here.

Hominy is the term for field corn that has been soaked in an alkali solution that removes the hull and germ and makes the kernels expand in size. It is available in canned and dried form. Canned hominy must be rinsed in cold water until the water runs clear. Dried hominy must be soaked overnight (just as you would soak beans) and drained; then add fresh water, bring to a boil and cook for 30 to 40 minutes in clean water. Once prepared, it freezes well. Hominy is typically used in soups and stews.

Hominy grits consists of hominy that has been dried, ground into meal, and cooked to make a hot cereal.

Honey is a sweetener made by bees from the nectar of plants. It is a thick syrup that ranges in flavor from light and mild to dark and robust. Different types of honey are available based on what type of flowers the bees pollinated. Honey is used as a sweetener in many foods, especially baked goods. Honey can be bought at almost all major supermarkets, farmers’ markets, specialty vendors, or online. For more information on honey, click here.

Honjozo-shu sake is a type of Japanese rice wine that is made with a touch of distilled pure alcohol. This gives it a lighter quality and pleasant fragrance.

Hymettus honey is honey produced by bees who feast on the thyme pollen produced by the wild thyme bushes on Mount Hymettus, not far from Athens, Greece.