Exploring food alphabetically may sound quirky at first, but it’s a surprisingly fun and insightful way to learn about cuisine. When you narrow the focus to dishes and ingredients starting with specific letter combinations, you stumble upon rare gems, cultural traditions, and forgotten culinary terms. Today’s adventure takes us deep into the world of food starting with Au, a category that might look small at first glance but reveals a rich mix of French culinary terms, Austrian specialties, and flavorful ingredients used worldwide.
Why Look for Foods Starting with Au?
You may wonder, why even bother with such a niche focus? The truth is, foods beginning with unusual letter combinations spark curiosity and open doors to knowledge. There are several reasons people search for them:
- Word Games and Quizzes: From crossword puzzles to Scrabble, knowing rare food words is a winning edge.
- Cooking Inspiration: Alphabet-themed challenges often encourage cooks to find and prepare dishes that fit certain letters.
- Cultural Exploration: Many “Au” foods trace their origins to French cuisine or Austrian culinary traditions, which makes learning about them both tasty and educational.
- Food Trivia Fun: Perfect for parties, quizzes, or simply impressing your foodie friends.
When you dive into foods that start with Au, you uncover a blend of techniques, flavors, and histories that might otherwise go unnoticed.
List of Foods Starting with Au
Au Gratin
One of the most recognized “Au” dishes, au gratin refers to a French cooking method where ingredients are topped with breadcrumbs, butter, and cheese before being baked to golden perfection. The term “gratin” comes from the French word gratter, meaning to scrape, referencing the crispy crust created in the oven.
Popular versions include:
- Potatoes au gratin: Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cream, cheese, and a crunchy topping.
- Cauliflower au gratin: A lighter version with baked cauliflower.
- Seafood au gratin: Shrimp or lobster baked in creamy sauce under a crusty top.
Cooking Tip: For the crispiest finish, use a mix of Parmesan and Gruyère cheese with a touch of buttered breadcrumbs.
Au Jus
The phrase au jus translates literally to “with juice.” This classic French culinary term describes meat served with its natural juices, often reduced into a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Common Use: Prime rib, roast beef sandwiches, or lamb.
- Difference from Gravy: Unlike gravy, au jus isn’t thickened with flour; it’s lighter and more concentrated.
- How to Make: Simmer roasted meat drippings with red wine, garlic, onions, and herbs until it reduces to a savory liquid.
This versatile sauce enhances meat without overpowering it.
Austrian Foods
Many foods tied to Austria also begin with “Au.” While not all are everyday household names, they hold cultural weight.
- Austrian Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel): A flaky pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and sugar.
- Austrian Sausages: Known as würstel, these sausages are commonly eaten as street food or paired with sauerkraut.
- Austrian Schnitzel: Breaded and fried meat cutlets, often served with lemon and potatoes.
Austrian cuisine reflects Central European traditions, blending German, Hungarian, and Czech influences.
Aubergine (Eggplant)
The word aubergine is the European and British English term for eggplant. This versatile purple vegetable appears in cuisines worldwide, from French ratatouille to Middle Eastern baba ganoush.
Nutritional Facts of Aubergine (per 100g):
| Nutrient | Amount | Benefit |
| Calories | 25 kcal | Low-calorie food |
| Fiber | 3g | Supports digestion |
| Vitamin C | 3% DV | Boosts immunity |
| Potassium | 230mg | Helps regulate blood pressure |
| Antioxidants | High | Protects against free radicals |
Eggplants soak up flavors like a sponge, making them ideal for stews, curries, and dips.
Au Lait
In French, au lait means “with milk.” The most famous example is café au lait, a drink combining brewed coffee with steamed milk.
- French Style: Equal parts strong coffee and hot milk.
- American Style: Often prepared with drip coffee and steamed milk.
- Difference from Latte: Café au lait is less frothy and uses coffee instead of espresso.
For a cozy morning routine, café au lait pairs beautifully with croissants or toast.
Other Rare Foods Starting with Au
Beyond the popular examples, several unusual or historical terms also fit this category:
- Aurochs Meat: Though now extinct, aurochs were wild ancestors of domestic cattle. Their meat was a staple in prehistoric diets.
- Auceps (Historical Term): From Latin, meaning bird-catcher; linked to ancient Roman food preparation.
- Regional Dishes with “Au” Prefix: Many local recipes use “au” to indicate “with,” such as boeuf au poivre (beef with pepper).
Nutritional Insights of Foods Starting with Au
Many of these dishes and ingredients differ significantly in nutritional value. For example, while aubergine is light and nutrient-dense, potatoes au gratin can be heavy in calories due to cheese and cream.
Here’s a comparison table:
| Food Item | Calories (per serving) | Protein | Key Nutrients |
| Aubergine | 25 kcal (100g) | 1g | Fiber, potassium, antioxidants |
| Potatoes au gratin | 350 kcal (1 cup) | 10g | Calcium, carbs, fat |
| Café au lait | 100 kcal (1 cup) | 6g | Calcium, vitamin B12 |
| Au jus | 30 kcal (2 tbsp) | 1g | Iron, zinc |
This variation shows that while some “Au” foods are indulgent, others offer excellent nutrition.
Fun Facts About Foods Starting with Au
- Language Roots: In French, “au” means “with.” That’s why so many foods like au gratin and au jus are labeled this way.
- Aubergine’s Numerous Names: Referred to as “eggplant” in America, “aubergine” in Britain, and “brinjal” in the South Asian region.
- Austrian Cuisine Influence: Vienna alone has over 1,400 coffee houses, many serving café au lait with pastries.
- Cultural Trivia: Potatoes au gratin was first served in French royal courts during the 18th century.
Recipes Using Foods That Start with Au
Simple Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Instructions:
- Slice potatoes thinly.
- Layer with cream and cheese in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes until golden brown.
Classic French Café Au Lait
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup steamed milk
Instructions:
- Brew fresh coffee.
- Steam or heat milk until frothy.
- Mix equal parts coffee and milk.
Mediterranean Baba Ganoush (Aubergine Dip)
Ingredients:
- 2 large aubergines
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, olive oil
Instructions:
- Roast aubergines until skin chars.
- Scoop out the flesh and mash with tahini, garlic, and lemon.
- Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
FAQ About Foods Starting with Au
Q1: What does “au” mean in food?
It comes from French and means “with.”
Q2: Is aubergine the same as eggplant?
Yes, aubergine is the British word for eggplant.
Q3: What’s the difference between au jus and gravy?
Gravy is thickened with flour, while au jus is a light meat juice reduction.
Conclusion – Celebrating Unique Foods That Begin with Au
From indulgent casseroles like potatoes au gratin to the lighter charm of café au lait, foods starting with Au showcase the rich intersection of language and cuisine. They reveal how French culinary traditions have influenced global food culture while also highlighting Austrian contributions and the versatile aubergine. Whether you’re exploring trivia, cooking new recipes, or deepening your knowledge of gastronomy, these foods prove that even the smallest letter combinations can open a world of flavor.
So next time someone challenges you with an alphabet food game, you’ll have more than just one answer—you’ll have a flavorful story to share.
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