Table of Contents
In this post, we collect 30 ingredients, dishes, recipes, and foods that start with E. This one is going to be easy compared to foods that start with U or foods that start with X. We did our research and tried our best compiling this list of foods, which we think you will find interesting (and tasty). You can cook them, eat them, or serve them at parties with your friends.
Foods that start with the E include Eggs, Egg Salad, Eggnog, Egg Rolls, Ego Waffles, English Sole, Escarole, Egg Fruit, Evaporated Milk, Espresso, Eel, Emu Apple, Edamame, Enset, Embutido, Enchiladas, Empanadas, Elbow Macaroni, Earthnut, Edam, Endive, Escargot, Eclair, Elephant Ears, Elk Jerky, Elderberries, Ekwang, Ecrevisse, Escalope and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Let’s dive in!
1. Eggs
The first item on our list is Eggs. Eggs are a part of almost every culture and cuisine. The reason behind this is because chickens are the most abundantly consumed animal in the world. Fun fact, for every person on Earth, there are 9 chickens! Yet we can’t still figure out why McDonald’s got rid of their chicken snack wrap?
Eggs have high protein content and are very nutritious. For many years, doctors thought the cholesterol in eggs was bad. But recent studies have come out showing the exact opposite. Athletes like eggs very much, because they are also low in fat and offer a powerful protein punch.
Eggs are a very versatile food. You can boil them, poach them, fry them, or drink them raw like Rocky does. Also, they’re the most crucial ingredient in many baked goods and dishes like Schnitzels or Chicken Nuggets.
Food Knowledge Bomb: did you know that the breed of chicken determines the color of the egg shell, and that it has up to 17,000 pores? The pores are so small that the yolk and embryo membrane don’t seep through, but nonetheless, there are 17,000 holes in your egg!
2. Egg Salad
This is another way of eating eggs. My mom used to make this every now and then. A classic egg salad recipe contains eggs, lettuce, parsley, spring onions, dill, olives, olive oil, and seasoning. Egg salad makes for a beautiful looking and delicious lunch. If you are a white-collar office worker, you can prepare the salad night before (just make sure it stays refrigerated!)
Food Knowledge Bomb: every culture has it’s own version of egg salad. In Ukraine, it’s called Olivier salad, which originally comes from France. In Middle Eastern Cultures, they chop up a boiled egg and add in Za’atar and EVOO. This is eaten with fresh tomatoes and bread out of the oven – delicious!
3. Eggnog: a Holiday Drink
The third item on our list of foods is Eggnog – you either love it or hate it! Although there is no exact information about its origin, it seems more likely that most drinks originate in British soil, from which they somehow originated. In fact, the fact that the “nog” part means “glass carved from a tree and served alcohol” in old English makes this thesis a little stronger. My German colleagues have told me that when they were young, their families gave this drink to get them used to the alcohol.
Some of you might find this weird and inappropriate as I did. But this is culture. Original Eggnog contains milk, raw eggs, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. To add the alcohol, put Brandy in it and have this drink for breakfast. Just make sure you don’t have to go to work that day!
Food Knowledge Bomb: did you know Eggnog originated in the 13th century with British monks? It was originally known as a posset, which is a warm ale punch mixed with eggs and figs. Over the centuries, this original cocktail became mixed with different types of milks and began being served at social gatherings. Today, it is known as a holiday drink.
4. Egg rolls
Egg rolls are deep-fried appetizers that are very popular in American Chinese restaurants. An egg roll is a cylindrical shaped savory roll with chopped pork meat, seasonings, and shredded cabbage inside. Many today are vegetable only as well, which are just as good!
The skin of egg rolls are made out of wheat flour, then deep-fried in oil, resulting in a golden color with a flaky texture. Nowadays, the vegetarian option for Egg rolls is becoming more and more popular. Instead of pork meat, they use peas and corn which makes it even juicier while eating. The crust is not so crispy but a little bit soft. Eggs rolls are usually served warm, along with soy sauce or hot mustard (duck sauce).
Food Knowledge Bomb: Egg Rolls are a Western invention, and have nothing to do with eggs. The term is thought to have originated from The Chinese Cook Book, where there is a recipe that is similar to an omlette, where ingredients are “rolled” into eggs. Over time, the name stuck but the ingredients changed.
5. Eggo Waffles
Eggo, the brand, belongs to the American company Kellogg, and their products are sold mainly in North America. Waffles are a perfect option for breakfast, especially kids like it very much! They can be eaten either cold or warm but they’re much better warm, served with butter, jam or Nutella on top. The contrast between a warm, fluffy waffle and cold fruit, along with crunch walnuts, makes for a unique texture. There are many varieties for Eggo Waffles, for example, Cinnamon, strawberries, vanilla, etc.
Food Knowledge Bomb: although Belgian waffles are very popular, waffles did not originate in Belgium. They actually originated in Ancient Greece, where chefs roasted flat cakes between metal plates.
6. English Sole: Bottom Feeder Fish
English Sole is a type of flatfish. They live on the sandy bottoms of the seas. Their population levels are increasing every year, making this source of protein abundant for human consumption. This fish is best served filleted, pan seared with butter, and garnished with fresh parsley and lemon. You can also create a batter from breadcrumbs, egg yolks and creme, to deep fry it. English Sole makes for a great Lenten meal.
Food Knowledge Bomb: English Sole is a type of Pleuronectidae fish, also known as “right eye flounders“. They spend their entire lives on the muddy bottoms of the sea, having evolved into both eyes being on their right side… creepy, but delicious!
7. Escarole: Leafy Green Vegetable
Escarole is one of the foods beginning with E and it looks like spinach, kale, and lettuce. Escarole looks like a head of lettuce with a slight yellow color at the bottom. It’s mostly used in soups because it has a very nice texture, and sauteed “Italian greens” are commonly made with escarole, garlic and lemon. They are tender enough to cook quickly while maintaining their integrity and nutrient density. A typical soup is “Wedding Soup”, which contains olive oil, garlic, seasoning, chicken broth, and mini meatballs.
Food Knowledge Bomb: although Escarole looks, feels and somewhat tastes like lettuce, the nutrient profile is dramatically different. Per one ounce of escarole, you will get some of the most nutrient dense vitamins and minerals you can get from a vegetable (compare to iceberg lettuce, which basically has nothing in it). Escarole packs a powerful punch of vitamins B, A, E, K and C.
8. Eggfruit: Similar to Apricots!
Eggfruit should not be mistaken for eggplants or anything associated with eggs, because they are nothing like those! They actually look like apricots, and are a fruit known as the canistel. They are mostly grown in southern parts of Mexico and Guatemala. The insides have a pasty texture, but if you can choose carefully and know your “Eggfruits”, you can get your hands one some with a creamy mousse-like texture. The flavor is rich and is reminiscent of egg custard, believe it or not — hence the nickname, egg fruit.
Food Knowledge Bomb: latex, which is used for natural rubber, can be extracted from the bark of the Eggfruit (canistel) tree. And although the seeds should NOT be eaten, they can be pulverized and used to help treat stomach ulcers. Eggfruit is a powerful food!
9. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated is an adjective we know. But that does not stop us from putting it on our list of foods that start with E. Evaporated Milk is a form of concentrated milk and differs one some aspects with Condensed Milk. 60% of its water content is removed by applying heat to the milk. the point where it differs from Condensed Milk is that it is not sweetened. It has no extra sugar involved. It requires fewer protection measures compared to normal milk thanks to its low water content. In such dense environments, it is hard for micro-organisms to survive.
10. Espresso: Ground Coffee
Ah, the sweet flavor of coffee beans in the morning. I really love it. Espresso is the main ingredient for many types of coffee like Latte, Mocha, and other mixed Coffee drinks you would find a Starbucks. It is a type of coffee, which is native to Italy, that is made out of ground coffee beans. The texture of the ground coffee is a bit thicker than that of Turkish Coffees. Espresso is usually made in small cups, which makes it really thick and bitter in texture, therefore you might want to mix it with water to make an Americano, or mix it with milk to make a Latte.
11. Eel Negiri: Snake Like Fish on Rice
Eel is a type of fish that has ray type fins. It has a cylindrical shape, looking just like a snake in the sea. An Eel size varies from 60 to 80 cm, an American Eel is about 50 cm and a Short-finned Eel is about 90 centimeters long. But, since we are at JarKitchen, we will be focusing on the place of Eel in cuisines from all around the world. Eels are generally consumed in Asian Cuisine like Japanese or Chinese Cuisine.
Being one of the foods that start with E, It can be cooked in many different ways like frying, boiling, grilling, etc. For example, you can barbeque an Eel by putting in on medium heat, grill each side for 3-4 minutes depending on how crispy you want it to be, then pour white wine over it. Get a palm leaf, put it on a big plate, serve the Eel on the palm leaf, and be sure to garnish with fresh flowers.
12. Emu Apple Fruit: Ancient Berries
Emu Apples trees are native to Australia, in particular in the eastern coastal parts. This funky looking tree produces a fruit known as native cranberries. Emu Apple fruit is no bigger than the size of a small nectarine, with a reddish-orange glow to them. Some people call the fruit berries, and others refer to it as an apple. We like to say Emu Apple fruit, because that’s what it is!
Emu Apple fruit is said to cause hallucinogenic affects. As such, it’s not commonly eaten as a fruit, but some native elderly Aborigine eat it to this day. So if you’re a venturesome individual and plan to travel to Australia, be sure you have the right people by your side (chances are it would be a Shaman of some sort).
This ancient, long lost and mystical fruit apparently has such a succulent taste, the explorer named Major Mitchell tasted one and noted he almost got addicted to it (or maybe it was because of how it made him feel?) ?
To consume an Emu Apple fruit, it must be buried underground for a couple of days before consuming. This is said to remove the hallucinogenic effects. The taste of the apples increases with this method. In cases of starvation, one can also directly consume it, but you may have a psychedelic trip. The fruits have a sour flavor and to some, may cause hallucinations.
Food Knowledge Bomb: Emu Apple fruit has been said to be really good for skincare.
13. Edamame: Green Soybeans
It means green soybeans in Japanese. It is one of the foods that start with E and it is consumed along with alcoholic beverages because they are good appetizers. They often come with salted peels, but they are not edible. The edible parts are the seeds inside. They are incredibly addicting. They are usually packed within small plastic coverings. Edamame also have high protein content and can be eaten as a snack between meals. Their high protein content will make you feel full for a longer period of time.
14. Enset: Like a Banana
Ensete Ventricosum, or a.k.a Enset, is a false banana. The domesticated version of this plan only grows in Ethiopia. They can grow in narrower spaces when compared to grains but they also feed more people.
This is like the bread for Ethiopian people because after fermenting a part of this plant, they pestle it in a mortar and make a bread called Kocho. From its leaves, people can make threads and their fruits can be eaten in cases of starvation. They can also be used in the construction of new buildings. The plant is basically made of water, air, and fibers. The water inside the leaves can be kept safe within the leaves for years to come. That is why this plant is the most important plant in Ethiopian cuisine.
15. Embutido: Egg & Meat Hash
Already halfway on our list of foods that start with E! Embutido is a Mexican dish but it is also cooked in many styles including the Filipino style. Embutido is known to be eaten/consumed during holidays but people are gladly eating it anytime during any day. In the supermarkets, you can get your hands on a commercial one but if you are wondering how it is made and what’s in it, you have come to the right place. It is an appetizer when consumed cold, and considered as a main dish when served hot with fried rice. It contains ground pork, hard-boiled eggs, tomato sauce, green and red bell pepper, carrots, onion, and breadcrumbs.
16. Enchiladas: Stuffed Tortilla
Enchiladas will surely give your kitchen a Mexican flavor. It is one of the foods that start with E and it is a dish made by putting various stuffings in a tortilla, which is produced from corn. Then you need to pour some hot sauce on it and roll the tortilla. It is originated in Mexico but now it is currently in American cuisine. Stuffing usually includes meat, fish, cheese, beans, potatoes, and various vegetables, or a combination of some of these.
The first written usage of Enchilada took place in 1831 in Mexico in a book which is called El cocinero mexicano. El cocinero mexicano is an anonymously printed cookbook. The history of this delicious dish goes back to the Aztecs or Mayans.
17. Empanadas: Meat in Dough
It is a dish that is made in Spain, Mexico, the Philippines, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia, and Venezuela by stuffing dough. It is called Saltena in Bolivia and it is expected, that dish from the list of foods that start with E, received its name from a city in Argentina, “Salta”.
Let us talk about the version that is made in Spain. The dough is a leaven. The stuffing is basically paprika, pepper, tomatoes, onions, and upon wish tuna, squid, or octopus-like other seafood or minced meat. Spanish Empanadas is about 30 centimeters in diameter or covers the whole tray.
We are still in our list of foods that start with E!. Now let us speak about the version that is made in Argentina, where this is believed to be originated. In Argentina, they are about 10 centimeters big and have a crescent-like shape. The most famous types of empanadas in Argentina are Meat Empanadas, Chicken Empanadas, Ham & Cheese (sounds yummy!), and other stuffed Empanadas which may include tuna, onions, spinach, etc.).
18. Elbow Macaroni
Being one of the foods that start with E, you surely know what an Elbow Macaroni is! This amazing shape of pasta is very famous with a recipe… Can you guess what that is? Of course! It is Macaroni and Cheese! A very easy to make Macaroni and Cheese (Mac n Cheese) is to fill a cup with Elbow Macaroni, pour milk to the top, and put some cheddar on it. Microwave it for 5 minutes and Voila! Take the cup out of the Microvawe oven, mix it and you will see how the cheddar is melted and blended with the aroma of the milk. I might even make one this evening 🙂
This is an ideal dish for students and for people that do not have much time to cook. For example, as a white-collar employee, I do not always have the time to cook a nice dish, I want to get something easy without ordering a pizza. If your job is on a computer all day, your only chance to stop yourself from being fat is, that you have to move and prefer healthy foods. Well, at least Mac n Cheese made with Elbow Macaroni is not so unhealthy as eating a burger from Mc Donalds!
19. Earthnut: Peanuts!
Earthnut is also one of the foods that start with E, but you may have heard the name of this nut differently. The famous name of this nut is peanut. Yes! Peanut is actually an Earthnut. Earthnuts have been used in many different dishes and cuisines. They are very versatile and can grow in harsh environments, which made them a good option to feed on in the past too. They are very high in protein so they are often consumed by fitness lovers or bodybuilders as snacks.
Peanut butter is one of the most enjoyable ways of consuming peanuts. If it is made organically without any preservers or additives, you will see that it is not that delicious to eat alone, but goes really good with Jam. Peanut Butter & Jam are the best friends of kids of course.
To eat Earthnuts, you need to peel off the shells and get the nuts in it. They are also preferred to be eaten along with pistachios, cashews, and Brazil nuts. You will not be able to give up on this snack mix while having a beer with your friends! Well, it is better to eat nuts than eating chips right?
20. Edam: Dutch Cheese
Next food in our list of foods that start with E is Edam. Edam is a cheese that is originated in Netherlands. That country is really famous with their cheese. I still cannot forget the taste of that old Gouda I have tasted in my trip to Amsterdam. Yes Amsterdam 😉
But our topic is Edam. Edam is a semi-hard cheese. It takes its name from a village called Edam in Northern Holland State in Netherlands. It is usually sold as a wheel, protected by a parafin wax shell. For Edam cheeses that are not exported and sold within the country, they do not have protective wax around them. Edam was actually one of the most popular cheeses between 14. and 18. centuries.
It is also a very durable cheese, can go on for a week without spoiling. Which makes it a good option to consume along with crackers in events or at home watching TV with your family. Edam Cheese Crackers are also one of the foods that start with E.
21. Endive: Leafy Green Vegetable
Endive is a vegetable. So, if you like your veggies, be sure to give Endive a try! One of the foods that start with E, Endive is a leaf vegetable in the family of Genus Cichorum. This family is known for its bitter, taste. It is also one of the foods that start with E.
Endive is actually a relative of Escarole. The difference between Endive and Escarole is that Endive has narrow, green, and curly outer leaves. It is sometimes named as Chicory in the United States of America. They are high in fibers, so this makes it a good option to improve our intestinal health and they will make your metabolism faster. Eating foods that are high in fiber is a must in a day. Be sure to eat your vegetables! They also contain protein which is 1.25g/100g. Be sure to include this one in your diet. This was the 21st food in our list of foods that start with E.
They are, as said, bitter vegetables when eaten raw. But, if you cook them a bit, they turn nutty and mild, making them more edible. Throw your Endives in a pot of boiling water for one or two minutes, so you can get rid of that sharp taste. After that, you can include them in your salads or dressings. Just like broccoli, you do not want to boil them too much, otherwise, they lose their taste and texture.
22. Escargots
Some of you may find this food from our list of foods that start with E a little disturbing. I do not know if you eat snails or not but Escargots are actually land snails. Escargot means snail in French. Escargots is a dish that is made by cooked and of course edible land snails. They are actually served as an hors d’oeuvre at meals. They are often consumed by French people but Germans, Brits, Italians, and Spanish people also eat Escargots. After that, it is needless to say, that Escargots are very popular in Europe. 🙂
In French cuisine, Escargots are killed and removed from their shells and cooked with garlic butter, wine, or chicken stock! After that, you can put them back in their shells with the butter and the sauce and they are ready to be served. Me personally, I have never eaten snails in my life, I am not sure if I will in the future, but I surely want to give them a try! Just be sure to garnish Escargots with garlic, thyme, pine nuts, and parsley! Escargot Soup is also one of the foods that start with E.
23. Eclair: Cream Filled Doughnut
Eclair is one of my favorite desserts in the world and they are known almost all around the world. Being one of the foods that start with E, Eclair is a dessert with a really nice and soft dough. Usually, between the dough, you find vanilla cream, and the top is covered with melted chocolate and white chocolate for dressing. You can sometimes see Eclairs also filled with coffee or rum cream or even fruit or chestnut fillings.
May food historians say that Eclair is originated in France in the 19th Century. It is believed that Marie-Antoine Careme, the cook of the royal family first made this dessert and it is getting more and more famous ever since. Eclairs serve as the best munchies. Eclair means “Thunder” in French and the reason why it is named after thunder is that you can eat it easily in one bite only! After that, you will feel the exploding taste of the filling inside, along with the softness of its dough and the chocolate topping above it. My god, this is the perfect mix!
24. Elephant Ears: Fried Dough with Sugar
Elephant Ears are the 24th food on our list of foods that start with E. They are actually one of the Fried Doughs you can find out there. They are served very often at carnival-booths. So if you have visited a carnival when you were young in the United States of America, you probably know what Elephant Ears are! I am saying USA, because they are especially famous in the American Cuisine.
How to make Elephant Ears at home you ask? You need to combine milk, salt, sugar and shortening. Heat until shortening melts and the sugar dissolves. After that let cool and add yeast. Next step is to add the flour. Start kneading in a large bowl until it gets smooth, cover it and let rise for 30 minutes. Just make 1 to 2 inches balls from the dough and throw them in the deep fryer. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on them and they are ready to be served and eaten!
25. Elk Jerky
In this one, we are going to talk about Elk Jerky, which is one of the foods that start with E. Jerky in general is a lean trimmed meat that was cut into strips and dehydrated to prevent them from spoiling. To prevent the meat from spoiling because of the bacteria, you need to add salt so that spoilage does not begin before dehydration. The word jerky is actually a Quechua word ch’arki, meaning dried and slated meat. To produce a basic & original jerky, what you need is a low temperature environment and of course as said above, salt to inhibit the bacterial growth.
Another method of making dried or dehydrated meat is the Biltong, which is actually a different technique. Because it uses a combination of both salt and vinegar to inhibit bacterial growth. However, using the Biltong method, you can start the dehydrating process in a room temperature environment thanks to the vinegar applied to the meat.
Elk Jerky is usually made with the basic Jerky method. It is important to choose the right Elk Jerky because the Elk needs to be free of growth hormones or steroids. That way, you can maximize the taste of the Elk, and of course, then it is organic. Always prefer organic food if you can! Elk Meat is also one of the foods that start with E.
26. Elderberries: Tarty Berry
Elderberries are one of the most commonly used medicinal plants and are also one of the most consumed berries in the world. Of course, the competition is not against strawberries or blueberries 😛
In the past, native American people used Elderberries to heal the infections, Egyptian people used it for make-up purposes. In Europe, it is still gathered and used as folk medicine. Now in the 21st century, Elderberries are one of the best ways to deal with the symptoms of cold, just like Tylol Hot! If you are looking for a herbal solution instead of giving yourself up to the chemicals, you may prefer getting some Elderberries in return.
There is a downside though, the berries (if eaten raw), the bark, and the leaves of the plant are poisonous and mostly cause stomach problems in most people. So, if you are out camping, you need to know that the Elderberries need to be cooked before eating. The flowers of the plant though can be eaten raw without cooking. Of course, you can cook them too but this is totally up to you. They have a muscat-like aroma which you will like if you like muscat. We are now closing to the end of our list of foods that start with E.
27. Ekwang: Yams
Ekwang is an African dish that we think you do not know about and the reason it is on this list is, because it is one of the foods that start with E.
It is very time consuming to make but the result will be exotic. You might want to try this one! For real! Ekwang is also known as ekpang nkukwo. This dish is a traditional Nigerian dish. Ekwang is made of freshly grated cocoyam. Grated cocoyams are then to be wrapped in leafy greens and slowly simmered in a pot with a variety of smoked meat, crayfish, fish, spices, and red oil.
But be careful! There are many types of cocoyam, for Ekwang however, red cocoyam is the best one to go with.
28. Ecrevisse: Small Lobsters
Ecrevisse are freshwater crustaceans that look like small lobsters. They are biologically related to Lobsters. They are also known as Crayfish or freshwater lobsters. It is one of the foods that start with E.
Ecrevisse are eaten worldwide. Just like lobster, only a small part of the Ecrevisse can be eaten, the rest is the crust. But here what’s important is the delicious meat under the crust. Since lobster is a big crustacean, its meat can be extracted easily but this is not the case with the Ecrevisse. Mostly, only the tail portion is served with soups or bisques. At other meals, the entirety of the body is presented on a plate for decoration of course. But can almost only eat the meat inside the tail or the claws.
29. Escalope: Schnitzel
Escalope is actually a boneless piece of meat. Being one of the foods that start with E, Escalope is made thin using a malled or a rolling pin. Of course, to do this, you can also get a cup from the kitchen counter and start smashing until it gets thing enough to be an Escalope.
This operation breaks the fibers in the meat, resulting in a more tender texture. The problem with the thin meat is, that it cooks faster and tends to lose more juice (moisture) when cooked. Therefore it is often coated and then fried for a short time. In the United States, to cut is also known as “scallop” but you should not confuse it with the shellfish scallop. 🙂
For example, schnitzel is like an Escalope. You get the chicken, beat it until it gets thin, dip it in eggs and then breadcrumbs, and then deep fry! After that, you will get a golden color, a crispy outside, and a juice inside. Yummy!
30. EVOO: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the last item on our list of foods that start with E and the best type of olive oil you can find out there. Its smell and taste does not have any flaws, contains 1% maximum oleic acid in 100 grams. The natural properties of the olive fruit are not touched by any chemicals whatsoever. The taste, smell, and vitamins are preserved completely.
The acidity is almost zero and this is why we say that the oil is “extra virgin”. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from the first squeeze of the olive paste. If you want more information about the types of Olive Oil, be sure to give this website a visit. And of course, needless to say, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the foods that start with E.
Conclusion on Foods that Start with E
I really had fun collecting 30 foods that start with E for you our dear JarKitchen followers on this list. We wanted to give the exact amount of detail so that you do not go into Wikipedia to get overwhelmed by the detail, but not so much detail so that you do not get overwhelmed here. This is also interesting for us because every time I write an article for our Foodcyclopedia. Collecting 50 foods that start with L was very hard in particular for example, researching every one of the foods there took a lot of time. Therefore we appreciate any comment you might have under the comment sections below. Be sure to share our article with your friends!
This is Berk from the JarKitchen Team. I am a Mechatronics Engineer and I like cooking in my spare time. By bringing my engineering background into the business, product reviews are a specialty for me. During my travels across Europe, I have learned/tested many recipes and now I plan to bring them to you here!