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flour

flour

GrainsYear-round. Flour is a stable, shelf-stable ingredient produced and available consistently throughout the year due to grain storage and milling infrastructure.

Refined wheat flour is primarily carbohydrates (starch) with moderate protein content; whole wheat flour retains bran and germ, providing additional fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. Enriched flours have synthetic vitamins and minerals added to restore nutrients lost during refining.

About

Flour is a fine powder produced by grinding cereal grains, legumes, or other starchy plants into a meal and then refining it to remove coarser particles. Wheat flour, the most common variety in Western cuisines, derives from the endosperm of wheat berries (Triticum aestivum or related species) and contains the starch, proteins (particularly gluten), and nutrients that make it suitable for baking and cooking. The character of flour varies significantly based on the wheat variety used, milling process, and degree of refinement; whole wheat flour retains the bran and germ, while all-purpose and bread flours are refined endosperm products with varying protein content (typically 10-14% protein). Regional traditions employ flour from diverse sources: rice flour in East and Southeast Asian cuisines, corn flour in the Americas, rye flour in Northern Europe, and chickpea flour in South Asian cuisines.

Culinary Uses

Flour functions as a foundational ingredient across global cuisines, serving as the primary structural component in breads, pastries, pasta, and batters. In baking, the protein networks formed during hydration and kneading (particularly gluten in wheat flour) develop elasticity and strength essential to leavened breads, tender cakes, and crisp pastries. Flour thickens sauces, stews, and gravies through the starch gelatinization that occurs during cooking, and it serves as a coating for fried foods, providing crispness and sealing moisture. Different flour types are matched to specific applications: bread flour (high protein) for chewy loaves, cake flour (low protein) for tender crumbs, and all-purpose flour for versatile everyday cooking.

Used In

Recipes Using flour (2,355)

RCI-BR.006.0253.001

Pecan Tassies

Pecan Tassies these are a North American classic treat, commonly used for desserts or afternoon teas.

RCI-BR.001.0194.001

Peksimeti

Peksimeti from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.001.0082.001

Penne Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Penne Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0411.001

Pennsylvania Dutch Breakfast Cake

A fine recipe for a Sunday breakfast or brunch. Serve with fresh fruit.

RCI-BR.001.0195.001

Pepperoni and Banana Pepper Bread

A delicious twist to the ordinary Pepperoni Bread. Add hot or mild Banana Peppers for a kick!

RCI-SF.001.0278.001

Perch Polish-style

In Romanian: Salau polonez

RCI-BR.006.0255.001

Perfect Apple Pie

Perfect Apple Pie from the Recidemia collection

Perkedel Djagung
RCI-SN.002.0241.001

Perkedel Djagung

Indonesian corn burgers.

RCI-VG.004.1016.001

Pernice Estate Broccoli Casserole

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pernice Estate in Mesquite, Texas in 1988.

RCI-BR.003.0320.001

Peruvian Gingerbread

Peruvian Gingerbread

RCI-SC.001.0044.001

Peterseliesaus

This parsley sauce goes well with all kinds of boiled and with carrots, garden peas or new potatoes.

RCI-VG.004.1020.001

Pe Thee Pin Pauk Ngabaung Kyaw

Bean sprouts fried in batter is a simple and easy to prepare Burmese vegetarian main dish. It can also be served as an appetizer (by frying small balls) or snack.

RCI-BR.005.0503.001

Pfeffernusse Crescents

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 5 dozen cook

RCI-SN.002.0243.001

Phulourie

Phulourie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0256.001

Picante Peach Cobbler

Picante Peach Cobbler

RCI-SN.002.0244.001

Picarones

Picarones

RCI-BR.008.0165.001

Pice Bach

Welsh Cakes

RCI-VG.005.0147.001

Pickled Corn Relish

Purchased from Woods Estate in Canton, Texas in 1988. Dated 1941.

Pierogi
RCI-ND.007.0044.002

Pierogi

).

RCI-ND.007.0044.001

Pierogi

).

RCI-SN.001.0294.001

Pierogie Filling:Saurkraut Filling

Poland

RCI-SN.003.0199.001

Pigs-in-Blankets

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-SC.004.0032.001

Pikante Bruine Saus

This spicy brown sauce goes well with hare, venison, wild duck, steak, ox tongue and mutton.

RCI-BR.008.0166.001

Pikelet

are small, thick pancakes, and are standards of the New Zealand kitchen. They are also made in Australia.

RCI-MT.004.0651.001

Pineapple Chicken

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 4 to 6

RCI-BR.006.0262.001

Pineapple Empanadas

Yield: About 2 Dozen

RCI-BR.003.0322.001

PINEAPPLE NUT BREAD

PINEAPPLE NUT BREAD from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0415.001

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake is a sweet treat with baked pineapples.

RCI-BR.005.0504.001

Piparkakut (Gingerbread Cookies)

Piparkakut (Gingerbread Cookies)

RCI-BR.001.0199.001

Placek Swiateczny

Christmas bread cake Placek Swiateczny Makes 1 loaf

RCI-BR.003.0324.001

Plain Biscuits

My own biscuit recipe. Basic bare bones.

RCI-BR.005.0505.001

Plain Cookies

Plain Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0246.001

Plantain Fritters

Plantain Fritters from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0416.001

Plum Cake

Dessert Recipes by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-ND.007.0045.001

Plum Dumplings

In Romanian: Galuste cu prune

RCI-ND.007.0046.001

Plum or Apricot Dumplings

Plum or Apricot Dumplings from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.002.0150.001

Poblano Chili Soup with Chicken and Onion

Yields 4 to 6 servings

RCI-BR.001.0200.001

Pogaca

Nice, simple Turkish flat bread, Serbian-style. (Prep.

RCI-BR.001.0201.001

Pogaca (Farmer's Bread)

1 pogaca Pogaca (Farmer's Bread)

RCI-BR.001.0202.001

Pogacha

Rich bread

RCI-BR.006.0264.001

Polenta Pie

Polenta is an Italian term for a type of corn meal used in northern Italy, and pizza base was originally made with iit.

RCI-BR.003.0326.001

Polish Raisin Scones

Polish Raisin Scones

RCI-BR.005.0507.001

Polka-dot Brownies

Polka-dot Brownies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0659.001

Pollo alla Contadina

Chicken as the farmer's wife would make, copyright 2000, Mario Batali. All rights reserved.

RCI-MT.004.0662.001

Pollo Del Fungo

Dining last night at 407 my two friends and I had an incredible appetizer. The restaurant is very good but this dish alone may justify its existence. We asked the waiter what went into the dish and a few minutes later the chef came out.

RCI-BR.005.0508.002

Polvorones

are a type of Latin-American and Spanish shortbread.

RCI-BR.005.0508.001

Polvorones

are a type of Latin-American and Spanish shortbread.

RCI-BR.002.0087.001

Poori

Poori is a deep fried version of phulka. This deep-fried bread is round, flat and unleavened. It's made with whole-wheat flour, water and Ghee or other fat-the dough is almost identical to that for Chapati. Poori is very popular Pakistan.

RCI-BR.004.0418.001

Poppyseed Cake

Poppyseed Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0100.001

Poppy Seed Kolache

60 pieces Poppy Seed Kolache