Terrine

A term used to describe both a piece of kitchenware referred to as a "mold" and a type of food dish that is made in the mold, which is typically made of earthenware or china. The term terra which translates from Spanish to English as earth, is a direct reference to the earthenware mold that is typically used to make the food item referred to as a Terrine. When used to describe a type of kitchenware, the Terrine is a deep sided mold that is used for baking, steaming and freezing foods that are formed from the shape of the Terrine mold so they can be removed and retain their molded shape. Desserts, pates, meat loaves, and vegetable dishes are a few of the items commonly made as Terrines. Individual layers of different ingredients, each adding to and enhancing the flavor of the surrounding layers, are stacked together so that when the Terrine is sliced the various layers can be easily displayed. The most common Terrine shapes are either oval or retangular with the actual Terrine mold consisting of both the deep-sided dish as well as a cover for the dish. It is not uncommon for desserts and a variety of food dishes that are baked and formed with the use of steel or tin meat loaf pans to be referred to as Terrines, both in reference to the pan and the food. This type of pan may also be referred to as deep dish baking casserole or a deep dish stoneware baker or a deep sided pottery baking dish.