Germany has more than 50 varieties of bratwurst; each region of the country specializes in its own type, from the 10-inch Coburger bratwurst traditionally seasoned with nutmeg and lemon zest, to the 3-inch Nurnberger served with potato salad and horseradish.

Wontons, also referred to as wonton wrappers, are made with ingredients similar those used in pasta and made in small, square sheet form. Wonton wrappers come from Chinese culture and can be prepared in several ways, from boiling for a soft texture to baking in the oven for a crispy outside.

Parsley is a member of the carrot family that includes celery, fennel, anise and dill. Parsley root is light beige, shaped like a carrot, but slender like a parsnip. The flavor is described as a taste between celery and carrots with a little parsley leaf and turnip.

A staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and African diets, couscous is made from semolina and water. Cooked couscous has a fluffy texture and mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of seasonings and dishes.

The Big Green Egg is a versatile outdoor cooker with features that set it apart from other grills. It's designed specifically for use with hardwood charcoal, which burns hotter than briquettes and adds a delicious smoky flavor to your food.

Pies from scratch can take several hours to make, when you factor in the time it takes to prepare the dough, make the filling and assemble the dessert. Many home bakers find that it's worth it to make a second pie at the same time.

Bouillon gravy works perfectly well for gravy lovers such as comedian Erma Bombeck who said she came "from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." If you take care when making the gravy, it will also work well for everyone else.

A medium-sized potato baked with its skin intact is a versatile, low-fat source of dietary fiber and essential nutrients like potassium, copper, iron, manganese, vitamin B-6, vitamin C and niacin.

Using a pancake mix is one of the easiest ways create onion rings with a puffy, slightly crisp coating. Pancake mixes are convenient because they already come with baking soda, baking powder, sugar and a dash of salt mixed into flour. You only need to add water to create a thick batter.

Pinto beans have countless culinary uses as well as a range of nutritional benefits. According to Martha Archuleta of New Mexico State University, 1 cup of pinto beans contains 1/4 of the USDA's recommended daily protein intake. Pintos are also an excellent source of fiber, B vitamins, niacin, thiamin and riboflavin.

Barley is one of the oldest grains, with a history of cultivation dating back over 8,000 years. A 1-cup serving of cooked barley contains 193 calories, less than 1 g of fat, 3.6 g of protein and 6 g of fiber.

Ideally, you cook macaroni and other pastas in boiling water on the stovetop. The website for Barilla's, the maker of Italian foods, has no mention of microwave cooking, and Mueller's, another pasta site, notes that only pasta specially made for microwaves should be cooked that way.