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Essential Cooking Terms
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Al Dente
Refers to pasta or rice that is cooked to be firm to the bite.
Bake
To cook food in an oven using dry heat.
Blanch
To plunge food briefly into boiling water, then into ice water to stop the cooking process.
Braise
To cook food slowly in a small amount of liquid in a covered pot.
Broil
To cook food using direct heat from above.
Caramelize
To heat sugar until it turns brown, often used to sweeten and flavor foods.
Chop
To cut food into more or less uniform pieces.
Clarinify
To make a liquid clear by removing sediments or floating impurities.
Dice
To cut into small cubes of uniform size and shape.
Emulsify
To combine two ingredients together which do not normally mix well, like oil and vinegar.
Ferment
A cooking process where food is converted into alcohol or organic acids through microorganisms like yeast or bacteria.
Flambé
To pour liquor over food and ignite it.
Fold
To gently combine a light, airy mixture with a heavier one.
Garnish
To add small amounts of food to enhance the presentation and flavor of a dish.
Grate
To shred food into fine pieces using a grater.
Infuse
To extract flavor or color from ingredients such as tea leaves or herbs by steeping them in a liquid.
Julienne
To cut food into thin, matchstick-sized strips.
Knead
To work dough with the hands to combine ingredients and develop gluten.
Macérate
To soak fruit in liquid so as to infuse it with flavor, or to soften it.
Marinate
To soak food in a flavorful liquid for a period of time to impart flavor and/or tenderize.
Parboil
To partially cook food by boiling it briefly before finishing it by another method.
Poach
To cook food gently in liquid just below the boiling point.
Purée
To blend or mash food until it forms a smooth, thick consistency.
Reduce
To cook a liquid until its quantity decreases through evaporation, intensifying flavor and thickening the consistency.
Roast
To cook food uncovered using dry heat in an oven.
Sauté
To cook food quickly in a small amount of fat over relatively high heat.
Sear
To brown the surface of food quickly at a high temperature.
Season
To add herbs, spices, or other ingredients to food to enhance its flavor.
Simmer
To maintain liquid at a temperature just below boiling.
Steam
To cook food by exposing it to steam without immersing it in water.
Stew
To cook food slowly and for a long time in liquid.
Whip
To beat food rapidly to incorporate air and develop light, airy texture.
Zest
To scrape the outer, colored layer of citrus peel, adding flavor to food.
Baste
To moisten foods during cooking with pan drippings or sauce to add flavor and prevent drying.
Chiffonade
A preparation of shredded or finely cut leafy vegetables, used as a garnish for soup.
Deglaze
To dissolve the small particles of sautéed meat and vegetables after cooking by adding liquid and stirring.
Fillet
To cut meat or fish from the bone.
Glaze
To coat foods with a glossy mixture such as jelly or sauce.
Hull
To remove the green stem from strawberries and other fruits.
Macerate
To soften or break up by soaking in a liquid, often used with dried fruit.
Pan-fry
To cook food in an oil-coated pan over medium to high heat.
Quenelle
A smooth, oval shape of soft food made with two spoons and used as an elegant presentation.
Render
To cook fatty meat or poultry—such as bacon or goose—slowly to extract fat.
Sous-vide
A method of cooking in which food is placed in a plastic pouch or glass jar and cooked in a water bath for longer than normal cooking times at an accurately regulated temperature.
Sweat
To cook food gently in a little oil or butter, with frequent stirring and tossing.
Temper
To slowly mix a hot liquid with a cold one to prevent the cold liquid from curdling, or to stabilize chocolate.
Truss
To tie up meat or poultry with string to hold its shape during cooking.
Velouté
A smooth, velvety sauce made by thickening chicken, veal, or fish stock with a roux.
Whisk
To beat or stir with a lightweight utensil to incorporate air and increase volume.
Yield
The amount of food that results from cooking or producing a recipe.
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