Cooking TermsCooking Terms

BakeBake

To cook by dry heat, usually in an oven.To cook by dry heat, usually in an oven.

BarbecueBarbecue To roast meat slowly on a spit To roast meat slowly on a spit

rack or rack over heat-basting rack or rack over heat-basting frequently with a seasoned sauce.frequently with a seasoned sauce.

BeatBeat

To make mixture To make mixture smooth by lifting it smooth by lifting it over and over quickly over and over quickly with a big beating with a big beating stroke or to stroke or to incorporate air incorporate air through the mixture.through the mixture.

BlendBlend To mix two or more To mix two or more

ingredients together ingredients together until well combined.until well combined.

BlanchBlanch

To place foods in To place foods in boiling water boiling water briefly either to briefly either to partially cook them partially cook them or to aid in the or to aid in the removal of the removal of the skin.skin.

BoilBoil

To cook in water or liquid in which bubbles To cook in water or liquid in which bubbles rise continually and break on surface.rise continually and break on surface.

BroilBroil

To cook over, under, or in To cook over, under, or in front of hot coals or a gas or front of hot coals or a gas or electric burner, or other form electric burner, or other form of direct heat.of direct heat.

BrownBrown

To bake, dry, or toast a food until the To bake, dry, or toast a food until the surface is brown.surface is brown.

BrushBrush

To coat food with To coat food with butter, margarine, butter, margarine, or egg-using a or egg-using a small brush.small brush.

CookCook

To prepare food by To prepare food by applying heat in applying heat in any form.any form.

CreamCream

To beat sugar and fat together until fluffy.To beat sugar and fat together until fluffy.

Cut InCut In

To cut fat into flour To cut fat into flour with two knives, or with two knives, or a pastry blender, a pastry blender, until it is until it is distributed in small distributed in small particles particles throughout the throughout the mixture.mixture.

ChopChop

To cut into small To cut into small pieces.pieces.

DiceDice

To cut into very small cubes.To cut into very small cubes.

FlourFlour

To sprinkle or coat with a powered To sprinkle or coat with a powered substance, usually with crumbs or substance, usually with crumbs or seasonings.seasonings.

Fold InFold In

To mix ingredients To mix ingredients by gently turning by gently turning one part over one part over another with a another with a spatula.spatula.

GarnishGarnish

To ornament food-usually To ornament food-usually with another colorful food-with another colorful food-before serving to add eye before serving to add eye appeal.appeal.

GrateGrate To finely divide food in various To finely divide food in various

sizes by rubbing it on a grater sizes by rubbing it on a grater with sharp projections.with sharp projections.

KneadKnead

To work dough with the “heel” of the To work dough with the “heel” of the hands, using a pressing motion, hands, using a pressing motion, accompanied by folding and stretching until accompanied by folding and stretching until smooth and elastic.smooth and elastic.

MinceMince

To cut or chop food as finely as possible.To cut or chop food as finely as possible.

PeelPeel

To remove or strip To remove or strip off the skin or rind off the skin or rind of some fruits and of some fruits and vegetables.vegetables.

RollRoll

To flatten to a To flatten to a desired thickness desired thickness by using a rolling by using a rolling pin.pin.

SauteSaute

To cook in a small amount of fat.To cook in a small amount of fat.

SeasonSeason

To add salt, pepper, or other substances to To add salt, pepper, or other substances to food that enhance the flavor.food that enhance the flavor.

SimmerSimmer

To cook below the boiling point, bubble To cook below the boiling point, bubble form slowly and break on the surface.form slowly and break on the surface.

Steam Steam

To cook in the To cook in the steam generated steam generated by boiling water.by boiling water.

StirStir

To mix by using To mix by using circular motion, circular motion, going around and going around and around until around until blended.blended.

TossToss

To mix ingredients lightly without To mix ingredients lightly without mashing or crushing them.mashing or crushing them.

WhipWhip

To beat rapidly to introduce air bubbles into To beat rapidly to introduce air bubbles into food. (Applied to cream, eggs, and gelatin.)food. (Applied to cream, eggs, and gelatin.)