Basic Cooking Terms


·         bake – to cook in an oven.

·         barbeque – to roast or broil over hot coals or in an oven.

·         baste – to keep food moist and flavorful by brushing prepared sauce, pan drippings or other liquid over the surface of the food while cooking.

·         batter  - a mixture of flour and other ingredients such as milk, eggs, baking powder and seasonings, used as the basis for cakes, fritters, coatings or pancakes.

·         beat – to mix ingredients together with a circular up and down motion using a whisk or a spoon or a rotary or electric beater.

·         blacnh  – to plunge food into boiling water to soften it to remove unwanted flavor or partially precook it.

·         blend – to stir, rather than beat, ingredients until they are thoroughly combined.

·         boil – to heat or cook in a liquid with temperature of 212 degrees characterized by a steady bubbling action. In a rapid or rolling boil, the bubbles are vigorous; in a medium boil the bubbles are gentle. In a very slow boil or simmer the liquid hardly move.

·         braise – to brown meat or poultry in a small amount of fat, season add a little water or other liquid. Cover and simmer over low heat till tender.

·         broth -  stock or bouillon made by cooking meat, fish, poultry or vegetable in liquid.

·         brown – to turn the surface of food brown by cooking quickly in hot fat to seal in the juices and natural flavor of the food.

·         carmelize – to cook sugar with a small amount of water until it turns into a thick golden brown syrup.

·         chop- to cut into small pieces with the use of knife, chopper or blender.

·         coat- to cover food lightly but thoroughly with either a liquid or a dry substance flour.

·         combine – to mix or blend together two or more ingredients.

·         Condiments – any seasoning added to food to enhance its flavor, It generally refers to prepared sauces and relishes eaten with food.

·         Correct seasoning – to taste food while cooking and to add more seasoning required.

·         Cream – to rub softened fat as butter or shortening and sugar against sides of bowl with a wooden spoon until light in color and creamy.. Or use electric mixer.

·         Cube- to cut into a small equal sized squares generally ¼ to ½ inch.

·         Deep fry- to cook food immersed in hot fat oil.

·         Devein- to remove the black vein running along shrimp back with a knife.
·         Dice-  to cut into very small even cubes.

·         Dilute – to add liquid o another substance to thin or weaken it.

·         Dissolve- to make a solution by adding liquid to a solid substance or by heating it until it melts.
·         Dough- flour and liquid mixture which can be shaped and worked by hand.

·         Drain- to remove liquid mixture by putting the food in a colander or strainer until the liquid has dropped off.

·         Dredge- to coat food heavily with a dry mixture such as flour, sugar, breads crumbs and seasoning.
·         Dust- to sprinkle the surface of food lightly with sugar, flour or crumbs
·         Flake – o break into small pieces with a fork as in cooked fish.

·         Frosting –another term for icing; a sweet thick and creamy coating for cakes and cookies.

·         Ganish- to decorate food by adding other attractive foodstuffs

·         Grate – to reduce food or fine particles by rubbing it on grater.

·         Grease- to rub fat or oil onto the surface of food or utensils.

·         Grill- o cook on a grill or gridiron oven hot coals or under a hot broiler.

·         Grind – to cu food into small pieces with a mill or food grinder.

·         Knead – to work dough by pressing again until it is light and springy.

·         Marinade – any seasoned liquid in which food, usually meat, poultry or fish is place to enhance its flavor and make it tender.

·         Mash to soften food by pressing I with the back of a spoon or a masher or press.
·         Meringue – stiffly beaten mixture of egg white and sugar.

·         Mince- to cut or chop into very small pieces.

·         Sauté- to coo in a small amount of fat.

·         Sear- to brown he surface of the food quickly over or under intense heat.

·         Season- to add salt, pepper or other herbs or spices to improve the taste.

·         Simmer – to cook slowly over very low heat; the surface of the liquid should show only a few bubbles breaking slowly.

·         Steam- to cook by vapor from boiling liquid rising through the food.

·         Stir-  to mix ingredients with a circular motion until well blended.

·         Stock- the liquid in which meat, poultry, fish or vegetables have been cooked often use as basis of soups, sauces or gravies.

·         Whip – to beat rapidly to incorporate air and produce expansion with a whisk or an electric beater as in cream, gelatin or egg whites