Common Culinary Terms,
reading a recipe and are not sure about some of the terms included? Don’t worry, there is a list of common culinary terms for just that situation! Take a look at the list to get cooking:
Al dente
adverb
To cook food until just firm, usually referring to pasta, but can include vegetables.
Example: I had the linguine and calamari served al dente in a nice red sauce.
en: Al dente
Bake
noun
A dish consisting of a mixture of ingredients cooked in an oven.
Example: Bread is baked in an oven
en: Pobi
Baste
Verb
Pour fat or juices over (meat) during cooking in order to keep it moist.
Example: Melt the seasoned butter in the microwave and thoroughly baste the lobster tails. Baste the flesh-side of the lobster again and grill for an additional three to six minutes or until the lobster meat is firm and opaque, but not dry.
en: Digon
Beat
verb
Beating. This is the rigorous mixing of ingredients using a wooden spoon, electric whisk, food mixer or food processor. The purpose is to thoroughly combine ingredients and to incorporate air, making cakes light and fluffy.
en: Curo
Braise
verb
Fry (food) lightly and then stew it slowly in a closed container.
Example: "I braised the beef and vegetables the day before"
en: brwysi
Caramelise
verb
(with reference to sugar) convert or be converted into caramel through heating.
"cook over medium heat until the sugar caramelises"
Example: The onions will take five minutes to caramelise.
en: Caramelise
Dice
noun
small cubes of food.
Example: An uncomfortable silence surrounded them for a while as Rachel diced tomatoes and Adrienne chopped the lettuce.
en: Dis
Julienne
noun
A portion of food cut into short, thin strips.
"a julienne of vegetables"
Example: julienne cucumber, put in mixing bowl, add in crab meat, mayonnaise and mustard, mix well. Sprinkle fish roe on top, ready to serve.
en: Julienne
Sauté
verb
To cook in a small amount of fat; pan-fry.
Example: In the same skillet, sauté the mushrooms, onion and celery until crisp-tender.
en: Sauté
Steaming
Steaming is a method of cooking using steam. This is often done with a food steamer, a kitchen appliance made specifically to cook food with steam, but food can also be steamed in a wok.
Example: I just loved steamed mussels in a wine sauce. My little sister burnt her arm when she opened a pot of boiling water, and all the steam came out at once.
