Cookery Terms and Definitions


Many terms are used exclusively in cooking. You need to know what they mean in order to understand even basic recipes. Some of the most common are defined here:

Appetizers: a small serving of food or beverage served before a meal or the main                             course of a meal to stimulate one's appetite
Bake:          to cook on dry heat.
Beverage:   a drink other than water.
Blanch:      to pre-heat in boiling water or steam for few minutes. Use to remove the                         skin from nuts and fruits.
Blend:        to thoroughly mix two or more ingredients.
Boil:           to cook in steaming liquid.
Canapé:      a tiny piece of bread or a cracker which is topped with an appetizer.
Caramelize: to melt sugar and cook until golden brown.
Chop:          to cut food into small pieces.
Complimentary: food in meal as rice or roti.
Crouton:      cubes of toasted or fried bread used in soups, salad and in garnishes
Dessert:       the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal which gives the feeling of                              satisfaction or fullness.
Fillet :          long thin boneless strips of fish or lean meat.
Flake:          to break lightly into small pieces with a fork.
Frost:           covered with icing.
Garnish:       to decorate the food with contrasting colors.
Main dish or main course: Main dish is said to be the main dish of the menu which                             mostly contain meat in it.
Mash:           to reduce to soft pulpy state
Roast:           to cook by dry heat usually in oven.
Sauté:           to cook in small amount of fat on low heat with frequent turning.
Season:         to add salt, pepper, spices, herbs etc. for improving the flavor.
Side dish:      a side dish, referred to as a side item, or simply a side food item that                              accompanies the main course.
Sift:                to pass through a sieve.
Simmer:         to cook in liquid at a temperature just below boiling point.
Stir:                to mix food material with circular motion in order to blend them to                                 produce a uniform consistency.
Stock:             the liquid in which meat, poultry, fish or vegetables have been cooked.
Toss:               to lightly mix ingredients without mashing them.
Whip:             to beat rapidly to increase volume by the incorporation of air.

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