Foods I Unit 4: Culinary Terms
To cook in the refrigerator Ex: Chill the pudding pie in the refrigerator in order to solidify.
A thick mixture shaped by hand. Ex: Pasta and pizza dough are very thick.
To save and use later. Ex: Reserve 1c. of flour.
To cook in a bubbling liquid. Ex: Boil pasta in water of 212 F.
A thin mixture that can be poured. Ex: Pour the chocolate pancake batter onto a hot griddle.
Mix very fast, usually with an electric mixer. Ex: Beat the sugar and eggs until creamy.
To moisten food with a liquid. Ex: Baste the turkey with juice before placing it in the oven.
A dry heat method used in cooking. Ex: Roast the potatoes at 400° for 40 minutes.
Cook over or under direct heat. Ex: Broil steak 3 inches from the top for 4-5 minutes.
Mix two or more ingredients together. Ex: Blend milk, flour, and eggs together until smooth.
To cut into rough, small pieces. Ex: Chop a small yellow onion before adding it to the ground beef.
To beat until smooth. Ex: Cream together the butter and sugar.
To distribute a solid fat (shortening) into a dry substance (flour). Ex: Use the pastry blender to cut in the shortening into the flour.
To cover food with another food (flour). Ex: Coat the onions in batter before frying them.
A very small amount (~1/8 t.) Ex: A dash of salt.
Scatter bits of food over another. Ex: Dot butter over the pecan pie before baking.
Pour off the Liquid. Ex: Drain pasta in colander before serving.
A moist heat cooking method using a high temperature fat substance (oil). Ex: Fry the jalapenos in oil for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce solid food to shreds. Ex: Grate cabbage before adding it to the salad.
To rub equipment or utensils with oil. Ex: Grease the cake pan before pouring in the cake batter.
To cut foods in cube sides. (6 equal sides) Ex: Dice (small cut) the onion.
Long thin strips. Ex: Batonnet the potatoes.
To work the dough by hand. Ex: Knead the pizza dough.
A gentle up and over motion by hand. Ex: Fold in the cooled custard mixture to the egg white foam.
Very fine rough pieces. Ex: Mince the garlic.
Cook over low heat just below the boiling point, then cool it down. Ex: Scald the milk before adding it to the mixture.
To remove the outer skin. Ex: Pare the apples for the pie filling.
To brown the surface of the food. Ex: Sear the scallops for 1 ½ minutes on each side then bake it.
To cook food in a shallow amount of liquid. Ex: Cover pan and poach eggs for 4 minutes, until egg white is fully cooked.
Pierce with a fork. Ex: Prick the ham to ensure doneness.
Pass dry ingredients through a sieve to remove lumps and add air. Ex: Sift 2 cups of powdered sugar into the mixing bowl.
To cook quickly in a small amount of fat. Ex: Sauté the mushrooms for 3-4 minutes in a sauté pan.
Heat until tiny bubbles form around the edge. Ex: Lower heat and simmer sauce for 10 minutes.
Remove fat from the surface. Ex: Skim the fat from the top of the soup.
Circular motion by hand to combine ingredients. Ex: Add dry ingredients in three increments and stir each time.
To cook using steam from water with/without pressure. Ex: Steam broccoli for 5 minutes.
To remove liquid from a food using a sieve. Ex: Strain soup before baking.
Combine foods gently. Ex: Toss salad until ingredients are even throughout.
To add air and volume using a fast motion. Ex: Whisk the batter until large lumps disappear.