Table of Contents
25 Essential Words Related to Cooking
Cooking is an art and a science. To truly master the culinary arts, understanding key cooking terms can greatly enhance your skills and confidence in the kitchen. Here are 25 essential words related to cooking, complete with meanings, pronunciations, parts of speech, common prepositions, and usage examples.
1. Recipe
– Pronunciation: /ˈrɛsɪpi/
– Part of Speech: Noun (countable)
– Meaning: A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required.
– Common Prepositions: “for,” “from”
– Usage:
1. She found a recipe for chocolate cake online.
2. He followed the recipe from his grandmother’s cookbook.
3. The recipe calls for fresh herbs.
4. They shared a recipe for homemade pasta.
2. Ingredient
– Pronunciation: /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/
– Part of Speech: Noun (countable)
– Meaning: Any of the foods or substances that are combined to make a particular dish.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “of”
– Usage:
1. The main ingredient in this dish is chicken.
2. She listed all the ingredients of the soup.
3. Fresh ingredients are essential for a good meal.
4. They searched for rare ingredients in the market.
3. Sauté
– Pronunciation: /soʊˈteɪ/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Sauté, sautés, sautéing, sautéed
– Meaning: To fry quickly in a small amount of fat.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She sautéed the vegetables in olive oil.
2. He is sautéing mushrooms with garlic.
3. The chef sautéed the onions until they were golden brown.
4. They sautéed the meat in butter for extra flavor.
4. Simmer
– Pronunciation: /ˈsɪmər/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Simmer, simmers, simmering, simmered
– Meaning: To cook gently just at or below the boiling point.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She simmered the soup in a large pot.
2. He is simmering the sauce with fresh herbs.
3. The stew was simmered for hours to enhance the flavor.
4. They let the broth simmer on low heat.
5. Marinate
– Pronunciation: /ˈmærɪˌneɪt/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Marinate, marinates, marinating, marinated
– Meaning: To soak food in a seasoned liquid to add flavor and tenderize.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She marinated the chicken in a mixture of lemon and herbs.
2. He is marinating the beef with soy sauce and garlic.
3. The fish was marinated for two hours before cooking.
4. They marinated the vegetables in a vinaigrette.
6. Whisk
– Pronunciation: /wɪsk/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Whisk, whisks, whisking, whisked
– Meaning: To beat or stir with a light, rapid movement.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She whisked the eggs in a bowl.
2. He is whisking the batter with a wire whisk.
3. The chef whisked the cream until it was fluffy.
4. They whisked the sauce vigorously.
7. Bake
– Pronunciation: /beɪk/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Bake, bakes, baking, baked
– Meaning: To cook food by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “at”
– Usage:
1. She baked a cake in the oven.
2. He is baking bread at 350 degrees.
3. The cookies were baked to perfection.
4. They baked the lasagna until it was golden brown.
8. Broil
– Pronunciation: /brɔɪl/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Broil, broils, broiling, broiled
– Meaning: To cook food using direct, high heat from above.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “under”
– Usage:
1. She broiled the steak in the oven.
2. He is broiling fish under the broiler.
3. The vegetables were broiled until they were charred.
4. They broiled the chicken for a crispy skin.
9. Knead
– Pronunciation: /niːd/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Knead, kneads, kneading, kneaded
– Meaning: To work dough or clay into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She kneaded the dough with her hands.
2. He is kneading the bread dough into a smooth ball.
3. The baker kneaded the dough thoroughly.
4. They kneaded the clay into different shapes.
10. Garnish
– Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːrnɪʃ/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Garnish, garnishes, garnishing, garnished
– Meaning: To decorate or embellish a dish with a small amount of food.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “on”
– Usage:
1. She garnished the soup with fresh parsley.
2. He is garnishing the salad with nuts.
3. The chef garnished the plate with edible flowers.
4. They garnished the dessert with mint leaves.
11. Roast
– Pronunciation: /roʊst/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Roast, roasts, roasting, roasted
– Meaning: To cook food by prolonged exposure to heat in an oven or over a fire.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She roasted the chicken in the oven.
2. He is roasting vegetables with olive oil.
3. The meat was roasted until tender.
4. They roasted the turkey for Thanksgiving.
12. Blend
– Pronunciation: /blɛnd/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Blend, blends, blending, blended
– Meaning: To mix substances thoroughly.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She blended the ingredients with a hand mixer.
2. He is blending the spices into the sauce.
3. The chef blended the soup until smooth.
4. They blended the flavors perfectly.
13. Dice
– Pronunciation: /daɪs/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Dice, dices, dicing, diced
– Meaning: To cut food into small, equal-sized cubes.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She diced the onions with a sharp knife.
2. He is dicing the carrots into small pieces.
3. The vegetables were diced finely.
4. They diced the potatoes for the stew.
14. Season
– Pronunciation: /ˈsiːzən/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Season, seasons, seasoning, seasoned
– Meaning: To add salt, herbs, or spices to food to enhance its flavor.
– Common Prepositions:“with,” “for”
– Usage:
1. She seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. He is seasoning the soup for extra flavor.
3. The chef seasoned the steak perfectly.
4. They seasoned the vegetables with herbs.
15. Mince
– Pronunciation: /mɪns/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Mince, minces, mincing, minced
– Meaning: To cut food, especially meat, into very small pieces using a machine or knife.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She minced the garlic with a press.
2. He is mincing the meat into tiny pieces.
3. The recipe called for minced onions.
4. They minced the herbs finely.
16. Boil
– Pronunciation: /bɔɪl/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Boil, boils, boiling, boiled
– Meaning: To heat a liquid until it reaches its boiling point and begins to vaporize.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She boiled the pasta in salted water.
2. He is boiling potatoes with their skins on.
3. The water boiled rapidly on the stove.
4. They boiled the eggs for breakfast.
17. Grill
– Pronunciation: /ɡrɪl/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Grill, grills, grilling, grilled
– Meaning: To cook food using direct heat, typically on a metal grate.
– Common Prepositions: “on,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She grilled the steaks on the barbecue.
2. He is grilling vegetables with a little oil.
3. The fish was grilled to perfection.
4. They grilled the burgers for lunch.
18. Caramelize
– Pronunciation: /ˈkærəməˌlaɪz/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Caramelize, caramelizes, caramelizing, caramelized
– Meaning: To heat sugar until it turns into caramel.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “in”
– Usage:
1. She caramelized the onions with a bit of sugar.
2. He is caramelizing the apples for the dessert.
3. The sugar caramelized quickly in the pan.
4. They caramelized the top of the crème brûlée.
19. Slice
– Pronunciation: /slaɪs/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Slice, slices, slicing, sliced
– Meaning: To cut something into thin, flat pieces.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She sliced the bread with a sharp knife.
2. He is slicing the tomatoes into thin rounds.
3. The meat was sliced thinly.
4. They sliced the cheese for the platter.
20. Peel
– Pronunciation: /piːl/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Peel, peels, peeling, peeled
– Meaning: To remove the outer covering or skin from a fruit or vegetable.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “off”
– Usage:
1. She peeled the potatoes with a peeler.
2. He is peeling the apples for the pie.
3. The oranges were peeled quickly.
4. They peeled the carrots and cut them into sticks.
21. Steam
– Pronunciation: /stiːm/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Steam, steams, steaming, steamed
– Meaning: To cook food by heating it in steam from boiling water.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She steamed the vegetables in a bamboo steamer.
2. He is steaming fish with lemon and herbs.
3. The dumplings were steamed to perfection.
4. They steamed the broccoli for a healthy side dish.
22. Poach
– Pronunciation: /poʊtʃ/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Poach, poaches, poaching, poached
– Meaning: To cook food gently in a small amount of liquid just below boiling point.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She poached the eggs in simmering water.
2. He is poaching the fish with white wine.
3. The pears were poached in red wine.
4. They poached the chicken breasts for the salad.
23. Chop
– Pronunciation: /tʃɒp/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Chop, chops, chopping, chopped
– Meaning: To cut into pieces with repeated sharp blows of a knife.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She chopped the onions with a large knife.
2. He is chopping the vegetables into small pieces.
3. The parsley was chopped finely.
4. They chopped the garlic for the recipe.
24. Sift
– Pronunciation: /sɪft/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Sift, sifts, sifting, sifted
– Meaning: To put a dry ingredient through a sieve to remove lumps or large particles.
– Common Prepositions: “with,” “into”
– Usage:
1. She sifted the flour with a fine mesh sieve.
2. He is sifting the powdered sugar onto the cake.
3. The cocoa powder was sifted into the batter.
4. They sifted the ingredients together to combine them.
25. Melt
– Pronunciation: /mɛlt/
– Part of Speech: Verb
– Forms: Melt, melts, melting, melted
– Meaning: To make or become liquefied by heat.
– Common Prepositions: “in,” “with”
– Usage:
1. She melted the chocolate in a double boiler.
2. He is melting the butter with garlic.
3. The cheese melted beautifully on top of the pizza.
4. They melted the sugar into a caramel.
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Short Story Using All 25 Words
Sarah loved to cook and decided to prepare a special dinner for her friends. She started by browsing through her grandmother’s old recipe book, looking for something unique. She decided on a chicken dish that required several fresh ingredients
First, she had to marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. While the chicken was marinating, Sarah prepared the vegetables. She diced the onions and chopped the garlic with her favorite knife. She then sautéed them in a pan until they were fragrant.
Next, she moved on to making the side dish. She boiled potatoes in salted water and then mashed them with butter and cream. For a special touch, she decided to caramelize some onions to mix into the mashed potatoes. The sweet, golden onions would add a delicious flavor.
Sarah wanted to serve a light, fresh salad with the meal. She sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and peeled carrots to add to the salad. She then prepared a simple vinaigrette by blending olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. She seasoned the dressing with salt and pepper and tossed it with the vegetables.
As the chicken was ready, she roasted it in the oven, basting it occasionally with its own juices to keep it moist. While the chicken was roasting, she decided to bake some fresh bread. She sifted and kneaded the dough with her hands until it was smooth and elastic. After letting it rise, she baked the bread in the oven until it was golden brown.
To accompany the meal, Sarah also decided to make a quick dessert. She melted chocolate and butter together, and then added sugar, eggs, and flour. After mixing everything thoroughly, she poured the batter into a baking dish and baked it in the oven until it was just set.
Before her friends arrived, Sarah finished off by making a simple yet elegant garnish for the chicken. She garnished the dish with fresh herbs and lemon slices. The house was filled with delicious aromas, and everything looked perfect.
When her friends arrived, they were impressed by the meal. The roasted chicken was tender and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were rich and creamy, and the salad was fresh and vibrant. The freshly baked bread was a hit, and the dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful dinner. Sarah’s cooking skills had truly shone that evening, and her friends left feeling satisfied and grateful.
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By familiarizing yourself with these essential cooking terms, you can enhance your culinary skills and impress your friends and family with delicious homemade meals. Happy cooking!
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