Learn the Lingo

Cooking and Baking

 Terms and Techniques

The following are important terms and techniques you may need to know before you start cooking or baking.  If you are unsure of any cooking words, always ask an adult for help.

Aldente – Food such as pasta or vegetables, cooked until tender but still firm, not soft.

Bake – To cook in an oven.

Beat – Mixing ingredients together with a fork, whisk, or mixer.

Boil – To heat liquid to the point that it bubbles vigorously.

Brown – Cooking food until it looks brown on the outside.

Chill – To place food in the refrigerator to make it cool.

Chop – To cut in small pieces on a cutting board.

Cooling Rack – A rectangular metal grid with small holes used to cool hot items on, like cookies.

Cream – To mix butter and sugar together until it becomes creamy.

Cube – To cut food in small square pieces.

Dash – A small amount of an ingredient such as salt and pepper, meaning to shake out in drops from a shaker.

Dice – Cut in cubes of the same small pieces.

Drain – To pour off the liquid through a colander or strainer.

Drizzle – To sprinkle drops of liquid through a colander or strainer.

Fold – To gently combine ingredients together from top to bottom until they are just mixed together, but not over mixed.

Grease – To spread the bottom and sides of a pan with cooking spray oil, shortening, butter or margarine.  This keeps food from sticking to the pan.

Knead – To mix and work dough, usually with the hands, by folding, pressing, and squeezing.

Mince – To chop very finely.

Mix – To stir ingredients with a spoon.

Saute’ – To fry briefly over medium to high heat.

Separating an Egg – Crack the egg on the edge of a bowl.  Using your thumbs, gently open the shell in two halves.  Pour the egg from one shell half to the other, letting the egg white fall into the bowl, while the yolk stays in the shell.

Simmer – To boil slowly at a low temperature.

Toss – Mixing ingredients by lifting them with a spoon or fork and then letting them drop back in the bowl.  You do this when you mix green salad ingredients.

Whisk – To beat ingredients together with a wire whip until well blended.