Cooking Terms

To press, fold, and stretch dough until it is smooth and uniform. Usually done by pressing with the heels of the hands

• Stir

• Sift

• Knead

• Marinate

To cook food using dry heat, usually in an oven.

• Broil

• Simmer

• Boil

• Bake

To set an oven to the desired cooking temperature in advance of using it, so that it has time to reach that temperature before putting the food in to be cooked.

• Preheat

• Bake

• Cook

• Broil

To lightly coat with oil, butter, margarine, or non-stick spray so food does not stick when cooking or baking

• Cream

• Grease

• Broil

• Bake

To stir or mix an ingredient rapidly to add air.

• Sift

• Fold

• Knead

• Beat

To cook quickly in a little oil or butter.

• Broil

• Saute

• Al dente

• Baste

To cook in liquid at a temperature until bubbles rise to the surface and break.

• Simmer

• Broil

• Boil

• Combine

To cook in liquid over low heat so that bubles just begin to break the surface

• Simmer

• Broil

• Boil

• Bake

To gently mix a light, fluffy mixture into a heavier one using a rubber scraper

• Fold

• Whip

• Mash

• Beat

To mix shortening with dry ingredients using a pastry blender or two knives moving against each other.

• Blend

• Cut in

• Knead

• Mince