Day 17 Vocabulary
← Back to HubAl dente
Describes pasta that is cooked so as to be still firm when bitten.
" The pasta was cooked al dente, which gave it a perfect texture."
Baste
To pour juices or melted fat over food while cooking to keep it moist.
" The chef basted the turkey with butter and herbs to keep it moist and flavorful."
Blanch
To scald food in boiling water for a short time.
" The chef blanched the spinach before adding it to the pasta dish."
Braise
To fry food lightly and then stew it slowly in a closed container.
" The chef decided to braise the short ribs in red wine for several hours until they were tender."
Deglaze
To dissolve the remaining food particles in a pan by adding liquid, creating a flavorful sauce.
" The chef deglazed the pan with white wine to create a rich sauce for the chicken."
Emulsion
A mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible, such as oil and water.
" The chef created a creamy emulsion for the salad dressing using a blend of oil and vinegar."
Julienne
To cut food into long, thin strips.
" The chef julienned the carrots and cucumbers for the salad."
Marinate
To soak food in a flavorful liquid to tenderize or flavor it.
" The chef marinated the chicken in a blend of spices and herbs for several hours before grilling it."
Purée
To blend, grind, or mash food to a smooth, thick consistency.
" The chef puréed the potatoes to make a smooth and creamy mash."
Roux
A mixture of fat and flour used in making sauces.
" The chef made a roux with butter and flour to thicken the creamy soup."
Sauté
To cook food quickly in a little fat.
" The chef will sauté the vegetables in a pan with some olive oil and garlic."
Sieve
To separate or remove unwanted particles from a substance.
" The chef sieved the flour to remove any lumps before adding it to the cake batter."
Sous-vide
A method of cooking food sealed in airtight plastic bags in a water bath for a long time at a low temperature.
" The restaurant was known for its sous-vide steak, which was incredibly tender and flavorful."
Umami
A category of taste in food, corresponding to the flavor of glutamates, especially monosodium glutamate.
" The rich, savory flavor of the mushrooms gave the dish a deep umami taste."
Zest
The outer colored part of the peel of a citrus fruit.
" The chef added a bit of lemon zest to the sauce to give it a fresh flavor."