Food and Drink Preparation - Mechanical Cooking Methods

Here you will learn some English words related to mechanical cooking methods such as "julienne", "mill", and "blend".

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Food and Drink Preparation
to beat [verb]

to repeatedly mix something using a spoon, fork, etc.

Ex: He used a whisk to beat the cream into soft peaks .
to blend [verb]

to combine different substances together

Ex: To achieve the perfect aroma , the perfumer blended different scents .
to blitz [verb]

to blend or process food quickly and thoroughly in a blender, food processor, or similar appliance until smooth or finely chopped

Ex: We need to blitz the tomatoes for the salsa recipe .
to bone [verb]

to remove the bones from meat, fish, or poultry, often to make it easier to cook or eat

to kill and prepare animals, typically for food

Ex: The family gathers each year to butcher a pig for their winter food supply .

to spread a smooth, creamy substance on something, usually using a knife

Ex: Butter the corn on the cob before sprinkling it with salt .
to carve [verb]

to cut a piece of cooked meat into smaller pieces

Ex: With precision and expertise , the caterer carved the glazed ham into bite-sized chunks .

a technique in which herbs or leafy vegetables are finely sliced or shredded into thin, ribbon-like strips

to chip [verb]

to break a small piece off something

Ex:
to churn [verb]

to stir cream very hard until it transforms into butter

Ex: Churning cream requires patience and strong arm muscles .
to clean [verb]

to trim or cut off excess fat, gristle, or other undesirable portions from meat or poultry before cooking

Ex: He is cleaning the chicken thighs , removing any unwanted skin .
to core [verb]

to remove the central part from a fruit, vegetable, or similar item

Ex: The chef demonstrated how to core the bell peppers for stuffing with rice and vegetables .

to prepare vegetables or fruits, especially tomatoes, by removing the seeds, peeling, and cutting them into big pieces

Ex: To prepare the salsa , first , you need to concasse the tomatoes .
to cream [verb]

to make a substance smooth by beating or mixing

Ex: Use a mixer to cream the eggs and milk for the custard .
to cube [verb]

to cut something into small, equal, square-shaped pieces

Ex: They will cube the tofu for the stir-fry tomorrow , adding protein to the dish .
to curry [verb]

to flavor food with a mix of spices commonly used in Indian cuisines

Ex: Curry the rice with cinnamon , cardamom , and cloves for a fragrant side dish .
to cut [verb]

to divide a thing into smaller pieces using a sharp object

Ex: Sarah cuts fabric to make a dress .

to remove seeds from fruits, vegetables, or other foods

to dice [verb]

to cut food into small cubes

Ex: He carefully diced the carrots to ensure even cooking .

a flattened piece of dough used as a base for various baked goods or pastries

to coat or cover food, typically with flour or breadcrumbs, before cooking

Ex: Before placing the cutlets in the oven , the cook dredged them in a coating of Parmesan and breadcrumbs .
to dress [verb]

to add seasonings, sauces, or other toppings to enhance the flavor or appearance of food

Ex: She dressed the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley .

to pour a thin, fine stream of liquid, such as sauce, oil, or syrup, over food

Ex: The chef carefully drizzles olive oil over the bruschetta , giving it a glossy finish .
egg wash [noun]

a mixture of beaten eggs and liquid used to brush onto the surface of dough or other baked goods before baking

to filet [verb]

to prepare or cut a piece of meat or fish into boneless, flat pieces, typically removing bones in the process

Ex:
to flake [verb]

to break or separate into small, thin pieces, usually using a fork or fingers

to gently mix one ingredient into another by lifting and turning the mixture with a spatula or spoon

Ex:

to slice food, typically vegetables, into long, thin strips or ribbons

Ex: Tomorrow , they will french the cucumbers for the appetizer , enhancing its visual appeal .

to make food look more delicious by decorating it

Ex: He garnished the main course with a slice of lemon and a sprig of rosemary .
to grate [verb]

to cut food into small pieces or shreds using a tool with sharp holes

Ex:
to gut [verb]

to remove the internal organs or intestines, typically from an animal, often for food preparation

Ex: They will gut the chickens for the barbecue party tomorrow .
to hull [verb]

to remove the outer covering or husk from a seed or grain

Ex: We hired workers to hull the soybeans on the farm before packaging them for sale .
to joint [verb]

to prepare meat by cutting or separating it at the natural points of articulation, often in preparation for cooking

Ex: They will joint the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner .
to juice [verb]

to extract liquid from fruits, vegetables, or other sources, typically by pressing or squeezing

Ex: She juices fresh vegetables every morning for a nutritious start to her day .

to cut food, especially vegetables, into thin, matchstick-sized strips

Ex: They are julienning the cucumbers for a refreshing crunch in the salad .
to knead [verb]

to form and press dough or wet clay with the hands

Ex: The potter skillfully kneaded the wet clay on the wheel to shape it into a vase .
to ladle [verb]

to serve or transfer a liquid or food using a ladle

Ex: He ladled the hot chocolate into mugs , garnishing each with a dollop of whipped cream .
to mash [verb]

to crush food into a soft mass

Ex: He mashed the cooked carrots and parsnips together to create a flavorful vegetable side dish .
to mill [verb]

to grind or crush something, especially grains or other materials, using a mechanical device or equipment

Ex: To make homemade pasta , she milled the wheat into fine flour .
to mince [verb]

to cut meat or other food into very small pieces, usually using a meat grinder or a sharp knife

Ex: Use a meat grinder to mince the beef for the meatballs .
to mix [verb]

to combine two or more distinct substances or elements to form a unified whole

Ex: She skillfully mixed the colors on the palette to achieve the desired shade for her painting .
to pare [verb]

to peel or strip away the outer layer of a fruit, vegetable, or other foods

Ex: They have pared the carrots for the salad .
to peel [verb]

to remove the skin or outer layer of something, such as fruit, etc.

Ex: Use a potato peeler to peel the skin off the potatoes .

to sprinkle or season food with ground pepper or peppercorns to add flavor and spice

Ex: I love to pepper my popcorn with a sprinkle of chili powder for a spicy snack .
to pipe [verb]

to create decorative patterns or designs by forcing a semi-solid mixture, such as whipped cream or dough, through a nozzle or pastry bag with a specific shape

Ex: He carefully piped frosting onto each cupcake to create a stunning display .
to pit [verb]

to remove the pit or stone from a fruit

Ex: He used a special tool to pit the olives quickly .
to pluck [verb]

to pull out the feathers of a dead bird in order to prepare it for cooking

Ex: The farmer plucked the goose , readying it for the holiday feast .
to pod [verb]

to remove peas or beans from their outer covering, typically as part of food preparation

Ex: They will pod the edamame for the appetizer tomorrow .

to cook food for eating

Ex: Yesterday , he enthusiastically prepared a homemade pizza for dinner .

to hastily create a meal, typically using whatever ingredients are available

Ex:
to salt [verb]

to add salt to food or another substance in order to enhance its flavor

Ex: The chef salts the soup to bring out the flavors of the vegetables .
to scale [verb]

to adjust or modify something according to a specific rate, standard, or size

Ex: The tailor scaled the dress pattern to fit the customer 's precise measurements .

to mix an egg yolk with its egg whites and then cook it, usually with milk or butter

Ex: In the morning rush , he opted to scramble the eggs and cook them rapidly for a protein-packed breakfast .

to remove a thin layer or small amount of something from a surface using a sharp or rough edge

Ex: They will scrape the old wallpaper off the walls before renovating the room .

to add spices or salt to food to make it taste better

Ex: The chef seasons the vegetables with garlic and olive oil for added flavor .
to seed [verb]

to remove the seeds from a fruit or vegetable

Ex: She carefully seeded the watermelon before slicing it into pieces .
to shave [verb]

to cut thin slices or layers from the surface of something

Ex: She carefully shaved a layer of icing from the cake to create a flat surface for decorating .
to shell [verb]

to remove the outer covering from something, often to access what is inside

Ex: They will shell the eggs for breakfast tomorrow .
to shred [verb]

to cut something into very small pieces

Ex: In a blender , you can easily shred vegetables for a smooth soup .
to shuck [verb]

to remove the outer covering or shell from corn, oysters, or other similar foods

to sift [verb]

to pass a powdered substance through a sieve or fine mesh to remove lumps or impurities

Ex: They will sift the cocoa powder for the chocolate frosting .
to skim [verb]

to remove a substance, such as foam or fat, from the surface of a liquid or object, typically by gently scooping or brushing it off

Ex: Before serving , the barista would skillfully skim the excess foam from the top of each cappuccino .
to skin [verb]

to remove the outer layer or covering from something

Ex: Please skin the tomatoes before adding them to the salad .

to add spices or flavorful ingredients to a dish to give it more flavor

Ex:

to put a layer of a smooth or soft substance over a surface

Ex: The painter spread primer over the walls before applying the final coat of paint .
to stir [verb]

to move a spoon, etc. around in a liquid or other substance to completely mix it

Ex: He skillfully stirred the coffee , watching the cream swirl into a delightful pattern .
to stone [verb]

to remove the seeds from fruits, such as cherries or peaches

Ex: They will stone the peaches for the cobbler tomorrow , preparing them for baking .
to stuff [verb]

to fill meat or vegetables with a mixture of different ingredients

Ex: Before baking , do n't forget to stuff the pork loin with a delicious combination of apples , onions , and rosemary .

to make something taste sweeter

Ex: The baker sweetens the cake batter with granulated sugar before baking it in the oven .

to make meat softer and easier to eat or cut by breaking down the fibers, typically through pounding or marinating it

to remove the tops and tails or ends of something, such as trimming the stems and leaves from vegetables

to toss [verb]

to mix or combine ingredients by gently lifting and turning them in a bowl or pan

Ex: Combine the mixed greens and other salad ingredients in a bowl , then toss lightly with vinaigrette .
to truss [verb]

to prepare a bird for cooking by securing its wings and legs close to its body

Ex: They will truss the quail for the gourmet dinner party .
to whip [verb]

to mix ingredients with a wire whisk or fork in cooking or baking to achieve a specific texture

Ex: In baking , it 's essential to whip the batter thoroughly to incorporate air for a light and fluffy cake .
to whisk [verb]

to beat or mix rapidly, typically with a utensil such as a whisk

Ex: The recipe instructed her to whisk the sauce continuously over low heat until it thickened .
to whizz [verb]

to blend or puree ingredients using a food processor or blender

Ex: To make the sauce , simply whizz the cooked vegetables with some broth .
to zest [verb]

to add flavor or enhance the taste of food by adding citrus peel or other aromatic ingredients

Ex: He zests the lemon over the pasta to give it a refreshing flavor .