This Cooking Vocabulary lesson will explore various aspects of cooking vocabulary, helping you improve your language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of food preparation. We will cover ingredients, cooking techniques, kitchen tools, measurement terms, and common phrases used in cooking.
1. Cooking Vocabulary: Cooking Tools
- Knife – A sharp tool used for cutting ingredients.
- Cutting Board – A flat surface where ingredients are cut.
- Pan – A shallow container used for frying or cooking food.
- Pot – A deep container for boiling or cooking food.
- Oven – An appliance used for baking or roasting food.
- Mixer – A machine used to blend ingredients.
- Measuring Cups – Tools used to measure liquids and dry ingredients.
- Spatula – A flat tool used to flip or spread food.
- Whisk – A tool used for beating or blending ingredients, especially liquids.
2. Cooking Ingredients
- Vegetables – Edible plants, such as carrots, tomatoes, and spinach.
- Fruits – Sweet or sour edible products like apples, bananas, and oranges.
- Grains – Cereals like rice, wheat, and oats, often used as a staple.
- Meat – Animal flesh, such as chicken, beef, or pork.
- Fish – Aquatic animals used for cooking, like salmon and tuna.
- Dairy – Products made from milk, such as cheese, yogurt, and butter.
- Spices – Aromatic substances used to add flavor, such as salt, pepper, and cinnamon.
- Herbs – Fresh green plants used for flavoring, like parsley and basil.
3. Cooking Techniques
- Boiling – Cooking food in water or broth at 100°C (212°F).
- Frying – Cooking food in hot oil or fat.
- Baking – Cooking food using dry heat in the oven.
- Grilling – Cooking food over direct heat, typically on a grill.
- Steaming – Cooking food using steam produced by boiling water.
- Roasting – Cooking food evenly in an oven, often used for meats and vegetables.
- Sautéing – Quickly cooking food in a small amount of oil over medium-high heat.
- Chopping – Cutting ingredients into smaller pieces.
4. Cooking Methods
- Marinating – Soaking food in a flavored liquid before cooking to improve taste.
- Braising – Slow-cooking food in a small amount of liquid after browning it.
- Simmering – Cooking food just below boiling point, usually with some liquid.
- Blanching – Briefly boiling food, then immediately plunging it into ice water to stop the cooking process.
Common phrases used in cooking in detail:
Let’s break down common English cooking Vocabulary/ phrases in more detail:
Preparation:
- “Preheat the oven to [temperature]”: Setting the oven to the correct temperature before you start cooking is crucial for even baking and roasting.
- “Gather your ingredients”: Ensuring you have everything on hand before you start cooking streamlines the process and prevents mid-recipe scrambles.
- “Chop,” “Dice,” “Mince,” “Slice”: These terms refer to different sizes and shapes of cutting food. “Chop” means to cut into roughly even pieces. “Dice” means to cut into small cubes. “Mince” means to cut into very small pieces. “Slice” means to cut into thin, flat pieces.
Cooking Methods:
- “Sauté”: To cook food quickly in a small amount of fat over relatively high heat, usually in a pan.
- “Sear”: To brown the surface of food quickly over high heat, often to seal in juices or develop flavor.
- “Stir-fry”: To cook ingredients quickly in a wok or pan over high heat while stirring constantly.
- “Boil”: To heat a liquid until it bubbles vigorously.
- “Simmer”: To cook gently in a liquid just below the boiling point, with only a few bubbles rising to the surface.
- “Steam”: To cook food by exposing it to steam, typically in a steamer basket over boiling water.
- “Bake”: To cook food in an oven using dry heat.
- “Roast”: To cook food, typically meats or vegetables, in an oven using dry heat for an extended period.
- “Grill”: To cook food on a grill rack over a heat source, like charcoal or gas.
Combining Ingredients:
- “Whisk”: To beat ingredients together with a whisk to incorporate air and create a smooth mixture.
- “Fold”: To gently combine ingredients, usually a light mixture into a heavier one, without deflating the light mixture.
- “Mix”: To combine ingredients thoroughly using a spoon, fork, or mixer.
- “Knead”: To work dough with your hands to develop gluten, making it elastic and smooth.
Seasoning and Finishing:
- “Season with salt and pepper”: To add salt and pepper to enhance the flavor of a dish.
- “Add [spice/herb] to taste”: To add a specific spice or herb according to your personal preference.
- “Garnish”: To decorate a dish with edible items, such as herbs or sauces, to enhance its appearance.
- “Reduce”: To simmer a liquid to evaporate some of the water, concentrating the flavor and thickening the sauce.
- “Glaze”: To coat food with a glossy sauce or syrup.
Baking Specific:
- “Grease the pan”: To coat the pan with butter, oil, or cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.
- “Dust with flour”: To lightly coat a surface or ingredient with flour.
Post-Cooking:
- “Let it rest”: To allow cooked food, especially meats, to sit for a period before carving or serving, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- “Serve immediately”: To serve the dish as soon as it is ready.
Most Of All Cooking Vocabulary List:
- Bake
- Example: I like to bake cookies on the weekends.
- Boil
- Example: You should boil the pasta for about 10 minutes.
- Sauté
- Example: Sauté the vegetables until they are tender.
- Fry
- Example: I like to fry eggs for breakfast.
- Simmer
- Example: Let the soup simmer for 20 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Grill
- Example: We’ll grill the chicken for dinner tonight.
- Steam
- Example: It’s healthy to steam vegetables instead of boiling them.
- Chop
- Example: Chop the onions finely before adding them to the sauce.
- Slice
- Example: Please slice the bread for sandwiches.
- Dice
- Example: Dice the peppers for the salad.
- Whisk
- Example: Whisk the eggs until they are fluffy.
- Fold
- Example: Fold the whipped cream into the batter.
- Season
- Example: Don’t forget to season the meat before cooking.
- Marinate
- Example: Marinate the chicken in lemon juice and spices for an hour.
- Baste
- Example: Baste the turkey with its juices every 30 minutes.
- Combine
- Example: Combine the flour and sugar in a bowl.
- Knead
- Example: Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Peel
- Example: Peel the apples before slicing them.
- Grate
- Example: Grate some cheese for the topping.
- Toast
- Example: I like to toast my bagel for breakfast.
- Sear
- Example: Sear the steak before finishing it in the oven.
- Reduce
- Example: Reduce the sauce until it thickens.
- Garnish
- Example: Garnish the plate with fresh herbs.
- Dice
- Example: Dice the carrots for the stew.
- Broil
- Example: Broil the fish for about 5 minutes on each side.
Cooking Vocabulary: Conclusion
By understanding and practicing these cooking vocabulary words, you will improve your English communication skills in the kitchen and feel more confident when cooking.
