Preparation & Cooking Terms

Bake• To cook in the oven by dry

heat

BeatTo mix rapidly using an electric

mixer

Blend• To mix two or more ingredients

together thoroughly– Spoon– Whisk– Electric mixer

Crumble• To break into small pieces and

scatter over another food

Chill• To refrigerate food until it is

cold

Combine• To mix two or more ingredients

together

Cream• To combine sugar and

shortening until soft and smooth

• Use electric mixer

Chop• To use a French chefs knife

and cut into small pieces

Cube• To cut into pieces that are the

same size

Dice• To cut into very small cubes

Glaze• To coat with a thin sugar syrup

Grease• To coat food or pan with oil or

grease

Knead• Work dough with hands

Level• To even off a measuring cup

with a straight edge spatula

Mix• To combine two or more

ingredients

Mince• To chop into very small pieces

(as small as possible)

Peel• To pull off the outer covering

of a fruit or vegetable

Press• To pack or push down on a

mixture

Preheat• To heat the oven to the baking

temperature– Before putting food in oven

Puree• Grind fruits and vegetables

into a soft paste• Usually done with blender

Slice• To cut into thin flat pieces

Shred• To cut into small, long pieces

Stir• To mix with a circular motion

or figure eight motion

Season• To add flavoring to foods

Whip• To beat rapidly to incorporate

air

Boil• To heat a liquid until bubbles

constantly rise to the surface and break

Simmer• To heat a liquid just before it

boils. Bubbles start to rise to the top but does not break the surface

Toss• To tumble a mixture very

lightly with a spoon and fork

Drain• To remove excess liquids from

a food

Garnish• To decorate a food or dish with

small colorful food.