| Term |
Definition |
| Bake | To cook in an oven |
| Beat | To mix ingredients together using a fast, circular movement with a spoon, fork, whisk or mixer |
| Blend | To mix ingredients together gently with a spoon, fork, or until combined |
| Boil | To heat a food so that the liquid gets hot enough for bubbles to rise and break the surface |
| Broil | To cook under direct heat |
| Brown | To cook over medium or high heat until surface of food browns or darkens |
| Chop | To cut into small pieces |
| Cup | A small, bowl-shaped container for drinking from, typically having a handle and used with a matching saucer for hot drinks. Form (one's hand or hands) into the curved shape of a cup. A measurement equal to 8 US fluid ounces |
| Dice | To cut into small cubes |
| Drain | To remove all the liquid using a colander, strainer, or by pressing a plate against the food while tilting the container |
| Grate Shred | To scrape food against the holes of a grater making thin pieces |
| Grease | To lightly coat with oil, butter, margarine, or non-stick spray so food does not stick when cooking or baking |
| Knead | To press, fold and stretch dough until it is smooth and uniform, usually done by pressing with the heels of the hands |
| Marinate | To soak food in a liquid to tenderize or add flavor to it (the liquid is called a "marinade") |
| Mash | To squash food with a fork, spoon, or masher |
| Mince | To cut into very small pieces, smaller than chopped or diced pieces |
| Mix | To stir ingredients together with a spoon, fork, or electric mixer until well combined |
| Preheat | To turn oven on ahead of time so that it is at the desired temperature when needed (usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes) |
| Saute | To cook quickly in a little oil, butter, or margarine |
| Simmer | To cook in liquid over low heat (low boil) so that bubbles just begin to break the surface |
| Steam | To cook food over steam without putting the food directly in water (usually done with a steamer) |
| Stir Fry | To quickly cook small pieces of food over high heat while constantly stirring the food until it is crisply tender (usually done with a wok) |