Whether following recipes or preparing familiar comfort meals, understanding cooking techniques makes kitchen communication smooth. Fluent comprehension around equipment, methods, ingredient handling and goals allows cooks to decode directions, describe processes and request items accurately using food prep English.
Essential Kitchen Tools
Stock your vocabulary arsenal with basic kitchenware words like:
Knives, cutting boards, pots, pans, baking sheets
Mixing bowls, colanders, tongs, spatulas
Measuring cups, measuring spoons, food scale
Peeler, can opener, grater, blender, food processor
Cooking Action Verbs
Each technique names specific steps in culinary alchemy:
Sauté – Fry quickly in oil or butter
Simmer – Cook gently in liquids below boiling
Broil – Cook under direct, intense oven heat
Roast – Cook uncovered in oven using dry heat
Bake – Cook covered in oven using dry heat
Blanch – Briefly boil then submerge in ice bath
Caramelize – Cook sugar slowly until browned
Prep Terms for Ingredients
We prepare components adding textures and flavors:
– Chop – Cut into small pieces
– Grate – Shred into tiny bits
– Puree – Blend/mash into thick liquid
– Marinate – Soak food in seasoned liquid
– Sift – Strain dry mixture to remove lumps
Doneness Cues
Look/feel tests check progress and prevent under/overcooking:
– Al dente – Pasta/rice firm yet fully cooked
– Crispy – Super crunchy fried exterior
– Charred – Blackened by flames or dry heat
– Set/firmed up – Solid consistency achieved
Plate Presentation Goals
Arrange final dishes seeking aesthetic qualities:
– Balanced – Composed thoughtfully
– Garnished – Decorated with edible accents
– Juxtaposed – Flavors/textures strategically contrasted
Bonus Flavor Layering Terms
– Drizzle – Lightly pour thin streams
– Infuse – Permeate flavor essence into food/liquid
– Dot – Sprinkle small flavor bursts
– Deglaze – Dissolve browned bits from pan
With an equipped kitchen vocabulary toolkit, preparing and discussing meals in English becomes truly rich, nuanced and sensually satiating.
