Decoding Kitchen Speak Review

slice

To cut food into pieces with two flat sides.

toss

To gently combine ingredients with tongs or two forks and/or spoons to distribute ingredients evenly.

grate

To cut food into very small uniform pieces using a rasp grater or the small holes on a box grater.

peel

To remove the outer skin, rind or layer from food

zest

To remove the flavorful outer peel from a lemon, lime or orange.

stir

To combine ingredients in a bowl or other cooking vessel, often with a rubber scraper or wooden spoon.

shred

To cut food into small uniform pieces using the large holes on a box grater or the shredding disc on a food processor.

whip

To combine ingredients with a whisk until uniform or evenly incorporated.

mince

To cut food with a knife until ⅛ inch or smaller.

beat

To combine vigorously with a whisk or an electric mixer, with the goal of adding air to increase the volume of the ingredients.

chop

To cut food with a knife into small pieces.

boil

To heat liquid until large bubbles break the surface at a rapid and constant rate.

toast

To heat food in a skillet, toaster or oven until golden brown and fragrant.

melt

To heat solid food in a skillet or microwave until it becomes a liquid.

simmer

To heat liquid until small bubbles gently break the surface at a variable and infrequent rate.

heat until shimmering

To heat oil in a pan until it begins to move slightly, which indicates the oil is hot enough for cooking.

scrape

To push ingredients to the side of the bowl, pan, blender, jar or food processor