Terms you will need to know as working professional in the culinary arts.
- A la carte: A menu item that is ordered separately rather than as part of a set meal.
- Al dente: An Italian term used to describe pasta that is cooked until it is firm but not soft or overcooked.
- Baste: To spoon or brush liquid, such as melted butter or pan juices, over food while it cooks to keep it moist.
- Batter: A mixture of flour, eggs, and liquid that is used to make cakes, pancakes, and other baked goods.
- Blanch: To briefly cook vegetables or other ingredients in boiling water and then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Braising: A cooking method where meat is browned in a pan and then simmered in liquid for a long period of time until it is tender.
- Broil: To cook food under a direct heat source, such as a broiler, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Caramelization: The process of heating sugar until it turns brown and develops a nutty flavor.
- Casserole: A dish made with a variety of ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and cheese, that are baked together in a single dish.
- Chiffonade: A cutting technique where herbs or greens are sliced into thin ribbons.
- Chutney: A sweet or savory condiment made from fruit, vinegar, and spices.
- Confit: A French cooking technique where meat is slow-cooked in fat until it is tender and flavorful.
- Consommé: A clear soup that is made by simmering meat or vegetables and then clarifying the broth.
- Creme brulee: A dessert made with a rich custard base that is topped with a layer of caramelized sugar.
- Deglaze: To add liquid, such as wine or broth, to a pan after cooking to loosen the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
- Demi-glace: A rich, dark sauce made by simmering veal or beef bones, mirepoix, and red wine.
- Emulsify: To combine two liquids, such as oil and vinegar, into a stable mixture.
- Filet: To remove bones from meat or fish, or to cut a piece of meat or fish into a boneless fillet.
- Flambé: To ignite food, typically with alcohol, for dramatic effect.
- Fondant: A sweet, creamy filling made from sugar and water that is used in pastries and confections.
- Garnish: To add decorative elements, such as herbs or edible flowers, to a dish for visual appeal.
- Gnocchi: Small, doughy dumplings made from potato, flour, and eggs.
- Gratin: A dish made with a topping of breadcrumbs or cheese that is baked until crispy and browned.
- Hollandaise: A classic French sauce made with egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice.
- Infuse: To steep herbs, spices, or other ingredients in a liquid to flavor it.
- Julienne: A cutting technique where vegetables are cut into thin, matchstick-sized strips.
- Knead: To work dough by hand to develop gluten and create a smooth, elastic texture.
- Marinade: To soak food in a mixture of oil, acid, and spices to enhance its flavor.
- Mince: To finely chop food into tiny pieces.
- Mirepoix: A mixture of diced onions, carrots, and celery that is used
- Mise en place: A French term meaning “everything in its place,” referring to the preparation of ingredients before cooking.
- Pâté: A paste made from liver, meat, or vegetables that is typically served as an appetizer.
- Poach: To cook food, such as eggs or fish, in liquid at a low temperature until it is tender.
- Puree: To blend food into a smooth, uniform texture, typically using a blender or food processor.
- Reduction: A cooking technique where a liquid is simmered until it thickens and reduces in volume, intensifying its flavor.
- Roulade: A dish made by rolling meat, fish, or vegetables around a filling and then cooking it.
- Sauté: To cook food quickly in a small amount of fat over high heat, stirring or shaking the pan frequently.
- Scald: To heat a liquid, such as milk or cream, until it is almost boiling.
- Sear: To cook meat or fish quickly over high heat to brown the surface and seal in the juices.
- Simmer: To cook food in liquid at a low temperature just below boiling point.
- Sous vide: A cooking method where food is vacuum-sealed in a bag and then cooked in a water bath at a precise temperature.
- Stock: A flavorful liquid made by simmering meat, bones, vegetables, and herbs.
- Sweat: To cook vegetables over low heat until they release moisture and become soft and translucent.
- Tamale: A Mexican dish made of masa (a type of dough) that is filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, wrapped in a corn husk, and then steamed.
- Tartare: A dish made from raw meat or fish that is finely chopped and seasoned.
- Tempura: A Japanese dish made by coating seafood or vegetables in a light batter and then deep-frying.
- Terrine: A dish made by layering meat, fish, or vegetables in a loaf pan and then baking it.
- Toast: To cook bread or other grains until it is browned and crisp.
- Truss: To tie poultry or meat with twine to hold its shape during cooking.
- Velouté: A classic French sauce made with chicken or fish stock, butter, and flour.
- Aioli: A Mediterranean sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks.
- Bouillabaisse: A French fish soup made with a variety of seafood and vegetables.
- Ceviche: A Latin American dish made by marinating raw fish or seafood in citrus juice.
- Chantilly cream: A sweet whipped cream flavored with vanilla and sugar.
- Ciabatta: An Italian bread that is chewy on the inside with a crispy crust.
- Coq au vin: A French dish made with chicken cooked in red wine.
- Croissant: A buttery, flaky pastry that is crescent-shaped.
- Crudité: Raw vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, and celery, that are typically served with a dip.
- Falafel: A Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas that are shaped into balls and fried.
- Focaccia: A flat Italian bread that is topped with olive oil and herbs.
- Gazpacho: A Spanish cold soup made with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and onions.
- Goulash: A Hungarian stew made with beef or pork, onions, and paprika.
- Gravlax: A Scandinavian dish made by curing raw salmon with salt, sugar, and dill.
- Guacamole: A Mexican dip made
- Hollandaise: A classic French sauce made from egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice.
- Kimchi: A Korean dish made of fermented vegetables, typically cabbage, seasoned with chili peppers and other spices.
- Linguine: A type of pasta that is long, thin, and flattened.
- Maki: A Japanese dish made of sushi rice and other ingredients, such as raw fish or vegetables, rolled up in seaweed.
- Marinade: A mixture of ingredients, such as oil, vinegar, and spices, used to flavor and tenderize meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
- Naan: A type of Indian bread that is leavened and typically served with curry dishes.
- Omelet: A dish made from beaten eggs that are cooked in a pan and often folded over a filling, such as cheese or vegetables.
- Paella: A Spanish dish made with saffron-flavored rice, seafood, and other ingredients such as chicken, sausage, or vegetables.
- Pesto: A sauce made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil, often served with pasta.
- Pho: A Vietnamese soup made with a flavorful broth, rice noodles, and meat, typically beef or chicken.
- Ratatouille: A French dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and other vegetables, typically stewed together.
- Risotto: An Italian dish made with arborio rice that is cooked slowly with broth, wine, and other ingredients, such as cheese and mushrooms.
- Sashimi: A Japanese dish made of thinly sliced raw fish or other seafood, often served with soy sauce and wasabi.
- Shakshuka: A Middle Eastern dish made of eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce.
- Sorbet: A frozen dessert made from fruit juice, water, and sugar.
- Soufflé: A light and fluffy dish made from egg yolks and whites, often flavored with cheese or other ingredients.
- Sourdough: A type of bread made from a naturally fermented dough that gives it a distinctive sour taste.
- Sushi: A Japanese dish made of seasoned rice and other ingredients, such as raw fish or vegetables, often rolled up in seaweed.
- Tapenade: A spread made from olives, capers, anchovies, and olive oil, typically served with bread.
- Tiramisu: An Italian dessert made of ladyfingers soaked in coffee and layered with a mixture of mascarpone cheese and whipped cream.
- Tofu: A soy-based product that is used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes.
- Tzatziki: A Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill.
- Vinaigrette: A dressing made from oil, vinegar, and other ingredients, such as mustard or honey.
- Wasabi: A spicy green paste made from Japanese horseradish, typically served with sushi.
- Wonton: A Chinese dumpling filled with meat or vegetables, often served in soup.
- Yakitori: A Japanese dish made of skewered chicken that is grilled and often glazed with a sweet sauce.
- Yeast: A type of fungus used to leaven bread, beer, and other fermented foods.
- Yuzu: A citrus fruit native to East Asia that is often used in Japanese cuisine for its unique flavor.
- Za’atar: A Middle Eastern spice blend made from thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and other herbs.
- Zest: The outermost layer of citrus fruit peel, often used to add flavor to dishes.
- Zucchini: A type of summer squash that is typically green and has a mild flavor, often used in savory dishes.
- Aioli: A sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks, often served with seafood or vegetables.
- Brioche: A type of bread that is enriched with butter and eggs, giving it a rich and tender texture.
- Cilantro: An herb with a strong, pungent flavor that is often used in Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine.
- Demi-glace: A rich, flavorful sauce made from veal or beef stock that is reduced until thickened.
- Éclair: A French pastry made from choux pastry dough that is filled with cream and often topped with chocolate icing.