Preparation &
Cooking Terms
Bake
• To cook in the oven by dry heat
Beat
To 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.