Basic cooking terms
Kitchen Basics
Mise en Place – French for “everything in its place.” The practice of prepping and organizing ingredients before you start cooking. Keeps you sane and your kitchen less chaotic.
Sear – Browning food quickly in a hot pan to boost flavor.
Deglaze – Adding liquid to a hot pan to release the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom.
Simmer – Cooking in liquid just below boiling; gentle bubbles.
Blanch – Briefly boiling food, then plunging it in ice water to stop cooking.
Poach – Cooking gently in barely simmering liquid (eggs, chicken, fish).
Roast – Cooking with dry oven heat, usually uncovered.
Braise – First sear, then slow-cook in liquid until tender (classic for stews).
Fold – Gently combining ingredients so you don’t lose air (like folding whipped cream into batter).
Flavors & Ingredients
Umami – The savory “fifth taste,” rich and meaty (think soy sauce, mushrooms, parmesan).
Mirepoix – The classic flavor base of onions, carrots, and celery.
Aromatics – Herbs, spices, and veggies that create fragrance and depth.
Al Dente – Pasta cooked “to the tooth,” firm but not crunchy.
Roux – Fat and flour cooked together, used to thicken sauces and soups.
Reduction – Cooking down liquid to intensify flavor.
Emulsion – Combining two things that don’t usually mix, like oil and vinegar.
Bouquet Garni – Bundle of herbs (often tied or wrapped) to season soups, stews, or sauces.
Baking & Bread
Proofing – The final rise of dough before baking.
Fermentation – Yeast and bacteria creating gas and flavor as dough rests.
Crumb – The texture inside bread (airy vs. dense).
Score – Slashing bread dough so it expands predictably.
Docking – Poking holes in dough (like pie crust) to prevent bubbling.
Blind Baking – Baking a crust before adding filling.
Knife & Prep
Julienne – Thin matchstick slices.
Dice – Cutting into cubes (small, medium, or large).
Chiffonade – Thin ribbons of herbs or greens.
Brunoise – Very fine dice, often for garnish.
Bias Cut – Diagonal slice, usually for more surface area and visual appeal.