How
to do things “Words”
When you read a recipe you will sometimes see words that
you might not understand, as cookery has its own funny language
at times. Sometimes just one or two words are used to describe
how to do things that would normally take a couple of sentences.
For example the word sauté means to heat a little
butter or oil in a pan then add ingredients and lightly
cook for a few minutes. So you can see by using just one
word to describe an action it saves a lot of words in a
recipe.
To make it easier to find the meaning of a cookery “word”
we have divided them up into easy to find and read sections:
Words used when making
cakes, cookies, biscuits, desserts or breads.
Cream:
Beating butter and sugar together usually with an electric
mixer (so your arms don’t get tired) until the mixture
looks creamy.
Fold:
Gently scoop a large spoon into ingredients carefully
turning or “folding” the mixture over and over.
This method is usually used to fold flour into a sponge
mixture.
Decorate:
This word is usually in sweet recipes and means to add
something to a completed dish to make it look pretty or
finish it off. For example, strawberries are placed on
the top of a cake to decorate it.
Whip:
This means to beat a mixture to get lots of air into it
so that it holds its own shape. For example, whipped cream
or egg-whites for a pavlova.
Stirring:
Mixing with a circular movement, using a wooden spoon
or fork.
Straining:
Separating liquid from solids by placing them together
into a sieve.
Greasing:
Means to prepare a cake tin or biscuit tray by lightly
rubbing on some butter or spraying with baking spray to
prevent things sticking while cooking.
Knead:
Dough is folded in half and rolled with the hands several
times to make it smooth.
Words used when baking:
Bake
Cook in an oven only.
Preheat oven Turn the oven on and let it get hot before you
put things in. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for
an oven to get to the heat required.
Allow to stand Means to put baked goods aside for 5 minutes to
let them cool slightly.
