Chemical Cooking Methods

to soak food in a solution of water and salt, often to preserve or flavor it

She brines the turkey overnight in a mixture of salt, water, and spices to ensure it stays moist and flavorful.

lacking moisture or liquid

She watered the dry plants in the garden.

to trigger a process where microorganisms break down sugars in a substance, often creating alcohol or acids

The baker uses yeast to ferment the dough and make it rise.

to soak food in a seasoned liquid, typically containing oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices, to enhance its flavor and softness before cooking

She marinates the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for several hours before grilling it.

a natural, white substance, obtained from mines and also found in seawater that is added to the food to make it taste better or to preserve it

Can you please pass the salt?

having a sharp acidic taste like lemon

The green apple had a delightfully sour and crisp flavor.

(of a seed or plant) to begin growing

She plants seeds in the garden and watches them sprout after a few days.

a sweet white or brown substance that is obtained from plants and used to make food and drinks sweet

A drizzle of sugar syrup over pancakes or waffles adds a delightful sweetness to breakfast.

to add something that makes a food or drink slightly sour or tangy

She acidulated the salad dressing by adding a splash of lemon juice for extra zest.

the process of breaking down starch molecules into sugar

During digestion, amylolysis occurs in the mouth as salivary amylase breaks down starches into maltose.

to prevent lean meats from drying out during roasting

The chef barded the roast with thick slices of bacon.

the phenomenon where food continues to cook even after it has been removed from the heat source due to residual heat retained within the food itself

a machine used in chocolate making to refine and smooth the texture and flavor of chocolate

turn into curds

a treatment or medication for a certain disease or injury

After years of research, they finally discovered a cure.

to mix substances together so that they become a smooth and stable blend

The chef used a blender to emulsify the oil and vinegar, creating a smooth salad dressing.

a mass of small bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid or in a gas

The waves left a layer of foam on the shore.

used as the past tense of ‘can’

When I was younger, I could run faster.

a weather condition during which the temperature drops below the freezing point and thin layers of ice are formed on the surfaces

The early frost caught many farmers off guard this season.

to make uniform or similar by blending or mixing thoroughly

The blender homogenizes the ingredients into a smooth paste.

to soften or break down food by soaking it in a liquid, often a flavored liquid like wine or vinegar

The chef macerated the strawberries in sugar and balsamic vinegar before serving them over vanilla ice cream.

a mixtures of oil, spices, vinegar or wine in which food, especially meat or fish, is left to become softer or be flavored before cooking

They let the steak sit in the marinade overnight to enhance its tenderness and flavor.

to heat a liquid, like milk or juice, to kill harmful bacteria while preserving its taste and nutrients

The dairy farm pasteurizes its milk before bottling it to ensure consumer safety.

construct or form anew or provide with a new structure

the feeling of coldness

She felt a chill in the air as the sun began to set.

someone who has studied medicine and treats sick or injured people

I want to become a doctor so I can take care of people's health.

to enhance the quality of something, particularly by adding something to it

Adding diverse experiences can enrich one's perspective on life.

the specific taste that a type of food or drink has

He loves the tangy flavor of pickles.

to secure a place and make it resistant against attacks, particularly by building walls around it

The city decided to fortify its borders with a tall, robust wall to deter potential invaders.

a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)

frozen water, which has a solid state

I put ice cubes in my drink to make it cold.

to add a substance, such as yeast, to dough or batter, causing it to rise and become lighter during the baking process

She leavens her bread by carefully mixing in yeast and allowing it to ferment, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.

to become softer or liquid

After weeks of cold weather, the ground began to thaw, revealing patches of green grass beneath the snow.

a cooking technique where fish is coated in flour, sautéed in butter, and served with a sauce made of the butter, lemon juice, and parsley