Reading a recipe might require you to learn a few new terms to make sure that the end result is as delicious as possible. So even if you’re a seasoned chef, brushing up on the definitions of key cooking terms is always helpful. Here are four must-know cooking terms:
- Beat. An easily recognized and commonly used term, to beat means to mix an ingredient in itself so quickly that air is incorporated, making a smooth mixture.
- Au jus. This is a common word on restaurant menus, but most people don’t consider what it actually means. It’s a way of referring to the natural juices of the food.
- Truss. If you read a recipe and it asks you to truss the food while cooking or grilling, that means to bind it together with skewers so it holds its shape during the process.
- Julienne. To julienne means to cut food into thin strips. The term often refers to preparing vegetables.
The Basic Kitchen: Glossary of Cooking Terms [Le Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes and Gardens]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]
Culinary Terms: Food Dictionary and Glossary of Cooking Terms [Culinary Arts About.com]