New to Cooking? Memorize These Four Common Cooking Terms

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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]

Find Great Pumpkin Recipes at These Four Sites

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin coffee, even pumpkin soup – no matter what it is, we can’t get enough pumpkin foods. Something about the warm, rich flavor of pumpkin feels so soothing on a cold winter day, and its versatility makes it the perfect ingredient for both savory meals and sweet desserts.

These four pumpkin recipe websites will make you rekindle your love for everyone’s favorite cold weather flavor:

How to Cook with Pumpkin [AllRecipes]

Pumpkin [Food Network]

My Favorite Pumpkin Recipes [The Pioneer Woman]

14 Great Pumpkin Recipes [Real Simple]

4 Unique Dishes to Take to Your Next Potluck

A potluck dinner is a fun way to experience a wide variety of different cooking styles, inviting every guest to bring a covered dish to contribute to the meal. Whether you’re tired of your usual potluck recipes or you’ve never brought a dish to a party before, don’t sweat it. If you’re invited to an upcoming potluck but don’t know what to bring, these four recipes will help make your dish a hit.

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Tart [Oprah.com]

Best Broccoli Salad [Mr. Food Test Kitchen]

Make-and-Take Potluck Dishes [Chow]

Old Fashioned Pineapple Upside-Down Cake [All Recipes]

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