Heating
To cook by dry heat, usually in the oven
Bake
To cut food in small cubes of uniform size and shape
Dice
Neither cool nor warm; approximately body temperature
Luke warm
A pungent flavor, use whole leaf but remove before serving
Bay Leaves
Popular sweet spice for flavoring baked goods. The aromatic bark of types of laurel trees, it is sold as sticks or ground.
Cinnamon
To simmer slowly in a small amount of liquid for a long time
Stew
To cut vegetables, fruits, or cheeses into thin strips
Julienne
trifling amount you can hold between your thumb and forefinger
Pinch
Green, leafy herb resembling flat leaf (Italian) parsley with a sharp, aromatic, somewhat astringent flavor
Cilantro
A Middle Eastern spice with a strong, dusky, aromatic flavor. Use in chili, mexican foods, marinades, and basting sauces, and add to huevos rancheros or other egg dishes.
Cumin
To cook slowly in liquid over low heat at a temperature of about 180°. The surface of the liquid should be barely moving, broken from time to time by slowly rising bubbles
Simmer
To cut or chop food into extremely small pieces
Mince
To decorate a dish both to enhance its appearance and to provide a flavorful foil
Garnish
Member of the same group of plants as the onion. Robust flavoring. Used in a lot of Italian cooking
Garlic
Very hot ground spice derived from dried chili pepper
Cayenne Pepper
To cook and/or brown food in a small amount of hot fat, like oil
Saute
To remove the peels from vegetables or fruits
Peel
To mash foods until perfectly smooth by hand, by rubbing through a sieve or food mill, or by whirling in a blender or food processor
Puree
Sweet, warm flavor with an aromatic odor, used whole or ground, used in Italian foods
Basil
Sweet spice of Caribbean origin with a flavor suggesting a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg
Allspice
To cook on a grill over intense heat
Grill
To cut or tear in small, long, narrow pieces
Shred
To destroy micro organisms (bacteria) by boiling, dry heat, or steam
Sterilize
Aromatic, pungent and spicy Mediterranean herb. Use fresh or dried for all types of savory dishes. Especially popular with tomatoes and other vegetables. Used especially on Pizza
Oregano
Purple herb from the Middle East that has a slight citrus flavor, like lemon. We used in class to make Musakhan - the chicken dish in pita bread
Sumac