Cooking Terms K L M and N

Easy to Understand Cooking Dictionary

This page provides cooking definitions for cooking terms K L M and N.

Cooking Terms can be a little confusing so these definitions are provided for frequently used terms found in recipes and articles about cooking.

As with all dictionaries, the terms are alphabetized (I think ;-) )

Cooking Terms K L M and N : Learning the Language

Cooking Terminology: Words starting with "K"

• kebab - small chucks of meat, fish, or shellfish that are usually marinated before being skewered and grilled, broiled or pan-fried (pieces of vegetables often are added to the skewer); also called "shish kebab"
• knead - to press and fold dough in order to give it a smoother consistency needed for leavening
• kosher salt - very coarse salt

Cooking Terminology: Words starting with "L"

• larding - putting strips of fat into pieces of meat to help the braised meat stay moist and juicy during cooking
• leaven - yeast: also the process of whipping egg whites that produces air bubbles and causes the rising of baked items

Cooking Terminology: Words starting with "M"

• marble - to swirl or layer one food item into another to create a ribbon effect when cooked and sliced
• marinade - a liquid sauce that is used to soften and flavor meats before cooking (most marinades contain ingredients such as vinegar, oil, lemon, wine, beer, herbs and spices)
• marinate - to cover a food item with a liquid substance (see above)
• medallion - a small piece of meat (beef, chicken, pork, veal) lightly pounded into an oval or a round
• meringue - sweetened egg whites beaten until stiff but light
• mince - to chop into very fine pieces
• mirepoix - a mixture of rough-cut or diced vegetables, herbs and spices used for flavoring
• mise en place - a French cooking term for having all your ingredients prepped and ready to use before starting to cook (very important!)
• mount - the addition of small pieces of cold butter to a sauce as a finishing process
• mull - heating wine, cider, or juices with spices, citrus and sugar

Cooking Terminology: Words starting with "N"

• nap - to cover a food item with a thin, even layer of sauce

• Nouvelle Cuisine - roughly translated - I can't believe I paid ninety-six dollars and I'm still hungry. ;-)

Hopefully this cooking dictionary will prove helpful in your pursuit of cooking with confidence and style.

Donna

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

 Donald Kendall