Kitchen Basics

Kitchen Basics

Welcome to Cooking 101. Here are some culinary terms and techniques that will have you cooking like a pro in no time. If you already know your way around the kitchen, scan the list for a quick review.

Baste

Spoon on or brush food with melted butter or other liquids as it cooks. Basting adds flavor and color to foods.

Chop

Hold large knife with one hand; rest the other hand on the top for control. Chop in large, uniform pieces using quick, heavy, rocking motions.

Coat

Dip or roll foods such as chicken or fish in seasoned breadcrumbs or flour. The food may be dipped in a liquid, such as beaten eggs or milk, before it is coated with the dry mixture.

Deglaze

Cook like a TV Chef with this easy technique for creating a pan sauce. Remove sauteed meat and excess fat from a pan after cooking and add a small amount of liquid to the pan — usually wine or stock. The resulting mixture is the base for a sauce to go with the meat.

Julienne

Cut foods into matchstick-thin strips for a restaurant-style side dish or garnish. Start by slicing off the bottom of the food to keep it from rocking as you cut; then cut food into 1/8-inch slices. Cut across the strips to create long, thin pieces in the desired length.

Mince

Cut food, such as herbs, into very small pieces using the same motion as chopping.

Pan Fry

Use this easy technique to cook pieces of meat, seafood or large pieces of vegetables in a hot pan, turning only once or twice.

Puree

Finely mash food to a smooth, thick consistency. Popular purees include sweet potato and raspberry.

Roast

Oven-cook food in an uncovered pan for a well-browned exterior and a moist interior.

Saute

Cook food in a small amount of oil or other fat in a skillet or saute pan over direct heat for a fast, healthy meal.

Sear

Brown meat quickly over very high heat either in a skillet under a broiler or in a very hot oven to seal in the juices.

Simmer

Heat a liquid just below the boiling point so that small bubbles are visible on the surface.

Whisk

Use a whisk, a must-have kitchen utensil, to whip (incorporate air into) ingredients such as cream, eggs and sauces.

The more you know about cooking, the easier and more fun it is to create great meals in your kitchen. Be sure to use these terms and techniques as the foundation for a whole new cooking adventure.

Print Article

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in In Stores Now, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.

If you have dietary restrictions and/or allergies, always read the ingredient list carefully for all food products prior to consumption. Allergens and their derivatives can have various names and may be present in some food brands but not others. If the ingredient list is not available on the food product, check with the food manufacturer, or do not consume the product. If you have a food allergy, speak to your physician and/or a registered dietitian for a comprehensive list of foods and their derivatives to avoid prior to using any recipe from Walmart.com. Neither the author nor Walmart.com assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Product information is provided by the supplier or manufacturer of the product and should not be construed as advice. Walmart does not sponsor, recommend or endorse any third party, product, service or information provided on this site.

 

Seasonal Features