Cooking Verbs
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| boil | to heat liquid until it bubbles — Boil the pasta for 10 minutes. |
| fry | to cook in hot oil in a pan — Fry the onions until golden. |
| bake | to cook in an oven using dry heat — Bake the cake at 180°C for 30 minutes. |
| roast | to cook meat or vegetables in an oven — Roast the chicken for an hour. |
| grill | to cook under or over direct heat — Grill the fish for 5 minutes each side. |
| chop | to cut into pieces with a knife — Chop the carrots into small pieces. |
| slice | to cut into thin flat pieces — Slice the bread thinly. |
| peel | to remove the skin — Peel the potatoes before boiling them. |
| mix | to combine ingredients together — Mix the flour and eggs. |
| stir | to move a spoon in circles in a liquid — Stir the soup so it doesn't stick. |
| pour | to tip liquid from a container — Pour the sauce over the pasta. |
| serve | to present food for eating — Serve the dish while it is hot. |
Tip Notice that recipe instructions often use the imperative form of the verb (the base form without a subject): "Boil the water. Add the pasta. Stir for 10 minutes." This is the same form used for giving orders and instructions in English.
Kitchen Utensils
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| knife | a sharp blade for cutting — Use a sharp knife to slice the onion. |
| fork | a pronged utensil for eating or picking up food |
| spoon | a rounded utensil for liquids and stirring |
| pan | a flat-bottomed cooking vessel for the hob — Heat oil in the pan. |
| pot | a deep vessel for boiling and stewing — Fill the pot with water. |
| oven tray | a flat metal tray used in the oven — Place the biscuits on a greased oven tray. |
| bowl | a deep round container for mixing or serving — Crack the eggs into a bowl. |
| chopping board | a flat board for cutting on — Always use a chopping board to protect the worktop. |
| whisk | a tool for beating air into eggs or cream — Whisk the egg whites until stiff. |
| spatula | a flat tool for flipping or scraping — Flip the pancake with a spatula. |
| measuring cup | a cup used to measure volumes of ingredients — Use a measuring cup for accuracy. |
Cooking Terms and Descriptions
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| recipe | a set of instructions for preparing a dish — Follow the recipe carefully. |
| ingredient | a single item used in a recipe — The main ingredient is flour. |
| portion | the amount served to one person — Divide into four equal portions. |
| taste | the flavour sensation / to try a small amount — Taste the sauce and add salt if needed. |
| flavour | the particular taste of a food — This soup has a rich flavour. |
| raw | uncooked — Never eat raw chicken. |
| cooked | has been heated through — Make sure the chicken is fully cooked. |
| crispy | hard and crunchy on the outside — The chips are lovely and crispy. |
| tender | soft and easy to cut or chew — The meat was so tender it fell off the bone. |
Real world: A simple recipe
"First, peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Boil them in a pot of salted water for 15 minutes." "Meanwhile, fry the onions in a pan with a little oil until they are golden and tender." "Drain the potatoes, mix with butter and milk, and serve with the fried onions on top."
Practice Problems
What does it mean to 'peel' a vegetable?
Show answer
To remove the outer skin.
What is the difference between 'fry' and 'bake'?
Show answer
Frying uses hot oil on the hob; baking uses dry heat in an oven.
What grammar form do recipe instructions typically use?
Show answer
The imperative (base form of the verb without a subject), e.g. 'Boil, stir, add.'
What does 'crispy' mean as a food description?
Show answer
Hard and crunchy on the outside.