Verbs related to cooking in English, words used in recipes, sample recipes, cooking vocabulary.

English cooking vocabulary is an important part of the cooking process. If you are interested in world cuisine, learning the language of cooking can help you become a more confident and successful cook. Listed below are English words used while cooking or frequently mentioned in recipes. Additionally, sample recipes have been added at the end of the list.

Verbs Related to Cooking

• add: to put in (an additional element, ingredient, etc.)
• bake: to cook food in an oven
• barbecue: to cook food on a metal frame over an open fire
• beat: to mix something with short quick movements with a fork, etc.
• blend: to mix ingredients together, usually using a blender
• boil: to cook in boiling water
• broil: to cook (meat or fish) by exposure to direct heat
• carve: to cut a large piece of cooked meat into smaller pieces
• chop: to cut food into small pieces
• cut: to divide food into two or more pieces with a knife, etc.
• cube: to cut food into cubes
• cook: to prepare food by heating it
• deep fry: to cook food in oil that covers it completely
• defrost: to make food warmer so that it is no longer frozen
• dice: to cut food into small cubes
• drain: to pour off the excess liquid from food
• fill: to make something full of something
• freeze: to keep food at a very low temperature in order to preserve it
• fry: to cook food in hot oil or fat
• grate: to rub food against a grater in order to cut it into small pieces
• grease: to rub grease or fat on something
• grill: to cook food under a very strong heat
• heat: to make something hot or warm
• knead: to work dough with your hands
• mash: to make food into a soft mass
• marinate: to soak food in a mixture of oil, vinegar, spices, etc. to give it flavor
• melt: to become or make something become liquid as a result of heating
• microwave: to cook or heat something in a microwave
• mince: to cut food into very small pieces using a special machine
• mix: to combine substances
• peel: to take the outer layer off fruit, vegetables, etc.
• poach: to cook food in hot liquid that is just below the boiling point
• pour: to send a liquid, etc. flowing or falling over or on something
• put: to move something into a particular place or position
• refrigerate: to make food cold 
• remove: to get rid of something
• rinse: to wash something with clean water only
• roast: to cook food without liquid in an oven or over a fire
• saute: to cook food quickly in a little oil or fat over high heat
• scramble: to prepare (eggs) by stirring during frying
• serve: present (food or drink) to someone.
• shred: to cut or tear something into small pieces
• sift: to put flour or some other fine substance through a sifter
• simmer: to cook food by keeping it almost at boiling point
• slice: to cut food into thin pieces
• spread: to put a layer of a substance onto the surface of something
• sprinkle: to shake small pieces of something or drops of a liquid on food
• steam: to cook food by exposing it to steam
• stew: to cook food slowly in liquid in a covered pot
• stir: to mix a liquid or substance by moving an a spoon, etc. in a circular pattern
• squeeze: to get liquid out of something by pressing
• warm up: to heat previously cooked food again
• wash: to make something clean using water
• whip: to beat ingredients together using a whisk or electric mixer
• wrap: to cover something completely in paper or other material

Words Used in Recipes

• blender: a kitchen utensil with blades, used for blending ingredients
• bunch: a number of things of the same type which are growing or fastened together
• can: a metal container in which food or drink is sold
• clove: one of the small separate sections of a bulb of garlic
• cook time: the amount of time required to cook the food
• cube: a piece of food with six sides
• cuisine: a style of cooking; the food served in a restaurant
• cup: a unit for measuring quantity used in cooking that is 250 milliliters
• fresh: recently produced or picked and not frozen
• garnish: an item used to decorate or embellish a dish
• grater: a kitchen utensil with sharp blades or holes, used for shredding food
• ingredient: a substance that is used as a component of a food or other mixture
• jar: a round glass container, with a lid, used for storing food
• julienne: cut into short thin strips
• ladle: a kitchen utensil with a deep bowl and a long handle, used for serving liquids
• package: a box, bag, etc. in which things are wrapped or packed
• pan: a shallow, flat-bottomed container used for frying or cooking food
• pot: a deep, round cooking vessel with a lid and a handle or handlesand
• prep time: the amount of time it takes to prepare all the ingredients and combine them
• recipe: a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish
• rolling pin: a kitchen utensil with a cylinder shape, used for rolling dough
• sauce: a thick, flavorful liquid that is served with food. 
• seasoning: a substance used to add flavour to food
• spatula: a kitchen utensil with a broad, flat blade, used for flipping food or stirring ingredients
• spice: a strongly flavoured or aromatic substance used to season or flavour food
• tablespoon: a large spoon
• teaspoon: a small spoon

Sample Recipes

Crepe Recipe

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, room temperature

  • 4 eggs, room temperature

  • 3 tablespoons oil

Directions

1-) Whisk the sugar, salt and eggs.
 
2-) Add the milk and oil.

3-) Then gradually add flour.

4-) Pour the batter onto a hot griddle.

5-) Cook until lightly browned on the bottom.

6-) Flip and continue cooking until done on both sides.

San Sebastian Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients 

  • 600g cream cheese

  • 240g granulated sugar

  • 40g corn flour (or corn starch)

  • 4 eggs

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 200ml double cream

  • 100g plain yoghurt (or sour cream)

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1-) Start by pre-heating your oven to 200°C. Also, line a cake tin with a large piece of baking paper.

2-) In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, salt, and corn flour until smooth.

3-) Add half of the double cream into this, mix until smooth then mix in the rest of the cream.

4-) Mix in the yoghurt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Then finally, add in the eggs one by one and mix just until you get a smooth batter.

5-) Pour this batter into your tin, smooth it out, and then slam the tin down on your counter a few times to get rid of any bubbles.

6-) Bake this around 40-50 minutes. It is done when the edges are set, but the centre is still quite jiggly.

7-) Once baked, leave it to cool at room temperature for an hour, and then leave it in the fridge for at least two hours, or overnight, to set.

8-) Once set, cut it into slices, serve it with some melted chocolate and enjoy!