Baking 101 - Technique Glossary

Hello there, creative minds! :D Like I said, I have been preparing something really special for Marsha-Go-Round, and this post will be some kind of a sneak-peek to it!

Do you love cooking like I do, but still a rookie like I am? Do you have difficulty understanding the English cooking terms, especially cos you're not a native? You need not worry any longer! :D Knowing how frustrating it is to be so clueless (can you tell I'm speaking out of my own experience here? :p), I took special time to make this small glossary consisting of basic cooking/baking techniques! This will save your time spent Googling around to find out what I mean by them in my recipes (will be posted in upcoming weeks!). :D

Let's start, then!



Beat
Definition: To beat means to rapidly stir a batter to incorporate the ingredients along with air.
Pronunciation: beet (verb)
Examples: Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light and fluffy.

Fold
Definition: Usually egg whites or whipped cream are folded into a heavier mixture, for a souffle, cake, or pie filling. The lighter mixture is placed on top of the heavier mixture, then the two are combined by passing a spatula down through the mixture, across the bottom, and up over the top. This process continues until the mixtures are combined. This traps air into bubbles in the product, allowing baked goods to rise.
Examples: The stiffly beaten egg whites were carefully folded into the cheese sauce to make the souffle base.

Knead
Definition: Bread dough is kneaded to distribute the yeast and develop gluten for an even texture. To knead, pick up the far edge of the dough and fold over the bottom edge. Press down with the heels of your hands, pushing the dough away from you. Turn the dough one quarter turn and repeat the process. When properly kneaded, bread dough will be smooth and satiny, stretchy and no longer sticky.
Pronunciation: need
Examples: Knead the dough for 10 minutes, until smooth, springy and satiny.



Mise en Place
Definition: This phrase means having a place for everything and having everything organized before you begin cooking.
Pronunciation: MEES on ploss
Examples: Carol organized her kitchen according to the French mise en place.

Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet
Definition: A baking sheet (a metal plate where batter is placed) lined/covered with baking parchment.
Examples: Pipe 3/4-inch rounds 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Preheat
Definition: To heat (an oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking.
Examples: While they’re resting, preheat oven to 375 degrees (190 degrees in Celcius).

Pulse
Definition: A method of mixing ingredients in a blender or mixer by using bursts of power in very short intervals.
Examples: Pulse confectioners’ sugar and almond flour in a food processor until combined.

Rotate Halfway Through
Definition: Some ovens might not heat evenly. To make it even, after the batter has spent half of the supposed time, rotate the baking sheet.
Examples: Bake 1 sheet at a time for 10 minutes, rotating halfway through. (Bake for 5 minutes, rotate, bake again for 5 minutes.)



Sift
Definition: To put your dry ingredient through a flour sifter or fine sieve. (menyaring/mengayak)
Examples: Sift mixture 2 times.

Simmer
Definition: Simmer means to bring a liquid almost to a boil over low heat. Simmering liquid is characterized by small bubbles which rise slowly to the surface, usually breaking before they reach the surface.
Pronunciation: SIMM er
Examples: Simmer the pears in the liquid until tender.

Stir
Definition: To use a spoon, whisk, or beater to move ingredients around in a circular motion. Stirring is a more gentle form of beating.
Also Known As: Mix, blend
Examples: Stir the muffin batter just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Whisk
Definition: The process of using a whisk to blend ingredients together or to incorporate air into ingredients to increase their volume.
Also known as: Whip
Examples: Whisk whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy.

Source:Recipe Tips ♥ Busy Cooks ♥ My own definition

Hope you find this post helpful! (; Please do share this to your friends who love cooking but are confused with English cooking terms commonly found in online recipes. If you have any suggestion on what to add here, feel free to tell me in the comments! (;