Kitchen Terminology

adjective referring to someone who is clumsy or awkward with their hands

• Despite her best efforts, she was all thumbs when it came to intricate tasks requiring fine motor skills.
• I'm all thumbs when it comes to fixing things around the house.
• I felt so all thumbs trying to text with those new touchscreen gloves on.
• He may seem confident, but deep down he's all thumbs when it comes to expressing his emotions.

verb to cook (food) by dry heat, typically in an oven

• She decided to bake a batch of cookies for the charity event.
• I'm going to bake a cake for my friend's birthday.
• Let's bake some brownies and chill out.
• His plan to bake a successful business was well underway.

verb to cook (meat or vegetables) by browning in fat, then simmering in a small amount of liquid in a covered container

• The chef decided to braise the short ribs for several hours to enhance the flavor.
• I'm going to braise the chicken in the oven for dinner tonight.
• Let's braise these veggies real quick before serving.
• She had to braise her temper before responding to the rude customer.

noun A sharp, metallic sound

verb To make or cause to make a sharp, metallic sound

• The sommelier demonstrated the proper way to clink glasses before a toast.
• Let's clink our glasses together before taking a sip!
• We should totally clink our drinks for good luck!
• The sound of the coins clinking in his pocket reminded him of his wealth.

noun a painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles

verb to suffer from or experience cramps

• She experienced a severe cramp in her calf muscle during the marathon.
• I had to stop running because of a cramp in my side.
• Ugh, I hate when I get a cramp in my leg while working out.
• The cramp in their progress was due to unforeseen obstacles.

noun a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame

verb to dismiss someone from a job or position

adjective relating to or involving fire

• The firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the raging fire in the building.
• We gathered around the fire pit to roast marshmallows and tell stories.
• The party was lit - there was a bonfire and everyone was having a great time.
• Her passion for music was like a fire that burned brightly within her soul.

verb to cover with a smooth, shiny, or glassy coating

adjective having a smooth, shiny, or glassy surface

• The glazed finish on the ceramic vase gave it a shiny and smooth appearance.
• I love the glazed donuts from that bakery down the street.
• Let's grab some glazed munchkins for breakfast tomorrow.
• Her eyes were glazed over with tears as she listened to the heartbreaking news.

noun a room or area where food is prepared and cooked

adjective relating to a kitchen or suitable for use in a kitchen

• The chef spent hours perfecting the dishes in the kitchen.
• I'll meet you in the kitchen for a snack later.
• Let's hang out in the kitchen and chat.
• The kitchen of creativity is where ideas are cooked up and served to the world.

noun a room or large cupboard for storing food, typically in a house or large institution

• The larder was well-stocked with a variety of preserved foods.
• I found some snacks in the larder for our movie night.
• Let's raid the larder for some munchies.
• Her mind was a larder of memories, each one carefully preserved.

adjective describing something that is untidy or disorganized

• The messy paperwork on the desk needs to be organized.
• My room is so messy right now, I can't find anything!
• Her hair was a hot mess after being caught in the rain.
• The situation became messy when emotions started to run high.

noun a small piece or portion that has been pared off something larger

verb the act of cutting away the outer layer of something

• The chef carefully selected the knife for paring the vegetables.
• I need to find a good knife for paring these apples.
• Let me grab the sharp knife for paring these potatoes.
• She was skilled at paring down complex ideas into simple concepts.

noun A kitchen servant who performs menial tasks such as cleaning and washing dishes

• The scullion was responsible for washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen in the castle.
• The scullion complained about having to scrub pots and pans all day.
• I heard the scullion got in trouble for sneaking extra food from the kitchen.
• In the hierarchy of the restaurant, he was considered the scullion of the group, always doing the dirty work.

noun a device used to measure or record time, especially one used in cooking or sports

• The timer on the oven will alert us when the cake is done baking.
• Don't forget to set the timer for the laundry so it doesn't sit in the machine too long.
• I always use the timer on my phone to make sure I don't oversleep.
• The timer is ticking on our project deadline, we need to work efficiently to finish on time.

noun a French culinary term meaning 'put in place'; refers to the practice of gathering and organizing all ingredients and tools needed for a recipe before starting to cook

• The chef emphasized the importance of mise en place before starting the cooking process.
• Make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Don't forget to get your stuff together before you begin cooking.
• In life, having a good mise en place can help you stay organized and efficient in achieving your goals.

verb to prepare poultry by removing the backbone and flattening it out before cooking

• The chef spatchcocked the chicken before roasting it in the oven.
• I spatchcocked the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
• My friend showed me a cool trick for spatchcocking a duck.
• The team spatchcocked their game plan to adapt to the opponent's strategy.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun

• By properly maintaining your car, it’ll keep running smoothly for years to come.
• If you water the plant regularly, it’ll keep growing strong and healthy.
• Just stick to your exercise routine and it’ll keep you looking fit and fab.
• If you nurture your relationships, it’ll keep your heart full of love and joy.