 coat or immerse foods in a liquid or dry rub, to add flavor before cooking and eating.
Mash- To beat or press a food to remove lumps and make a smooth mixture.
Mince - To cut food into tiny irregular pieces. The smallest form of chopped..
Mix -To beat or stir two or more foods together until they are thoroughly combined.
Puree -To mash or sieve food into a thick liquid.
Reduce- To cook liquids down so that some of the water evaporates often causing the remaining mixture to thicken.
Roast- To cook uncovered in the oven.
Sauté- To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil in a skillet or frying pan over direct heat.
Season -To enhance the flavor of foods by adding ingredients like: pepper, oregano, basil, cinnamon and a variety of other herbs, spices, condiments and vinegars.
Shred -To cut or tear into long narrow strips, either by hand or by using a grater or food processor.
Simmer- A very low boil that cooks food in a liquid at a low enough temperature so that small bubbles begin to break the surface and around the edge of the pot..
Steam -To cook over boiling water in a covered pan, this method keeps foods' shape, texture and nutritional value intact better than methods such as boiling. Best to use a wire basket for this.
Stir-Fry- The fast cooking of small pieces of meat and vegetables over very high heat with continual and rapid stirring.
Toss -To thoroughly combine several ingredients by mixing lightly.
Vinaigrette- Refers to any sauce made with vinegar, oil and seasonings.
Whisk - To mix or fluff by beating; also refers to the utensil used for this action.
Zest (noun) - The thin brightly colored outer part of the rind of citrus fruits. They contain volatile oils used as a flavoring. Can be grated or in strips.
Zest (verb) - The act of removing the outer part of citrus fruits using a paring knife, grater, microplane or “zester.”
Article copyright © 2014 American Heart Association. This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association's Simple Cooking with Heart © Program. For more articles and simple, quick and affordable recipes, visit heart.org/simplecooking.