Cooking & the Kitchen

Getting dinner on the table — chopping, simmering, and everything in between.

20 words

1. kitchen n. /ˈkɪtʃən/

the room in a house or building where people prepare and cook food. It usually contains a stove, a sink, and a refrigerator.
2. cook n. /ˈkʊk/

someone who prepares and makes food for people to eat. You use this word for anyone from a person at home to a professional in a kitchen.
3. bake v. /ˈbeɪk/

to cook food in an oven using dry heat, or a dish made this way.
4. boil v. /ˈbɔɪɫ/

to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns into steam, or to cook food in very hot water.
5. fry n. /ˈfɹaɪ/

a meal of various fried foods, often served for breakfast. You might hear this word used to describe a full plate of eggs, bacon, and sausages.
6. roast v. /ˈɹoʊst/

to cook food in an oven or over a fire; it also means to criticize someone in a funny or harsh way.
7. grill n. /ˈɡɹɪɫ/

a common word for cooking food over or under heat, a piece of kitchen equipment, or asking someone many difficult questions.
8. simmer v. /ˈsɪmɝ/

to cook food in liquid that is almost boiling but not quite. You use this when you want to cook something slowly and gently.
9. chop v. /ˈtʃɑp/

to cut something into small pieces, usually with a knife or axe; as a noun, it can mean a piece of meat or rough water.
10. slice n. /ˈsɫaɪs/

a flat, thin piece of food like bread or cake; it also means to cut something into these pieces or a specific type of hit in sports.
11. stir v. /ˈstɝ/

to move a liquid or substance around with a spoon or tool to mix it. You do this when cooking to stop food from burning or to blend ingredients together.
12. whisk n. /ˈhwɪsk/

a kitchen tool made of wire loops used for mixing things like eggs or cream. You use it to add air to your food to make it light and fluffy.
13. peel n. /ˈpiɫ/

the outer skin of a fruit or vegetable. You usually remove it before eating the food inside.
14. ingredient n. /ˌɪnˈɡɹidiənt/

a part of a mixture, most often used for the food items you need to cook a specific dish or the qualities needed for success.
15. oven n. /ˈəvən/

a kitchen tool used for cooking food with heat; it can also mean a very hot room or, more rarely, the act of cooking something in an oven.
16. stove n. /ˈstoʊv/

a piece of equipment used for cooking food or heating a room by burning fuel or using electricity.
17. knife n. /ˈnaɪf/

a sharp tool or weapon used for cutting, slicing, or stabbing; it can also be used as a verb to describe the act of cutting or attacking someone with one.
18. blender n. /ˈbɫɛndɝ/

a kitchen machine with a tall jar and sharp blades that mixes, chops, or smooths food. You use it to make smoothies, soups, or sauces.
19. flour n. /ˈfɫaʊɝ/

a fine powder made by crushing grains like wheat, used for baking bread and cakes; it can also be used as a verb meaning to cover something in this powder.
20. spice n. /ˈspaɪs/

a common word for dried plants used to flavor food, or the quality of being exciting and interesting.