This Italian expression meaning "by the tooth" describes pasta cooked a shorter time so that it has just slight resistance when chewed. Fresh pasta is too soft already to be cooked al dente. The term also describes cooking vegetables until crisp by steaming, boiling, or stir-frying. Example

To cook in the oven. While roasting is often used as a synonym for baking, the terms are actually different. Roasting describes cooking food at a higher temperature to brown the surface of the food quickly.

To cook in the oven. While roasting is often used as a synonym for baking, the terms are actually different. Roasting describes cooking food at a higher temperature to brown the surface of the food quickly.

To moisten food during cooking with pan drippings, sauce, or other liquid, often with the help of a baster. Basting prevents foods from drying out.

To blend a mixture of food quickly with the goal of making it smooth and adding as much air as possible.

To submerge foods in boiling water for just a few seconds, remove from the water, and refresh under cold water to stop the cooking process. Blanching is a gentle form of cooking used to loosen skins, firm flesh, and heighten color and flavor. Example

To heat water until bubbling vigorously and also to cook food in water that is bubbling vigorously. Most often, foods should be poached instead of boiled, because boiling tends to dry out and break down food too much. See definition below for poaching.

To cook in a small amount of liquid (also called stewing or pot roasting), rather than being submerged in liquid, as in boiling/poaching. Braising usually concentrates the food's flavor in the surrounding liquid for the purpose of making a sauce or coating.

To coat the surface of a food with a flour or breadcrumb mixture before cooking or frying, usually to create a crunchy surface.

To cook close to a direct heat source, such as a gas flame or an electric coil. Broiling cooks food in just a couple minutes with a nice browned exterior (especially good for tender steaks).