parboil

Cook partway through

To parboil is to partially cook something by boiling it briefly, usually as a preliminary step before finishing by another method.

Potatoes are parboiled before roasting to ensure a fluffy interior.

Ribs may be parboiled before grilling.

Parboil the carrots for five minutes, then sauté them in butter.

method

blanch

Scald briefly, then cool

scaldBurn with hot liquid
simmerCook just under boiling
poachCook gently submerged

steam · braise · stew · sous-vide · coddle · precook · parcook · undercook · immerse · submerge

preparation

prep

Readiness work, abbreviated

tenderizeMake less tough
softenMake less firm
loosenReduce tension or grip

precondition · ready · pretreat · soak · hydrate · moisten · warm · heat · temper · shock

ingredients

rice

Staple cereal grain

potatoesEdible underground tubers
vegetablesEdible plants, not fruits
greensLeafy edible plants

pasta · noodles · grains · carrots · broccoli · cabbage · beans · ribs · chicken · pork

purpose

time-saving

Reducing required duration

efficientProductive without waste
shortcutQuicker alternative path
quickMoving with speed

expedite · accelerate · meal-prep · make-ahead · freeze · store · convenience · weeknight · advance

technique

partial

Favoring one side

halfwayAt the midpoint
brieflyIn few words
lightlyWith little weight

gently · timing · minutes · fork-tender · set · firm · colander · strainer

Categories

cooking termsbaste, baking, blanch, braise, roasting
heat and fireignite, burn, flame, blaze, combust
cookingbaking, chop, boiling, dice, mince

Opposites

degree of cooking

parboilovercook

Cook beyond readiness

overboil · undercook · well-done · raw · stew

temperature treatment

parboilfreeze

Become solid from cold

chill · refrigerate · ice · deep-freeze · cool

Phrases

parboiled riceGrain partially cooked in husk

Family

parboiled, parboiling, parboils

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G