precooking
Heating food beforehand
Precooking is cooking food partially or fully before its final preparation.
Home cooks precook ingredients to save time later: She spent Sunday precooking meals for the week.
Restaurants precook items during slow periods to speed service during rushes.
Food manufacturers precook products so consumers need only reheat them.
Briefly boiling then cooling
- parboilingPartially cooking in water
- steamingReleasing hot vapor
- sous-videSealed, temperature-controlled water cooking
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
braising · searing · par-baking · parcooking · brining · marinating · tenderizing · defrosting
Pre-prepared food kept frozen
- meal prepAdvance food preparation
- make-aheadPrepared in advance
- food storagePreserving consumables for later
- containersObjects for holding things
portioning · reheating · freezing · refrigerating · labeling · menu planning
Pre-cooking ingredient arrangement
- choppingCutting into pieces
- seasoningSubstance improving food taste
- measuringDetermining size or amount
- washingCleaning with liquid
peeling · dicing · slicing · mincing · trimming · portioning · vegetable prep
Reducing required duration
- convenienceEase of use
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- quick mealsRapidly prepared dishes
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
fast-track · minimal effort · grab-and-go · pre-prepared · stress-free
blanching
Briefly boiling then cooling
- parboilingPartially cooking in water
- steamingReleasing hot vapor
- sous-videSealed, temperature-controlled water cooking
poaching · braising · searing · par-baking · parcooking · brining · marinating · tenderizing · defrosting · soaking
freezer meals
Pre-prepared food kept frozen
- meal prepAdvance food preparation
- make-aheadPrepared in advance
- food storagePreserving consumables for later
containers · portioning · reheating · freezing · refrigerating · labeling · menu planning
mise en place
Pre-cooking ingredient arrangement
- choppingCutting into pieces
- seasoningSubstance improving food taste
- measuringDetermining size or amount
washing · peeling · dicing · slicing · mincing · trimming · portioning · vegetable prep
time-saving
Reducing required duration
- convenienceEase of use
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- quick mealsRapidly prepared dishes
shortcut · fast-track · minimal effort · grab-and-go · pre-prepared · stress-free