precooks
Heats food early
Precooks is the third-person singular form of precook, meaning to cook food partially or completely before its final preparation.
The technique saves time during meal service or allows advance preparation: She precooks the rice so dinner comes together faster.
Precooking is common in meal prep, food manufacturing, and restaurant kitchens.
Prepared in advance, standardized
- microwaveableSafe for radiation cooking
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- instantBriefest unit of time
- heat-and-eatFood needing only warming
pre-packaged · store-bought · packaged · shelf-stable · single-serving · grab-and-go · vacuum-sealed · deli
Partially cooking in water
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
- sautéingQuick cooking in fat
- searingBrowning with intense heat
- browningFood darkening when cooked
marinating · brining · seasoning · portioning · dicing · chopping · simmering · roasting
Kitchen heating appliance
- ovenEnclosed cooking chamber
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- stovetopBurner platform for cooking
- containersObjects for holding things
skillet · thermometer · timer · freezer
Reducing required duration
- meal-prepPreparing food in advance
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- shortcutsQuicker methods or paths
- quickMoving with speed
speedy · efficient · planning · scheduling · portioning · freezing · reheating · organizing
ready-made
Prepared in advance, standardized
- microwaveableSafe for radiation cooking
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- instantBriefest unit of time
heat-and-eat · pre-packaged · store-bought · packaged · shelf-stable · single-serving · grab-and-go · vacuum-sealed · deli · takeout
parboiling
Partially cooking in water
browning · marinating · brining · seasoning · portioning · dicing · chopping · simmering · roasting · grilling
stove
Kitchen heating appliance
- ovenEnclosed cooking chamber
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- stovetopBurner platform for cooking
containers · skillet · thermometer · timer · freezer
time-saving
Reducing required duration
- meal-prepPreparing food in advance
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- shortcutsQuicker methods or paths
quick · speedy · efficient · planning · scheduling · portioning · freezing · reheating · organizing · simplifying