Collocations Cooking

Preparing

prepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fish

weigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/the ingredients

wash/rinse the lettuce/spinach/watercress

chop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoes

peel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orange

grate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmeg

remove/discard the bones/seeds/skin

blend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredients

beat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whites

knead/shape/roll (out) the dough

Cooking

heat the oil in a frying pan

preheat/heat the oven/(British English) the grill/(North American English) the broiler

bring to (British English) the boil/(North American English) a boil

stir constantly/gently with a wooden spoon

reduce the heat

simmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by half

melt the butter/chocolate/cheese/sugar

brown the meat for 8–20 minutes

drain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colander

mash the potatoes/banana/avocado

Ways of cooking

cook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Persian dish

bake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/(especially North American English) cookies/(British English) biscuits/a pie/potatoes/fish/scones/muffins

boil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/water

fry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetables

grill meat/steak/chicken/sausages/a hot dog

roast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/lamb

sauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetables

steam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplings

toast bread/nuts

microwave food/popcorn/(British English) a ready meal

Serving

serve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoes

arrange the slices on a plate/in a layer

carve the meat/lamb/chicken/turkey

dress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrette

top with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrup

garnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orange

sprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper