Parboil Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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parboil
[ˈpɑːrˌbɔɪl ]
Definition
cooking
To partially cook by boiling. Parboiling is often used as a preparation method for further cooking, such as grilling or roasting.
Synonyms
partially boil, precook.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| parboil |
Parboil is typically used in cooking when food, usually vegetables, needs to be boiled partially before being cooked through another method like frying or roasting.
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| partially boil |
Partially boil is a more descriptive and straightforward term compared to 'parboil'. It is used to describe the same process but is often favored in casual or instructional contexts.
|
| precook |
Precook refers broadly to cooking food partially or entirely before a later use or final preparation. It is often used in the context of preparing meals in advance or when referring to food industries.
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Examples of usage
- Before grilling the chicken, the chef decided to parboil it to ensure it was cooked through.
- The recipe instructed to parboil the vegetables before adding them to the stir-fry.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Culinary Techniques
- This method helps soften foods, making it easier to finish cooking them later.
- By parboiling vegetables before frying, they can retain more nutrients and color.
- Parboiling grains, like rice or pasta, ensures they cook evenly without becoming mushy later.
Cultural Practices
- In many Asian cuisines, parboiling is crucial for preparing vegetables before stir-frying to keep their crunch.
- Southern cooking often employs this technique for preparing ingredients in dishes like gumbo and jambalaya.
Science of Cooking
- Parboiling develops a gelatinized exterior on grains, which helps prevent overcooking during the main cooking phase.
- The heat from parboiling can also kill harmful bacteria, making food safer to eat before further cooking.
Health and Nutrition
- This technique can reduce cooking time, allowing you to preserve some nutrients that can be lost in longer cooking processes.
- Parboiling can help remove some undesirable flavors or toxins from certain foods, such as potatoes or beans.
Origin of 'parboil'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the combination of 'part' and 'boil', indicating the process is only partially cooking.
- It has roots in Middle French, where 'parboillir' means to boil thoroughly, reflecting a cooking technique evolution.
The term 'parboil' originated in the late 15th century and combines 'par,' meaning thoroughly, and 'boil.' It has been used historically in cooking terminologies to refer to the process of partially boiling food items before further cooking. Parboiling helps to soften the food and reduce the overall cooking time.