Simmering vs Boiling: A Guide to Perfect Cooking Techniques
Learn the difference between simmering and boiling, and discover when to use each technique for optimal cooking results.
Notes
Simmering allows flavors to meld gently, while boiling is efficient for quick cooking tasks. Choose the right technique for your recipe.
Steps
- 1 Understand simmering: maintain a gentle bubble, ideal for delicate foods like soups and stews.
- 2 Recognize boiling: vigorous bubble action, perfect for pasta and vegetables.
- 3 Control heat: adjust to achieve a simmer for gentle cooking or a rolling boil for faster cooking.
- 4 Monitor temperature: simmering is around 185°F to 205°F, while boiling is at 212°F.
- 5 Use simmering for sauces to prevent curdling or breaking.
- 6 Boil eggs for hard-boiled perfection, ensuring they cook through quickly.
- 7 Simmer grains like rice for even cooking without a mushy texture.
- 8 Always start with a boil for pasta, then simmer to cook evenly.
Ingredients to explore
Aioli
A luscious, velvety emulsion of garlic and olive oil, aioli is a rich and aromatic sauce that dances on the palate with its creamy texture and bold, pungent flavor.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a plant-based milk alternative made from ground almonds and water. Originating from traditional recipes in medieval Europe and the Middle East, it has gained widespread popularity in modern times as a dairy-free option. Almond milk has a subtly nutty flavor with a mild sweetness, and its aroma is reminiscent of fresh almonds. Its texture is smooth and creamy, though typically lighter than dairy milk. In cooking, almond milk behaves well in both savory and sweet applications, though it does not brown or caramelize like dairy milk. It is often used in cereals, smoothies, and baking, where its delicate flavor complements rather than overpowers other ingredients.
Recipes to try
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp and Asparagus Sheet Pan
Bright and zesty, this sheet pan dinner is a burst of sunshine with tender shrimp and crisp asparagus in a luscious garlic butter sauce.
Sweet Chili Glazed Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Juicy meatballs cloaked in a sticky-sweet chili glaze, nestled in crisp lettuce cups for a flavor explosion with every bite.