COOKING GLOSSARY

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Simmer

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Definition:

Lots of recipes ask you to simmer your food, but what exactly is a simmer?

You can think of simmering as being between a boil (212°F) and a poach (160-180°F). During a simmer, the surface of the liquid should only be disrupted by small bubbles. Simmers are often use to cook vegetables, stews, soups, and cuts of meats during braises.

What exactly is a simmer? simmering beef broth in stockpot on ceramic cooker.
What exactly is simmering? The picture above depicts a beef stock simmering away. Notice the lack of large bubbles that would indicative of a boil.

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