shock it

Definition

To plunge blanched or cooked items into ice water, immediately halting the cooking process and preserving color and texture. The culinary emergency brake.

Example Usage

Blanch those green beans for two minutes, then shock them in ice water.

Origin

Culinary technique terminology, referring to thermal shock

Fun Fact

Properly shocking vegetables is the difference between vibrant green beans and the mushy, olive-drab disappointments from your childhood cafeteria.

Source: Culinary preparation technique terminology

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