sweat

Definition

Cooking vegetables gently in fat over low heat until they soften and release moisture, without browning. Like a vegetable sauna that builds flavor foundations without the tan.

Example Usage

Sweat the onions until they're translucent but not colored—we want sweet, not caramelized.

Origin

Culinary term from the visible moisture released during cooking

Fun Fact

Sweating aromatics like onions or shallots develops their sweet, mellow flavors by breaking down cell walls without triggering the Maillard reaction that causes browning.

Source: Fundamental cooking techniques

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