Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To cook over low heat / to simmer: The action of cooking food slowly using a low flame or low temperature, often for a long period. This method helps flavors to develop and ingredients to become tender without burning.

Usage

• This phrase is used specifically in the context of cooking. It describes a technique, not the state of the fire itself.
• It is commonly used with verbs like nấu (to cook), hầm (to stew/braise), or kho (to simmer in sauce).

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Thịt kho tàu phải nấu nhỏ lửa trong vài giờ mới ngon. (Caramelized pork and eggs must be cooked over low heat for several hours to be delicious.)
  • Cô ấy hầm xương nhỏ lửa suốt buổi sáng để lấy nước dùng ngọt. (She simmered the bones over a low fire all morning to get a sweet broth.)
  • Hãy kho cá nhỏ lửa để thịt cá chắc và thấm gia vị. (Please simmer the fish over low heat so the flesh becomes firm and absorbs the seasoning.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhỏ lửa liu riu": A more descriptive variant emphasizing a very gentle, barely-there simmer.
  • Nồi chè đang sôi liu riu nhỏ lửa. (The sweet soup is bubbling at a very gentle simmer.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lửa nhỏ (n): Literally "small fire," used more as a noun phrase to describe the state of the heat.
  • Nấu với lửa nhỏ. (Cook on low heat.)
• Âm ỉ (adj/adv): Often describes a fire that is smoldering or burning slowly and steadily. It can be used similarly in a culinary context but carries a broader meaning of something persistent.
  • Ngọn lửa âm ỉ cháy. (The fire smoldered.)

Synonyms

• Ninh: To stew/braise for a long time (implies low heat).
• Hầm: To stew/braise.
• Kho: To simmer in a seasoned liquid.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Kiên nhẫn như nấu ăn nhỏ lửa: An idiom meaning "to be as patient as cooking over low heat," highlighting the patience required for this cooking method and, by extension, for achieving good results in other endeavors.
  • Công việc này cần sự kiên nhẫn như nấu ăn nhỏ lửa. (This job requires patience like cooking over low heat.)

1. [Over] a low fire