tenderiser

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Word: Tenderiser

Definition: A tenderiser is a noun that refers to a substance or tool used to make meat softer and easier to chew. One common example of a natural tenderiser is papain, which comes from the papaya fruit.

Usage Instructions:

• How to Use: You can use a tenderiser when cooking meat that is tough or chewy. This helps improve the texture and taste of the meat.
• When to Use: Use a tenderiser before cooking to prepare the meat for grilling, frying, or stewing.

Example:

• "I used a meat tenderiser on the steak to make it more tender before grilling it."

Advanced Usage:

• In culinary terms, tenderising can also refer to various methods, such as marinating meat in acidic liquids (like vinegar or lemon juice) or using a mechanical tenderiser that physically breaks down the muscle fibers.

Word Variants:

• Tenderise (verb): The action of making meat tender.
  • Example: "I will tenderise the chicken before I cook it."
• Tender (adjective): Describing meat that is soft and easy to chew.
  • Example: "The roast was so tender that it fell apart easily."

Different Meaning:

• Tender: The word "tender" can also mean gentle, kind, or affectionate when used as an adjective.
  • Example: "She gave him a tender smile."

Synonyms:

• Softener
• Meat mallet (when referring to the tool)
• Marinade (when referring to a mixture used for tenderising)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "To tenderise the situation": This idiom means to make a difficult or tense situation easier to handle.
  • Example: "He tried to tenderise the situation by bringing humor into the meeting."

Summary:

A tenderiser is an important tool or ingredient in cooking that helps to make meat softer, enhancing its flavor and texture.

Academic

Noun

1. a substance (as the plant enzyme papain) applied to meat to make it tender

Synonyms

• tenderizer