tenderizer

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Tenderizer

Definition:
A "tenderizer" is a noun that refers to a substance or tool used to make meat softer and easier to chew. This can be done by breaking down the tough fibers in the meat.

Advanced Usage:

In cooking, there are different types of tenderizers: 1. Chemical Tenderizers: These often contain enzymes, such as papain (from papayas) or bromelain (from pineapples), which break down proteins in the meat. 2. Mechanical Tenderizers: These are tools, like meat mallets or tenderizing hammers, that physically break down the fibers in the meat.

Word Variants:

• Tenderize (verb): The action of making meat tender. Example: "I will tenderize the chicken before cooking it."
• Tenderizing (gerund/noun): The process of making meat tender. Example: "Tenderizing the meat is an important step in this recipe."

Different Meanings:

While "tenderizer" primarily refers to something that makes meat tender, it can also be used in a broader sense to describe anything that softens or eases a situation or material.

Synonyms:

• Meat mallet: A tool used to pound meat.
• Enzyme: A substance that helps to break down proteins.
• Softener: A general term for something that makes a material softer.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "tenderizer," but you might hear phrases like "to soften the blow," which means to make a difficult situation easier to handle, similar to how a tenderizer makes meat easier to chew.

Summary:

A "tenderizer" is a helpful term in cooking, especially for meat dishes. It can be a chemical substance or a tool used to soften meat, making it more enjoyable to eat.

Academic

Noun

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

Synonyms

• tenderiser