1[transitive, intransitive]to cook food in an oven without extra fat or liquid; to be cooked in this waybake (something)baked applesthe delicious smell of baking breadbake something for somebodyI'm baking a birthday cake for Alex.bake somebody somethingI'm baking Alex a cake.2[intransitive, transitive]to become or to make something become hard by heatingThe bricks are left in the kiln to bake.bake something (+ adjective)The sun had baked the ground hard.3[intransitive] (informal) to be or become very hotWe sat baking in the sun. see also half-baked
Usage note: CookingPreparingprepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fishweigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/the ingredientswash/rinse the lettuce/spinach/watercresschop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoespeel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orangegrate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmegremove/discard the bones/seeds/skinblend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredientsbeat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whitesknead/shape/roll (out) the doughCookingheat the oil in a frying panpreheat/heat the oven/(British English) the grill/(North American English) the broilerbring to (British English) the boil/(North American English) a boilstir constantly/gently with a wooden spoonreduce the heatsimmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by halfmelt the butter/chocolate/cheese/sugarbrown the meat for 8-20 minutesdrain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colandermash the potatoes/banana/avocadoWays of cookingcook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Persian dishbake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/(especially North American English) cookies/(British English) biscuits/a pie/potatoes/fish/scones/muffinsboil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/waterfry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetablesgrill meat/steak/chicken/sausages/a hot dogroast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/lambsauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetablessteam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplingstoast bread/nutsmicrowave food/popcorn/(British English) a ready mealServingserve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoesarrange the slices on a plate/in a layercarve the meat/lamb/chicken/turkeydress/toss a saladdress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrettetop with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrupgarnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orangesprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper
beɪk
beɪk
1 [transitive, intransitive] to cook food in an oven without extra fat or liquid; to be cooked in this waybake (something) baked applesthe delicious smell of baking breadbake something for somebody I'm baking a birthday cake for Alex.bake somebody something I'm baking Alex a cake.2 [intransitive, transitive] to become or to make something become hard by heatingThe bricks are left in the kiln to bake.bake something (+ adjective) The sun had baked the ground hard.3 [intransitive] (informal) to be or become very hotWe sat baking in the sun. see also half-baked
Usage note: CookingPreparingprepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fishweigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/the ingredientswash/rinse the lettuce/spinach/watercresschop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoespeel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orangegrate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmegremove/discard the bones/seeds/skinblend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredientsbeat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whitesknead/shape/roll (out) the doughCookingheat the oil in a frying panpreheat/heat the oven/(British English) the grill/(North American English) the broilerbring to (British English) the boil/(North American English) a boilstir constantly/gently with a wooden spoonreduce the heatsimmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by halfmelt the butter/chocolate/cheese/sugarbrown the meat for 8-20 minutesdrain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colandermash the potatoes/banana/avocadoWays of cookingcook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Persian dishbake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/(especially North American English) cookies/(British English) biscuits/a pie/potatoes/fish/scones/muffinsboil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/waterfry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetablesgrill meat/steak/chicken/sausages/a hot dogroast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/lambsauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetablessteam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplingstoast bread/nutsmicrowave food/popcorn/(British English) a ready mealServingserve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoesarrange the slices on a plate/in a layercarve the meat/lamb/chicken/turkeydress/toss a saladdress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrettetop with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrupgarnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orangesprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper