# Food & Cooking Categories Mastery Food is one of the most delicious categories in NYT Connections! From basic ingredients to exotic cuisines, from cooking techniques to kitchen equipment, this guide will help you spot every food-related pattern on the menu. ## Basic Food Groups ### 🥗 Ingredients & Produce ### 🥩 Proteins & Meats

Protein Categories

Meat Cuts

• SIRLOIN, RIBEYE, FILET, CHUCK
• BREAST, THIGH, WING, DRUMSTICK

Seafood

• SALMON, TUNA, COD, HALIBUT
• SHRIMP, LOBSTER, CRAB, SCALLOP

## Cooking Methods & Techniques ### 🔥 Heat-Based Cooking

Ways to Cook

Dry Heat Methods

BAKE, ROAST, GRILL, BROIL

Moist Heat Methods

BOIL, STEAM, POACH, SIMMER

Oil-Based Methods

FRY, SAUTÉ, DEEP-FRY, STIR-FRY

### 🔪 Preparation Techniques

Cutting & Prep Methods

• Cutting: CHOP, DICE, MINCE, SLICE
• Other Prep: PEEL, GRATE, ZEST, SHRED
• Mixing: FOLD, WHISK, BEAT, STIR

## Cuisines & Dishes ### 🌍 International Cuisines ### 🍽️ Meal Categories

Types of Dishes

Breakfast Items

PANCAKE, WAFFLE, OMELET, CEREAL

Desserts

CAKE, PIE, COOKIE, BROWNIE

Appetizers

WINGS, NACHOS, BRUSCHETTA, CALAMARI

Soups

CHOWDER, BISQUE, GAZPACHO, MINESTRONE

## Kitchen Equipment & Tools ### 🍳 Cooking Vessels

Pots, Pans & More

• Pans: SKILLET, WOK, GRIDDLE, SAUTÉ
• Pots: STOCK, SAUCE, DUTCH, PRESSURE
• Baking: SHEET, LOAF, MUFFIN, BUNDT

### 🥄 Utensils & Gadgets

Kitchen Tools

Hand Tools

WHISK, LADLE, SPATULA, TONGS

Appliances

MIXER, BLENDER, PROCESSOR, TOASTER

## Tricky Food Categories ### ⚠️ Double Meanings in Food

Watch Out For These!

ORANGE

Fruit OR color - context matters!

TURKEY

The bird OR the country OR bowling term

BEAN

Food OR slang for head OR small amount

TOAST

Bread OR celebratory speech OR "done for"

### 🎯 Food Brands vs Generic

Brand Name Confusion

Sometimes puzzles mix brand names with generic terms:

• CHEERIOS, FROSTED FLAKES, LUCKY CHARMS, CORN FLAKES
• COKE, PEPSI, SPRITE, SODA
• OREO, CHIPS AHOY, NUTTER BUTTER, COOKIE

## Flavor & Taste Categories ### 👅 Basic Tastes

Flavor Profiles

The Five Basic Tastes

SWEET, SOUR, SALTY, BITTER, UMAMI

Spice Levels

MILD, MEDIUM, HOT, EXTRA HOT

## Quick Reference: Food Category Scan

Food & Cooking Checklist

Ingredients

☐ Fruits & vegetables
☐ Herbs & spices
☐ Proteins & dairy
☐ Grains & starches

Cooking

☐ Cooking methods
☐ Prep techniques
☐ Kitchen tools
☐ Measurements

Dishes & Culture

☐ Cuisine types
☐ Meal categories
☐ Restaurant terms
☐ Food brands

## Pro Tips for Food Categories 1. **Think Broadly**: Food categories can include brands, restaurants, or cooking shows 2. **Consider All Meanings**: Many food words have non-food meanings too 3. **Know Basic Cooking**: Understanding cooking terms helps spot patterns 4. **Cultural Awareness**: Recognize dishes from different cuisines 5. **Check for Themes**: Holiday foods, summer BBQ items, etc. ## Read Next

Color Categories Guide

Many foods are strongly associated with specific colors.

Double-Meaning Words

Food words often have surprising alternative meanings.