Verbs are one of the best ways to add verve to writing–any kind of writing. So if you’re a food writer, be sure to take advantages of culinary verbs that sizzle. At the top you see the culinary verb “to pipe” being demonstrated. At right you see the verb “to drizzle” in action; the maple sauce recipe is here. At left below I’m shown glazing the cake here. At the very bottom you see a cookie that has just been piped, being “marbled.” It’s a pastry decorating action that swirls together two fluid ingredients; a recipe showing marbling is here.
Below is just a starter list of cooking verbs that can liven prose. For more on improving your food writing, check out:
Prose that Makes Readers Hungry for the Food
Grammar Rules for Punching Up Prose
Hi Polly, I think the easiest thing to do would be for you to e-mail me your address. If you look at the contact tab at the top of my website, it provides my info. Then I can just send you a personalized signature to put in your copy of the book.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, indicating what words NOT to use can be helpful also.
Leave it to you to come up with a list like this! How long did it take for you to write it?
I would imagine a long while.
In one of my honors classes my teacher gave me a list of words NOT to use and it forced us to think of more interesting and also appropriate words that really refined our descriptions. I had my best English teachers in high school and I will always remember the way they made me understand the art of the language itself.
I will refer to your list in the future.
I would love to get a copy of your cookie book, but I would love to have you write something in it, if possible.
Who knows, maybe you get 1000's of people asking you this, but not one named Polly Motzko. 🙂
http://CookingUpaStorminCa.ning.com
Very handy list-thanks!