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water

water

OtherYear-round

Water is calorie-free and essential for hydration and metabolic function. It contains no macronutrients but may provide trace minerals depending on source (mineral water) or lack them entirely (distilled water).

About

Water (H₂O) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless chemical compound essential to all known forms of life, consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. It exists in three primary states—solid (ice), liquid, and gaseous (steam)—and comprises approximately 60% of the adult human body. In culinary contexts, water serves as a universal solvent and medium for cooking, with properties that vary by source (mineral, spring, filtered, distilled, or tap) and composition, affecting flavor and cooking outcomes.

In professional cooking, water quality significantly impacts final dishes. Hard water (mineral-rich) and soft water (low mineral content) influence extraction rates in tea and coffee, dissolution of salt and sugar, and the texture of baked goods and pasta. Tap water, spring water, filtered water, and mineral water each impart different mineral profiles that subtly influence flavor development and chemical reactions during cooking.

Culinary Uses

Water is the fundamental medium in cooking, serving multiple functions across all culinary traditions. It is used for boiling, steaming, poaching, and braising proteins and vegetables; dissolving ingredients such as salt, sugar, and leavening agents; creating stocks, broths, and soups; and regulating temperature and texture in baking and pastry work. In beverages, water serves as the base for tea, coffee, and broths. The quality and mineral content of water directly affect cooking results—mineral water can enhance flavor in stocks, while filtered water may be preferred for delicate preparations like consommé or when precise flavor control is necessary.

Used In

Recipes Using water (2,668)

RCI-ND.006.0048.001

Meatless Lasagna

Meatless Lasagna a vegetarian take on a large pasta based meal.

RCI-MT.005.0189.001

Meatloaf II

Midwestern cuisine

RCI-MT.005.0192.001

Meat Loaf with Vegetables

Serves 8

RCI-SC.007.0205.001

Meat Marinade

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.006.0199.001

Meat Pie

Meat Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0196.001

Meat Sauce

Meat Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0212.001

Meat with Plantains

Meat with Plantains from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0567.001

Mediterranean Baked Chicken

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Prep: 10 minutes |

RCI-SF.005.0037.001

Mediterranean Catfish Stew

Mediterranean Catfish Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0406.001

Mediterranean-style Tomato Soup

This recipe meets the requirements for the new soy protein health claim! Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving provides 11 grams of soy protein.

RCI-SP.003.0407.001

Meena's Easy Chicken Chili

Recipe by Hooked on Heat

RCI-SP.006.0043.001

Meggyleves

Sour cherry soup

Mejadra
RCI-VG.004.0863.001

Mejadra

Extremely simple to cook, this dish is a fundamental component of Middle Eastern cuisine. It provides carbohydrates, proteins, and a full stomach. It also tastes great. When cooked with rice, this recipe is gluten-free.

RCI-DS.002.0132.001

Mellow Mango Pops

Mellow Mango Pops from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0201.001

Mennonite Old-fashioned Beef Pot Pie

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 6 to 8

RCI-VG.004.0867.001

Mercimek Salatasi

Mercimek Salatasi - Lentil Salad

RCI-SP.002.0129.001

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Yield: about 8 ser

RCI-DS.003.0212.001

Mexican Fudge

Mexican Fudge from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0214.001

Mexican Meat Mix

This recipe goes with Flautas, Taco Pizza, Stuffed Baked Potatoes Contributed by PressureCookerRecipes Y-Group Source: Oscar Gomez, Tucson, Arizona in Southern Living, November 2000 Yield: 9 cups

RCI-SP.003.0411.001

Mexican pot pie

Mexican pot pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0203.001

Mexican Sausage Pie

Mexican Sausage Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0126.001

Mexican White Rice

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-VG.002.0091.001

Mexi-Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes, Dehydrated Flakes, Dry by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya
RCI-RC.006.0081.001

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya Here is the MGM Grand specialty Spicy Jambalaya. This is in a large quantity so you may want to consider cutting this one back in size.

RCI-BR.001.0157.001

Micha Bread

Micha Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0055.001

Microwave Porridge

Makes one portion

RCI-VG.004.0876.001

Mike Roy's Ham Bone Bean Soup

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Come Into

RCI-PF.001.0020.001

Milinciani sutt’ Oghiu

Egglants preserved in oil.

RCI-VG.004.0881.001

Milk Rice (Gossi)

Milk Rice (Gossi) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0349.001

Milk Tapioca Pudding

If you add enough sugar, it will erase all the yucky elements of this!

RCI-SW.002.0069.002

Milk toast

Milk toast is a breakfast food consisting of toasted bread dipped in milk.

RCI-SW.002.0069.001

Milk toast

Milk toast is a breakfast food consisting of toasted bread dipped in milk.

RCI-BR.004.0346.001

Milky Way Cake

10 inch tube pan or 12 cup bundt pan

RCI-BR.003.0277.001

Millet Quick Bread

I make my own breads as i don't care for the wheat-free, egg-free, milk-free breads that you can buy. Our favorite here for a sandwich bread is this one. This bread is very good lightly toasted. This recipe makes 2 slightly small loaves.

RCI-RC.005.0057.001

Millet-Sweet Potato Congee

Millet-Sweet Potato Congee from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0882.001

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0419.001

Minestrone Soup I

Easily turn this into a vegetarian soup by using vegetable stock instead of water and chicken stock cube.

RCI-SN.003.0167.001

Miniature Crab Rice Puffs

Makes 4 dozen puffs.

RCI-BR.006.0208.001

Mini Mango Mousse Tarts

Mini Mango Mousse Tarts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0422.001

Mini Meatball Soup

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray Show: 30 Minute Meals Episode: 30-Minute Chocolate Blast From "Catsrecipes Y-Group"

RCI-SC.005.0108.001

Mint Chutney I

Active time: 10 min | Start to finish: 30 min Makes about 1¼ cups

RCI-VG.004.0885.001

Minted Pea Soup

Minted Pea Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0350.001

Miracle Rise Chocolate Cake

Miracle Rise Chocolate Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0169.001

Mishakiki

Mishakiki are skewer-grilled marinated meat, also called Swahili shish kebabs.

RCI-VG.004.0888.001

Misir Wat - Ethiopian Lentil Stew

Misir Wat - Ethiopian Lentil Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0889.001

Misir Wot

Lentil stew - Elisabeth Freeman This is an Ethiopian recipe. Berbere is a traditional Ethiopian spice, which is hard to find in the US (don't know about other countries). If you can't find it, you can fake it.

RCI-ND.005.0080.001

Miso Noodle Soup

Miso Noodle Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0209.001

Mixed Berry Lemon Fruit Crisp

Makes 8 servings

RCI-RC.005.0058.001

Mixed Grain

Mixed Grain from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0218.001

Mixed Nut Torrone

Recipe by MsJoelBoxer Uploaded by Drimble Wedge I posted looking for a recipe for torrone (Italian nougat candy) because I was getting so many conflicting temperatures while searching recipes.