
water
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)
Meatless Lasagna
Meatless Lasagna a vegetarian take on a large pasta based meal.
Meatloaf II
Midwestern cuisine
Meat Loaf with Vegetables
Serves 8
Meat Marinade
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
Meat Pie
Meat Pie from the Recidemia collection
Meat Sauce
Meat Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Meat with Plantains
Meat with Plantains from the Recidemia collection
Mediterranean Baked Chicken
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Prep: 10 minutes |
Mediterranean Catfish Stew
Mediterranean Catfish Stew from the Recidemia collection
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.
Meena's Easy Chicken Chili
Recipe by Hooked on Heat
Meggyleves
Sour cherry soup

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.
Mellow Mango Pops
Mellow Mango Pops from the Recidemia collection
Mennonite Old-fashioned Beef Pot Pie
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 6 to 8
Mercimek Salatasi
Mercimek Salatasi - Lentil Salad
Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Yield: about 8 ser
Mexican Fudge
Mexican Fudge from the Recidemia collection
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
Mexican pot pie
Mexican pot pie from the Recidemia collection
Mexican Sausage Pie
Mexican Sausage Pie from the Recidemia collection
Mexican White Rice
Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.
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
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.
Micha Bread
Micha Bread from the Recidemia collection
Microwave Porridge
Makes one portion
Mike Roy's Ham Bone Bean Soup
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Come Into
Milinciani sutt’ Oghiu
Egglants preserved in oil.
Milk Rice (Gossi)
Milk Rice (Gossi) from the Recidemia collection
Milk Tapioca Pudding
If you add enough sugar, it will erase all the yucky elements of this!
Milk toast
Milk toast is a breakfast food consisting of toasted bread dipped in milk.
Milk toast
Milk toast is a breakfast food consisting of toasted bread dipped in milk.
Milky Way Cake
10 inch tube pan or 12 cup bundt pan
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.
Millet-Sweet Potato Congee
Millet-Sweet Potato Congee from the Recidemia collection
Minestrone Soup
Minestrone Soup from the Recidemia collection
Minestrone Soup I
Easily turn this into a vegetarian soup by using vegetable stock instead of water and chicken stock cube.
Miniature Crab Rice Puffs
Makes 4 dozen puffs.
Mini Mango Mousse Tarts
Mini Mango Mousse Tarts from the Recidemia collection
Mini Meatball Soup
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray Show: 30 Minute Meals Episode: 30-Minute Chocolate Blast From "Catsrecipes Y-Group"
Mint Chutney I
Active time: 10 min | Start to finish: 30 min Makes about 1¼ cups
Minted Pea Soup
Minted Pea Soup from the Recidemia collection
Miracle Rise Chocolate Cake
Miracle Rise Chocolate Cake from the Recidemia collection
Mishakiki
Mishakiki are skewer-grilled marinated meat, also called Swahili shish kebabs.
Misir Wat - Ethiopian Lentil Stew
Misir Wat - Ethiopian Lentil Stew from the Recidemia collection
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.
Miso Noodle Soup
Miso Noodle Soup from the Recidemia collection
Mixed Berry Lemon Fruit Crisp
Makes 8 servings
Mixed Grain
Mixed Grain from the Recidemia collection
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.