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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-BR.004.0374.001

No cholesterol chocolate cake

No cholesterol chocolate cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0221.001

No-crust Strawberry Pie

Fruit of the Month: Berries by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 8 people with this recipe

RCI-BR.001.0164.001

No-knead Bran Bread

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at

RCI-BR.001.0165.001

No-Knead Bread

No-Knead Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0167.001

No-Knead Cheddar Rolls

No-Knead Cheddar Rolls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0169.001

No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread

High altitude directions (over 3500 feet): Not recommended for use.

RCI-PF.003.0002.001

Non-Brie Cheese

.

RCI-BR.001.0170.001

Noni Afghani I

These small oval breads are baked in a tandoor, the stove of the region—sometimes buried in the ground as it is in India. The Afghan oven is above ground and is of rounded bricks.

RCI-SC.005.0117.001

No-onion Curry Gravy Sauce

Curry without onion contains additional yogurt, tomatoes, spices. This dish can be served over vegetables,rice,tofu, and paneer.

RCI-DS.003.0229.001

Norman's favorite chocolate fudge

Norman's favorite chocolate fudge from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.002.0141.001

North African Cauliflower Soup

North African Cauliflower Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.004.0128.001

North African Cauliflower Soup with Cumin, Chives and Fennel

North African Cauliflower Soup with Cumin, Chives and Fennel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.003.0068.001

North American Haggis

North American Haggis

RCI-MT.002.0193.001

North Carolina Chopped Barbecued Pork

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.003.0287.001

North Carolina Watermelon Muffins

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-VG.004.0958.001

Northern Bean Soup

A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 8

RCI-SP.003.0456.001

Northestrone Soup

Beans, Great Northern Dry by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6

RCI-DS.001.0374.001

Norwegian Berry Pudding

Many different types of berries are grown during the summer months in Norway.

RCI-MT.001.0175.001

Norwegian Pot Roast

Purchased from Bowers Estate in Fort Worth, Texas in 1994. Dated 1947. This is a very good recipe. I have made it several times and it is a huge hit.

RCI-VG.004.0960.001

Norwegian Red Cabbage

Red Cabbage

RCI-SN.002.0222.001

Num Ta Leng Sap

Num Ta Leng Sap from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0118.001

Nuoc Cham

Nuoc Cham is the name of the Spicy Fish Sauce. This sauce can be served with soups.

RCI-SC.006.0021.001

Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

A dipping sauce for Vietnamese rolls, like the Soft Rolls with Crab

RCI-VG.001.0417.001

Nut and Banana Salad

Salad with nuts and bananas.

RCI-VG.004.0961.001

Nut and Potato Roast

(from my Grandmother's collection) Date on card is 1910.

RCI-BR.001.0173.001

Nut Kolacky

Nut Kolacky from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0130.001

Nut Oat Waffles

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Steep Estate in Elmo, Texas in 1989.

RCI-BR.005.0444.001

Nutritious Peanut Butter Cookies

Nutritious Peanut Butter Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0088.001

Nut-stuffed Semolina Pastries Cyprus-style

Nut-stuffed Semolina Pastries Cyprus-style from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0193.001

Nutty Blueberry Cobbler

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes I by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6-8

RCI-RC.005.0059.001

Oat Bran Cereal

It's now easy to find oat bran in the bulk section of the supermarket, but it's often hard to find the right ratios of bran, water and salt online. This is an original recipe.

RCI-BR.005.0447.001

Oat Bran Raisin Cookies

This recipe makes a smaller batch of cookies than usual, but it can be doubled if desired. Enjoy!!!!

RCI-SN.004.0110.001

Oat Crackers

Oat Crackers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0111.001

Oat Granola

Recipe from Quaker® Oat Bran Cookbook

RCI-BR.008.0134.001

Oatmeal Banana Waffle

Bread

RCI-BR.001.0174.001

Oatmeal Bran Bread

Oatmeal Bran Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0175.001

Oatmeal Cherry Braid

Oatmeal Cherry Braid from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0452.001

Oatmeal Cookies

A tasty oatmeal cookie, just like those you remember. This recipe requires a mixer.

RCI-BR.005.0463.001

Oatmeal-Rhubarb Bars

Oatmeal-Rhubarb Bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0176.001

Oatmeal Soy Bread

Yield: 1½ pound loaf

RCI-RC.005.0060.001

Oatmeal Water

Oatmeal Water from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0120.001

Obe Ata

Eat with any of the dishes that have 'soup' with them.

RCI-BR.001.0177.001

Obi-non

Flat bread

RCI-BR.001.0178.001

Ocvirkovka

Crackling bread

RCI-VG.005.0135.001

O-i Keem Chee

Korean Cucumber Pickle Yield: 4 servings

RCI-SN.004.0112.001

Oil-free granola

Oil-free granola from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0255.001

Oka I'a (Raw Fish in Coconut Cream)

Oka I'a (Raw Fish in Coconut Cream) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0187.001

OKA (Mussels Or Fish)

OKA (Mussels Or Fish) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0139.001

Okra and Ham Pilaf

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Victor Estate in Allen, Texas in 1981.

RCI-RC.004.0198.001

Okra and Rice

Okra and Rice from the Recidemia collection