A puree is a smooth, creamy substance made by grinding or blending food, often fruits, vegetables, or legumes, to break them down into a fine texture. It is commonly used in cooking to create sauces, soups, or baby food. The word puree comes from the French term “purée,” which means “to press through” or “to mash.” Pureeing food often involves the use of a blender, food processor, or strainer to achieve a velvety consistency. For instance, tomato puree is often the base for sauces or soups, while apple puree is used in desserts or as a side dish. In baby food preparation, purees are typically made to introduce solids to infants, as they are easy to digest and gentle on their developing systems. Purees can also be a way to incorporate additional flavors into dishes, as many fruits and vegetables can be transformed into a puree for smoother integration in recipes. While the technique can be applied to a variety of foods, the texture of the puree depends on how finely the food is processed. Whether in savory or sweet dishes, purees add richness and help to thicken liquids or enhance flavor profiles.
Sample Sentences
- The chef prepared a delicious puree of carrots to accompany the roast chicken.
- For dessert, she served a smooth puree of strawberries with whipped cream.
- The recipe calls for a puree of tomatoes as the base for the pasta sauce.
- He made a puree of mashed potatoes to serve with the grilled fish.
- The puree of peas was served as a side dish for the baby.
- Pureeing the ingredients gives the soup a velvety texture that enhances the flavor.
- She used a food processor to turn the roasted pumpkin into a puree for the soup.
- The puree of mango added a tropical touch to the fruit salad.
- The puree of avocado was mixed into the smoothie for added creaminess.
- For the baby’s first meal, the mother prepared a puree of sweet potato and peas.
Synonyms for “Puree”
- Mash
- Blend
- Paste
- Smooth mixture
- Cream
- Gravy (in some contexts, for sauce-like purees)
- Soupy blend
- Smoothie
- Concoction
- Emulsion
Antonyms for “Puree”
- Chunk
- Solid
- Whole
- Coarse
- Rough
- Crumble
- Fragment
- Pieces
- Shreds
- Unprocessed
Related Words and Expressions
Related Words:
- Blend
- Mash
- Crush
- Grind
- Whip
- Smooth
- Creamy
- Whisk
- Liquid
- Thickening
Phrasal Verbs:
- Turn into a puree (to blend something until it becomes smooth)
- Blend into a puree (to mix food into a smooth consistency)
- Make into a puree (to process something into a fine, smooth texture)
- Whip up a puree (to prepare a puree quickly)
- Puree down (to break down food into a fine paste)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Smooth as a puree (extremely smooth or flawless in texture)
- In the puree (something well processed or blended, used figuratively to indicate something well done or refined)
- Puree to perfection (to blend or process something extremely well)
- Blend into a puree (to combine things seamlessly into one smooth entity, can be used metaphorically)
