The term "parbake" refers to partially baked bread or baked goods that have been cooked to around 80% of their full baking time. The word is spelled /pɑrbeɪk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "p" and "b" sounds at the beginning represent a voiced bilabial stop, with the "ar" sound pronounced as a diphthong /ɑr/. The "e" at the end is pronounced as a long "a" sound /eɪ/, giving it a distinct and recognizable pronunciation. Parbaked goods are often used in commercial settings, allowing for quick final baking and serving.
Parbake is a culinary term that refers to a cooking technique mainly used in baking, specifically for bread or pizza dough. It involves partially baking or pre-baking the dough, usually for a short period of time, before fully cooking it. The term "parbake" itself is a combination of the words "partial" and "bake," indicating the incomplete cooking process.
The purpose of parbaking is to create a partially cooked base that can be finished later. Parbaking allows the dough to be partially set or firm, making it easier to handle or transport. This technique is particularly useful in scenarios where the dough needs to be prepared in advance and then stored or transported to another location for final cooking. Parbaked dough can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen until it is required, reducing the preparation time needed at a later stage.
The parbaking process typically involves baking the dough at a high temperature for a short period, sufficient to give it structure and encourage yeast fermentation. It is crucial to ensure the dough is only partially cooked during this step to avoid overcooking or fully setting it. Parbaked dough should have a lightly browned exterior, but the interior may still be soft and undercooked.
In summary, parbaking is a cooking technique that involves partially baking bread or pizza dough to create a partially cooked base that can be finished later. It is a method commonly used to save time, facilitate dough transportation, and allow for convenient batch preparation in the baking industry.
The word "parbake" is derived from combining the prefix "par-", derived from the Latin word "per-", meaning "thoroughly" or "completely", and the verb "bake". "Bake" originates from the Old English word "bacan", which means "to cook by dry heat". Therefore, "parbake" essentially implies partially baking or precooking something.