What is scraping in cooking?

"Scraping" in cooking has a few different meanings, depending on the context:

1. Scraping a pan or bowl: This refers to using a spatula or other tool to remove food particles, batter, or sauce from the sides and bottom of a pan or bowl. This is done to ensure that you get all of the ingredients and that nothing sticks or burns.

2. Scraping the bottom of a pot: This is often done when making sauces or soups, especially when you want to incorporate the flavorful bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot (known as "fond"). You use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot and stir those bits into the sauce.

3. Scraping a vegetable: This refers to removing the skin or outer layer of a vegetable, such as a carrot or potato, using a knife or a vegetable peeler. This is often done to prepare the vegetable for cooking or to remove any tough or inedible parts.

4. Scraping a cheese: This refers to using a cheese grater or other tool to break down a block of cheese into smaller pieces or shavings. This is done to make the cheese easier to melt or incorporate into dishes.

5. Scraping a baking sheet: This refers to using a spatula to remove any excess batter or dough from a baking sheet before baking. This is done to prevent the batter from spreading too thin and to create a more even bake.

The specific meaning of "scraping" in cooking will depend on the context. If you are unsure, you can usually infer the meaning from the surrounding text or the recipe instructions.