Condiment Condiment A condiment or table sauce is a spice, sauce, or preparation (such as onions) that is added to food to impart a specific flavor, to enhance the flavor, or, in some cultures, to complement the dish. The term originally described pickled or preserved foods, but its meaning has changed over time. Many condiments, such as mustard or ketchup, are available in single-serving packets, commonly when supplied with take-out or fast-food meals. The diner usually applies them, but they are sometimes added prior to serving, for example, in a sandwich made with ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise. Some condiments are used
Poaching (cooking) periods, as with sous-vide. It is also used to rapidly raise the temperature of foods, as with blanching. Poaching itself is part of a family of moist-heat cooking methods but separates itself in that it is primarily for delicate foods such as eggs. Simmering generally uses a higher temperature for cooking, and because it surrounds the food in water that maintains a more or less constant temperature, simmering cooks food very evenly. Boiling uses the absolute highest temperature for water and is least likely to be used in cooking delicate foods. While it cannot achieve caramelization, which to many is