What is tenting in culinary?

Answer 1

Tenting means to loosely cover something so either steam is captured and driven back down into the food; or in other cases (as in resting food), steam, but not too much heat, escapes. Usually a loosely doomed piece of foil is used-thus the term "tent." There are generally three good reasons to tent: (1) a loose covering of foil will keep cooked food warm while it is resting, such as a roast before carving, or a Thanksgiving turkey while you are making the gravy. Because they are loosely covered steam can escape, but the food remains crisped and warm. (2) For prolonged simmering and braising on the stove-top, a foil tent provides an initial covering over the meat-first the tent, then the cover of the pot-both forcing steam and juices back into the meat, as it simmers to become succulent and tender. (3) Its disposable. Pitch the foil, after you've reaped the rewards of cooking with it.

Answer 2

Tenting in cooking refers to supporting a food covering using a toothpick or other utensil to avoid the covering coming into contact with the food.