To allow something to soak in almost boiling liquid

• A. Soak
• B. Marinate
• C. Steep
• D. Braise

Answer: (C)

Steeping is the process of soaking an ingredient in hot, nearly boiling liquid to extract flavors or soften it. That fits “to allow something to soak in almost boiling liquid” because the heat helps pull out compounds from the ingredient into the liquid, like tea leaves releasing flavor in hot water. Soak is more general and can mean any soaking in liquid at any temperature, which doesn’t emphasize the hot extraction. Marinating involves soaking in a seasoned mixture to flavor (and sometimes tenderize) the food, typically at cooler temperatures and for longer times, not just hot liquid. Braising is a cooking method where food is browned and then simmered in liquid to cook through and tenderize, not simply soaked in hot liquid.