In the context of cooking, what does "purée" specifically refer to?

"Purée" specifically refers to a cooking technique where food is finely mashed or blended until it achieves a smooth and uniform texture. This is commonly done with fruits and vegetables, where the aim is to break down the food into a liquid or semi-liquid form, allowing for easy incorporation into various dishes or serving them as sauces or soups. The process of puréeing can be done using blenders, food processors, or even through manual methods like mashing, but the key characteristic is the smoothness of the final product. This technique is especially popular in culinary practices that require a delicate texture, making it suitable for pureed soups, baby food, and sauces.