What cooking term describes the process of cooking food over low heat in fat without browning?

The correct choice is confit. This term specifically refers to a method of cooking that involves immersing food, typically meats, in fat at a low temperature for an extended period. The goal of confit is not to brown the food but to cook it gently, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the fat and become tender while preserving its moisture.

In culinary practice, confit is commonly associated with duck or other meats that are slow-cooked in their own rendered fat. This technique not only enhances the flavor but also serves as a preservation method, which is essential in traditional preparations.

Other cooking methods mentioned such as stewing, poaching, and sautéing differ in their techniques or intended results. Stewing typically involves cooking food slowly in liquid with the goal of developing a robust flavor and tenderness but usually results in a darker appearance due to browning. Poaching is a method of cooking food gently in water or broth at low temperatures, but it does not involve fat in the same way as confit. Sautéing is a quick cooking process over relatively high heat with a small amount of fat, aimed at browning the food and developing flavor, contrasting with the gentle, unbrowned nature of confit.