Cooking MethodsShajan Xaviour

Heating and Cooking

There are three types of energy central to all cooking:

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

Conduction This is heat transfer by direct contact Example:

Cooking a pancake in a skillet

Convection This is the transfer of heat by the

movement of air or liquid Warm air that rises forces the cool air

to fall then displaced back to the top when it heats up and the process is continuous

Radiation This type of heat transfer method uses

infrared rays to strike and warm objects. Example the boiler heats the surface of

food by radiation

How does heat affect food? Brings out flavor and aroma Can change the color Changes the texture

Conventional Cooking Techniques

1. Moist heat cooking: foods cooked in hot liquid or steam

2. Dry heat cooking: foods cooked uncovered without added liquid or fat

3. Combined method

Moist Heat Cooking Boiling Simmering Steaming Pressure Cooking

Boiling Cooking in a liquid that reached

boiling point, when the liquid is producing large bubbles that rise to the surface and break.

Nutrient loss is very high when using this method

Suitable for pasta and corn.

Moist heat… Boiling

…which means to cook food in water that is bubbling rapidly. Usually foods like pastas or hardy

vegetables.

Bubbling very rapidly.

Simmering When a liquid rises gently and just begins

to break the surface To simmer foods we generally bring water

to a boil and then reduce the heat so that food will simmer

More foods can be simmered than boiled

Moist heat… Simmering

…which means to cook food in water that is bubbling

gently. Usually foods that need to cook for a long time.

Bubbling very gently.

SPECIAL SIMMERING TECHNIQUES

Stewing: A long, slow method of cooking where food is cut into pieces and cooked in the minimum amount of liquid, water, stock or sauce. The food and the cooking liquid are served together

Poaching: involves simmering whole foods such as eggs or fruit

Moist heat…

Poaching…which means to cook food in water that is hot but not bubbling. Usually tender, delicate foods,

like eggs.

Hot, but not bubbling.

Steaming

A method of cooking foods over but not in boiling water

Many foods can be steamed Also it helps them retain their shape, color,

flavor, and nutrients

Pressure Cooking This cooks food in steam under pressure

and cause temps. Rise above boiling and in turn cooks food faster

Best to use on foods that take a long time to cook.

Dry Heat Methods Roasting & Baking Broiling Pan-Broiling

Roasting and Baking

Involve foods being cooked in either a conventional or convection oven

Roasting usually involves cooking large tender cuts of meat

Baking is the term used for cooking breads, cookies, and casseroles

Dry heat…

Roast or bake

To cook by exposing to hot,dry air

…which means to cook by exposing food to hot, dry air in an oven

Broiling Refers to food under direct heat Works well with tender cuts of meat Cooks quickly

Pan-broiling Stove-top method of dry heat cooking. Includes foods such as hamburgers and

tender cuts of steak

Dry heat…

Pan broil

A moderate heat, no fat

Usually foods which have their own fat, like steaks,burgers or bacon

…which means to cook something in a pan

with no added fat.

Frying Involves cooking food in oil or solid fat Different types

* Sautéing

* Pan-frying

* Deep-fat frying

Sautéing This is to brown or cook foods in a skillet

with a small amount of fat. Low to medium heat is used

Pan-Frying

Similar to sautéing but usually involves large pieces of meat

Food may need to be turned several times during cooking process

Dry heat…

Pan fry

Moderate heat & a moderate amount of fat

…which means to cook in a moderate amount of fat over a moderate heat. Usually breaded foods like

cutlets or chicken are pan fried.

Deep-Fat Frying

Food is immersed in hot fat and cooked until done.

Note that fat had a “Smoke Point” this is the temperature that fat begins to break down and smoke. This means the oil is no longer good for cooking.

Dry heat…

Deep fry

350 degrees Fahrenheit

Completely submerged in hot fat

which means to submerge something

completely in cooking oil, like french fries…

Combo Methods Combining dry heat with moist heat cooking

Braising Stir-frying

Braising This combines frying and then simmering to

tenderize food and enhance flavor. Often used for less tender cuts of meat

Stir Frying

Also a combo of frying and moist heat cooking

Small pieces of meat are cooked is a small amount of oil. Liquid is added throughout this process.