Chapter 7 Flashcards
Reasons for cooking food
- food is safer to eat
- flavours are developed
- cooking makes food look more attractive
- cooked food is easier to digest
- cooking preserves food so it lasts longer
Effects of cooking on food
- fat melts
- colour changes
- flavours develop
- protein becomes solid (coagulated)
- food softens and absorbs water
- food loses water and shrinks
- nutrients are lost in the cooking liquid
Effects of overcooking food
- food becomes indigestible
- vitamins and minerals are lost
- colours, flavour and texture changes
Methods of heat transfer in cooking
- conduction
- convection
- radiation
What are the four types of cooking methods?
- Most methods
- Dry methods
- Using fat
- Microwave cooking
What are the moist methods of cooking?
- boiling
- poaching
- stewing
- steaming
- pressure cooking
What does boiling mean?
Cooking food in rapidly bubbling water in a saucepan
What are suitable foods for boiling?
- rice
- pasta
- meat
- vegetables
Guidelines for boiling
- use a suitable sized pan so that very little water will cover the food
- use a tightly fitting lid
- once the liquid starts to bubble rapidly, reduce the temp so that the liquid is barely bubbling (this is called simmering)
Advantages of boiling
- low-fat method of cooking
- tougher cuts of meat can be boiled
- economical
Disadvantages of cooking
Vitamins and minerals are lost
What does poaching mean?
Cooking food in water that is barely bubbling
Suitable foods for poaching
- fish
- eggs
- fruit
Guidelines for poaching
- The cooking liquid should be barely bubbling before the food is put into it
- Use cooking liquid as a sauce if possible
Advantages of poaching
- low-fat method of cooking
- suitable for foods that need gentle handling
Disadvantages of poaching
Food may break up
What does stewing mean?
Cooking food slowly in a little liquid in a covered container. A heavy saucepan on the job is used for stewing and a dish is used for casseroling. The cooking liquid is eaten with the dish
Suitable foods for stewing
- meat
- fish
- vegetables
Guidelines for stewing/casseroling
- use a heavy-based saucepan
- cover the the container tightly to prevent evaporation
- meat and vegetables can be fried first to improve texture and flavour
Advantages of stewing
- tough pieces of meat can be cooked
- low-fat method of cooking
- a whole meal can be cooked in one pot
- nutrients which dissolve in the cooking liquid are served with the dish
Disadvantages of stewing
Slow method of cooking
What is steaming?
Cooking food in steam rising from boiling water
Suitable foods for steaming
- fish
- veg
Guidelines for steaming
-use herbs and seasoning to flavour food, steamed food can lack flavour
Advantages of steaming
- veg are not immersed in water so there is less loss of water-soluble Vitamins and minerals
- healthy b/c no fat is added during cooking
- easy to control and there is little chance of overcooking
- various foods can be cooked at the same time
Disadvantages of steaming
Flavour may be bland
What is pressure cooking?
Cooking food under pressure in heavy saucepan with special lid