Methods of Cooking

Question 1

why must we cook food?

Answer 1

• to make food safe for consumption
• make food easier to chew, swallow and digest
• makes food last longer
• improves flavour and appearance of food
• adds variety to a meal

Question 2

explain how cooking food makes it safe for consumption

Answer 2

• raw food contains harmful microorganisms that may cause food poisoning when eaten
• cooking food can kill bacteria in raw meat (temperature above 71 degree celsius)
• e.g can destroy toxins in raw and uncooked beans

Question 3

explain how cooking food makes it easier to chew, swallow and digest

Answer 3

• e.g hard and indigestible rice grains become soft and fluffy
• e.g reduces the bulk of green leafy vegetables
• e.g softens dietary fibre in vegetables

Question 4

explain how cooking food makes it last longer

Answer 4

• enzymes and harmful microorganisms are destroyed during cooking which makes food last longer by delaying food spoilage
• e.g pasteurised and sterilised milk can last longer than raw milk

Question 5

explain how cooking food improves its flavour and appearance

Answer 5

some food looks more appealing and tasty after cooking

• meat tastes better after cooking as its flavour develops
• dull and unappetising raw flour becomes more attractive looking when combined with other ingredients that produces a golden brown colour (maillard browning) and a soft and fluffy texture in cakes

Question 6

explain how cooking food helps to add variety to a meal

Answer 6

• most food can be cooked and presented in many different ways
• a combination of different cooking methods, ingredients (herbs and spices) will make the same food look more appetising

Question 7

what are the three methods of heat transference?

Answer 7

• conduction
• convection
• radiation

Question 8

explain conduction

Answer 8

the transfer of heat via vibration of particles within the medium (requires direct contact)

Question 9

what are some examples of cooking methods using conduction?

Answer 9

• dry frying

- stir frying

Question 10

what is the medium used in conduction?

Answer 10

solid - metal (good conductors)

liquid/gas - poor conductors

Question 11

explain convection

Answer 11

the transfer of heat via the movement of liquid or gas

Question 12

what are some examples of cooking methods using convection?

Answer 12

• boiling

- baking

Question 13

what is the medium used in convection?

Answer 13

air/water/oil

Question 14

explain radiation

Answer 14

the transfer of heat in the form of infrared radiation

Question 15

what are some examples of cooking methods using radiation?

Answer 15

• grilling

- microwave cooking

Question 16

what is the medium used in radiation?

Answer 16

does not require medium to transfer heat