Principle of Culinary Arts (22%) Flashcards
What is the shape/function of a Chef’s or French Knife
all-purpose used for chopping, slicing and mincing. Rigid 8-14” blade is wide at the heel and tapers to a point
What is the shape/function of a Flexible Slicer Knife
a long thin blade used primarily for slicing cooked meat. The tip may be round or pointed and the blade may be flexible or rigid.
What is the shape/function of a Serrated Slicer Knife
The serrated blade is good for slicing bread or pastry items
What is the shape/function of a Utility Knife
all-purpose knife used for cutting fruits and vegetables and carving poultry. Rigid 6-8” blade length and shaped like a Chef’s Knife
What is the shape/function of a Boning Knife
smaller with a thin blade used the separate meat from bone. The blade is 5-7” in length and can be flexible or rigid
What is the shape/function of a Paring Knife
short and used for detail work or cutting fruit or vegetables. Rigid 2-4” blade
What is the shape/function of a Cleaver
a large, heavy rectangular blade used for chopping or cutting through bones
What is the shape/function of a Butchers Knife
the rigid blade curves up in a 25 degree angle at the tip. Used for fabricating raw meat and is usually 6-14” in length
What is the shape/function of an Oyster/Clam knife
the rigid blade curves up in a 25 degree angle at the tip. Used for fabricating raw meat and is usually 6-14” in length
Describe the function of gluten in flour
the tough, rubbery substance created when wheat flour is mixed with water. The strand are both plastic (change shape under pressure) and elastic (resume original shape when pressure is removed) and is responsible for the volume, texture, and appearance of baked goods, the structure allows the dough to expand in volume and rise or leaven. The higher the protein content the more gluten forming potential
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for Pastry flour
Soft Wheat
7-9.5%
Biscuits, Pie Crusts
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for AP Flour
Blend of hard and soft wheat
9.5-12%
General Baking
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for Bread Flour
Hard Wheat
12.5-14%
Yeast Bread
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for Whole-wheat flour
Hard Wheat
13-14%
Breads
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for High-gluten flour
Hard Wheat
13.5-14%
Bagels, increase protein content of weaker flours such as rye, whole-grain or specialty flour
What is the type of wheat, protein percentage and uses for Cake Flour
Soft Wheat
6-8%
Tender Cakes
Explain how the process of aging or bleaching flour affects baked goods
a. Freshly milled flour produced sticky doughs and products with less volume
b. bleaching as a natural oxidation process that happens during aging
c. aging and bleaching naturally can be somewhat unpredictable so chemicals can be used to guide and quicken the process
What is the difference between liquid and dry sweeteners
Liquid sweeteners have the same benefits as dry sweeteners except without the leavening but have distinct flavors
Name 7 types of dry sweeteners
Turbinado/Demerara Sugar, Sanding Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Sugar Cubes, Brown Sugar, Superfine/Castor Sugar, Powdered Sugar
Name 4 type of liquid sweeteners
Corn Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Molasses
Name the use and function of Turbinado/Demerara Sugar
The closest consumable product to raw sugar that is particularly refined, light brown in color with coarse crystals and a caramel flavor but has a variable high moisture content. Sometimes used in beverages and baked goods.
Name the use and function of Sanding Sugar
a large, course crystal structure that prevents it from dissolving easily making it almost exclusively used in decorating cookies and pastries
Name the use and function of Granulated Sugar
The all-purpose sugar used throughout the kitchen
Name the use and function of Sugar Cubes
created through pressed granulated sugar and mostly used for drinks
Name the use and function of Brown Sugar
A simple regularly refined cane sugar with some of the molasses returned. Is a 1 to 1 substitute for granulated sugar
Name the use and function of Superfine/ Castor Sugar
Smaller sized crystal than granulated yielding a products that dissolved quickly in liquids and produces light and tender cakes
Name the use and function of Powdered Sugar
created through grinding sugar through different screens. Most often used in icings, glazes and for decorating baked products
Name the use and function of Corn Syrup
The syrup is extremely thick or viscous and less sweet tasting than honey or refined sugar. The viscosity gives food thick, chewy texture and stabilizes product made with sugar from recrystallizing. Corn syrup is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water from the air and loses water through evaporation
Name the use and function of Honey
is the strongest sweetener were its flavor and color is dependent on the season, flower type and age. Its distinct flavor can be found in ethnic desserts (baklava and halvah) and beverages (Drambuie and Benedictine)
Name the use and function of Maple Syrup
ure maple syrup adds a distinct flavor to baked goods, frostings and pancakes/waffles.
Name the use and function of Molasses
adds moisture and a distinct flavor
What are the two types of Molasses
Unsulfered Molasses- not true molasses but is preferred due to being lighter in color and milder in flavor
Sulfur Molasses- a true by-product of sugar making but can have a strong bitter flavor and dark color
What are the 5 different fats used in baking
Butter, Margarine, Lard, Shortening, Oil
Describe Butter and its function in baking
prized for its flavor and melts at relatively low temperatures but burns easily. Unsalted is preferred because it tends to be fresher and the salt might interfere with some formulas
Describe Margarine and its function in baking
melts at a slightly higher temperature than butter, useful for some rolled-in doughs (puff pastry and danish) but can leave a grease taste on the mouth
Describe Lard and its function in baking
a rendered pork fat that yields flaky, flavorful pastries (pie crusts) but not common commercially since it turns rancid quickly
Describe Shortening and its function in baking
Created with animal fats and vegetable oils that go through hydrogenation. Can replace butter in a formulation but must add liquid to compensate for shortenings moisture content
Describe Oil and its function in baking
unlike butter and other fats, oils can blend thoroughly within a mixture. Coats more proteins and the gluten strands are shorter which is desirable for fine-textured products like muffins. Never substitute shortening for oil
Differentiate between powdered and sheet gelatin and how each is used
a. Powdered and sheets can be interchanged in any formula. Sheet is more expensive but is preferred for it’s lack of color and taste as well as its ability to dissolve quicker and easier and finally has a longer shelf life.
b. Powdered gelatin but be bloomed in cold water prior to being mixed in the hot liquid, which does not need to be done with sheets.
How does chemical leavening work?
Primarily carbon dioxide is created when acids and bases reaction within the recipe. Air bubbles/pockets are formed and expand though the baking process where the protein then sets around the air pockets, giving rise and texture to quick breads
What is the composition of Baking Soda
Sodium Bicarbonate, an alkaline compound (base) which releases carbon dioxide when both acid or moisture is present. Reaction occurs without heat and these products must be baked at once before there is a chance for the air to escape.
What is the composition of Baking Powder
a mixture of Sodium Bicarbonate and an acid (cream of tartar and/or sodium aluminum sulfate). Also contains a starch to prevent lumping and balance the chemical reactions.
What is the difference between single-acting and double-acting baking powder
a) Single-acting- like baking soda the recipe needs to be bake at once to reduce the time for the air to escape.
b) Double-acting- contains 2 chemical reactions, a small one when moisture is added but a larger one when heat is applied. This gives more flexibility and allows the batter to sit a little before going into the oven.
What is the composition of baking ammonia
ammonia bicarbonate or ammonia carbonate: released ammonia and carbon dioxide very rapidly when heated and the strong odor dissipates once the product is over 140F.
What is the uses of baking soda
should only use enough to neutralize the acids (buttermilk, sour cream, lemon juice, honey, etc.), too much can give off a soapy taste and may cause a yellow color or brown spots
What is the uses of baking powder
does not need an acid to work so can be used in more quick bread recipes that don’t contain acids, only moisture
What is the uses of baking ammonia for baking
used mostly in cookies and cracker as it gives leavening and crispness. Very suitable for low moisture products with a large surface area and baked at high temperatures but rarely used in quick breads
The role of using baking soda and baking powder together
Baking powder will only give off air bubbles as there is an acid. If more leavening is needed then baking powder is needed since it will react with the moisture and heat.
What are the 9 mixing methods
Beating, Blending, Creaming, Cutting, Folding, Kneading, Sifting, Stirring, Whipping
What is the purpose of beating and applications its used in
Vigorously agitating foods to incorporate are or develop gluten
What is the purpose of blending and applications its used in
Mixing two or more ingredients until evenly distributed
What is the purpose of creaming and applications its used in
Vigorously combining fat and sugar while incorporating air
Application: Muffins
What is the purpose of cutting and applications its used in
Incorporating solid fat into dry ingredients only until lumps of the desired size remain
Application: Biscuits
What is the purpose of folding and applications its used in
Very gently incorporating ingredients such as whipped cream or whipped eggs with dry ingredients, a batter or cream
Application: Soufle
What is the purpose of kneading and applications its used in
Working a dough to develop gluten
Application: Bread or pasta
What is the purpose of sifting and applications its used in
Passing one or more dry ingredients through a wire mesh to remove lumps and combine and aerate
Application: Flour or dry ingredients
What is the purpose of stirring and applications its used in
Gently mixing ingredients by hand until evenly distributed and blended
Application: Batters
What is the purpose of whipping and applications its used in
Beating vigorously to incorporate air
Application: Whipped Cream
What is the Baker’s Percentage?
When flour is the main ingredient, the other ingredients are expressed as a percentage of the flour total.
What are the 4 types of yeast
Compressed Yeast, Active Dry Yeast, Instant Dry Yeast, Natural Yeast Leaveners
What is compressed yeast
Mixture of yeast and starch with a moisture content around 70%. It must be kept at refrigerated temperatures and should be creamy white and crumbly with a fresh, yeasty smell. Soft in twice its weight of warm water.
What is Active Dry Yeast?
Virtually all the moisture has been removed through hot air, rendering the organisms dormant, allowing it to be stored at room temperature. Rehydrate in luke warm water
What is Instant Dry Yeast?
The easiest to use and can be added directly to the dry ingredients without rehydrating. For doughs with a short mixing step or when firm structure is desired (ie. bagels), the yeast might not fully dissolve so its best to moisten the yeast in 5 times its weight of water.
What are Natural Yeast Leaveners?
Sourdough Starters
What are the steps in producing yeast doughs?
1-Scale the ingredients
2-Mixing and kneading
3-Fermenting the dough
4- Punching down the dough
5- portioning the dough
6- Rounding the dough
7- make-up/ shaping the portions
8-Final Proof
9-Baking the products
10-Cooling and storing the finished products
What is the role of Salt in yeast dough?
it conditions the gluten making it stronger and more elastic, but it also effects yeasts ability to ferment.
What happens to bread if there is too much or too little salt?
-Too little salt, the bread will be bland and rise too rapidly
-Too much salt, the yeast will be destroyed and not rise will happen
What is key in setting the network of proteins that gives bread its shape?
Gluten Develpoment through kneading
What is the function of fermentation?
the yeast converts the sugars to carbon dioxide and will continue to product gas until its runs out of sugar or reached 138F to kill the cells. The yeast also converts the sugars/starches into flavorful enzymes and bacteria
What is the significance of temperature and humidity control during the final proof for bread?
Humidity is usually used to prevent drying out and forming a crust.
temperature important to keep the yeast alive
What desserts use a flaky dough?
prebaked pie shells and pie top crusts
What are the preparation procedures for flaky doughs?
1) Cold fat (butter/lard/shortening) is cut into the flour
2) Fat particles are left large in the dough
3) Cold water or milk is added
4) Cover and chill thoroughly
What desserts use a mealy dough
custards, cream or fruit pie crusts, quiche crusts
What are the preparation procedures for mealy doughs?
1) Cold fat (butter/lard/shortening) is cut into the flour
2) Fat particles are cut until they are small, like coarse cornmeal
3) Cold water or milk is added
4) Cover and chill thoroughly
What desserts use a sweet dough?
tart and tarlet shells
What are the preparation procedures for sweet doughs?
1) Cream butter with sugar
2) Add eggs
3) Add flour, until incorporated
4) Cover and chill
What are the preparation procedures for a laminated dough?
1) Make dough
2) Form butter (fat) into a rectangle
3) Dough out dough to match and place butter on top of dough
4) Fold dough around butter, chill and continue to fold and roll out 3 times
5) Rest in refrigerator overnight before shaping and baking
What are the preparation procedures for a lean and rich dough?
1) Weigh ingredients
2) Mix flour, water and yeast
3) Knead and proof
4) Punch down, shape, proof #2 and bake
What desserts use a puff pastry dough?
Tart and pastry cases, cookies, layered pastries, savory products
What are the preparation procedures for a puff pastry dough?
1) Make dough and sit overnight
2) Form butter (fat) into a rectangle
3) Dough out dough to match and place butter on top of dough
4) Fold dough around butter, chill and continue to fold and roll out 3 times
5) Rest in refrigerator overnight before shaping and baking
What desserts use a eclair paste (pate a choux) dough?
cream puffs, eclairs and savory products
What are the preparation procedures for a clair paste (pate a choux) dough?
1) Bring to boil liquid ingredients and butter
2) Add flour and stir vigorously until the liquid is absorbed
3) Transfer to a mixer and let cool
4) Add eggs and incorporate
5) Transfer to a pastry bag and pipe desired shape
6) Bake
Define and outline the similarities between basic cooking techniques
Dry heat- foods have a richer flavor caused by browning because moisture on the surface of the food evaporates.
Moist heat- used to tenderize and emphasize the natural flavor of food
Combination- benefits from both moist and dry heat
What are the types of dry heat cooking?
Broiling, grilling, roasting/baking, sauteing, pan-frying and deep-frying
What are the types of moist heat cooking?
Poaching, simmering, boiling, steaming
What are the types of combination cooking methods?
braising, stewing, sous vide
Describe how broiling works
Radian heat from an overheard source
Describe how grilling works?
radian heat from an underneath source, can be gas, electric, wood or charcoal which will impart different flavors