Thursday 1 October 2015

Basic Cooking Techniques

Contrary to what many people think, cooking is often not that difficult. In fact, cooking is often very easy. it’s often only that you need to plan to prepare what you want to cook, and the rest is quite simple from there on. There are two basic methods of cooking; dry heat cooking and moist heat cooking. Most cooking falls into one of the two methods, or at times a combination of both.

Oils and Other Fats
Cooking methods such as deep-frying and sautéing are considered dry heat methods of cooking. Oil and water don’t mix, fats can take the form of liquid, but it is very much different from water, hence the term “dry” heat.

Daniel Hindman

Temperature
Using the right cooking method for the type of food you are cooking is an important part of the culinary arts. If you are cooking cuts of meat, such as lamb shank or beef brisket, you will need to cook the meat slowly at low temperature for a long time. You will also need to use plenty of moisture. If you cook these cuts properly, it can be extremely delicious. On the other hand, if you try to cook beef brisket on a grill with high temperature, it will be tough and chewy. Interestingly enough, a beef tenderloin steak cooked on slow heat with moisture will turn out tough and chewy.

Dry Heat Cooking
The dry heat cooking method is where heat is transferred to the food without using any moisture. It also often requires using temperatures in excess of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Roasting and baking in an oven are also dry heat methods of cooking, as they use the hot air to conduct heat. Pan-searing steak is also a form of dry heat cooking, as it uses the heat from the metal pan to cook the meat. 

Moist Heat Cooking
Meat cooked using moisture, such as water, wine, stock or any other liquid, falls under the moist heat cooking method. The cooking temperature in the moist heat cooking method can fall between 140 degrees and a maximum of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Simmering, boiling, poaching, braising, steaming, and stewing all come under the moist heat cooking method.

Daniel Hindman enjoys cooking family-styled food for his family and neighbors.