Cooking methods

Cooking methods

Catering revision

There are various ways in which to cook food. Different methods are more appropiate than others.
Boiling:

• Boiling means cooking food in a pan which has boiling liquid in it, usually water.
• Foods like vegetables, pasta and rice are often boiled.
• Boiling is good and popular because it is quick and simple.
• It is one of the healthier ways to cook food because there is no added fat.
• Boiling food makes it softer however over boiling food can result in the food being too soft.
• When boiling vegetables they can loose vitamins (C and B).

Simmering: 

• Simmering is similar to boiling however it is more gentle and slower. 
• The liquid uses isn't heated to its boiling point, just slightly lower.
• Unlike boiling, simmering prevents nutrients from being lost.
• Foods like soups and stews are often simmered.

Poaching: 

• Poaching is a very genltle and slow way of cooking food. This is becasue the liquid is below it's boiling point.
• Usually delicate foods are poached such as eggs and fish.
• If foods like this were boiled they would break apart because it is too hot and too quick.

Stewing:

• When stewing food it is cooked very slowly, usually over a number of hours. It is cooked in its own juices or a stock.
• Tough meat is often stewed such as beef. 
• By stewing food…