Cooking is the art of using heat to prepare foods. Cooking creates new flavors by changing the ingredients. You also make nutrients easier to absorb. We can also alter the texture and appearance. You can cook your meals using liquids, fire, or steam.
There are three main types: baking, moist and dry heat. Each type produces different results, and each can be used in a variety of ways. Certain cooking methods are healthier than others. Understanding the differences in cooking styles can help you decide the best way to cook your favorite recipes.
Baking is often the best way to prepare healthy food. Most recipes begin with a batter or dough that is then cooked. Your dish's color and flavor will also be enhanced by baking. This also makes nutrients such as folate, thiamin, and more readily absorbable. The yeast is a common leavener in baked goods. It allows the dough rise. Other ingredients are baking soda and baking flour.
Fry is another form of cooking. For a crispy or browned appearance, oil and fat are used in frying. This technique can be used for vegetables, meats and eggs. Crunch is a hallmark of fried food. However, heat can also cause food to lose its nutritional value.
Moist heat methods use steam, liquids, or water. This type can be used for meats, vegetables and fruits. Depending on what dish you are cooking, the food can be covered or left exposed during the cooking process. For steam to reach food, separate containers are used. Sometimes, the cooking liquid has a flavor.
Dry heat cooking is a combination of roasting, deep-frying, and grilling. This type of cooking is often done with vegetables, meats, or breads. This is also known as indirect heat cooking. It is similar to baking in that it is done on a hot surface. The fat and other oils are usually poured off during the cooking process. The result is a delicious, rich tasting food.
Poaching is another cooking technique that uses hot liquid below its boiling point. This type of cooking requires that food doesn't become mushy. The cooking liquid can be flavor with spices or additional ingredients.
These cooking methods can be used to create a wide variety of dishes. Each method creates a different texture or flavor. Some foods are best suited in one method of cooking while others are more suitable for another. Roasted meats work best, while casseroles work best for baking.
Although cooking was invented by humans in ancient times, it has changed over time. Many anthropologists believe cooking played an important part in the evolution of humans. Primitive humans were able to have access to a wider range of foods. They also began to spend more time experimenting with different types of foods.