Cooking Methods - Compillation of Cooking Methods + Exercise
Cooking Methods - Compillation of Cooking Methods + Exercise
ways of
Cooking!
by Ida Bagus Putu Surya
Cewanayana
2112021141/5E
Overview
Welcome to an extensive guide on a wide array of cooking techniques indispensable in the culinary
world. This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of diverse cooking
methods and their crucial role in the realm of food and beverage services.
What is Cooking?
Cooking is the process of preparing food by applying heat to ingredients, which can transform raw
materials into edible, flavorful, and often more easily digestible forms.
The primary purpose of cooking is to make food safe to eat by eliminating harmful bacteria and
pathogens through heat, enhancing flavors, improving texture, and making certain foods more
digestible. Additionally, cooking can also bring out natural flavors, create new taste profiles, and
improve the appearance of food.
Cooking is both an art and a science that involves creativity, skill, and an understanding of different
ingredients, techniques, and cultural influences. It's a fundamental aspect of culinary traditions
worldwide and plays a significant role in cultural practices, social gatherings, and human
interactions.
There are three types of cooking methods: dry heat cooking, moist heat cooking, and combination
cooking. Each method describes how chefs use heat to cook food and bring out unique flavors and
textures. Understanding these different cooking methods can help you choose the best technique
for your ingredients and create delicious meals.
As the name suggests, moist heat cooking relies on the presence of liquid or steam to cook food.
Use this method to create healthy dishes without added fat or oil. This method is also a great way
to tenderize tough fibers in some cuts of beef, such as chuck or brisket. When cooking fibrous
vegetables and beans, moist heat will soften the food to the perfect tenderness. Unlike dry heat
methods, moist heat cooking will not result in a browned skin.
a. Sous Vide
b. Poaching
c. Simmering
d. Steaming
e. Boiling
Sous Vide
While this cooking method has only recently become popular among home cooks, commercial
kitchens have been using sous vide to cook delicious meals for decades. Sous vide, a French term
meaning "under vacuum", involves placing vacuum-sealed food in a hot water bath to slow cook it
(e.g., 130°F / 54°C for medium-rare steak).. This cooking method requires an immersion circulator,
hot water tank, and vacuum sealing equipment. In addition to reducing food waste and energy
consumption, sous vide also reduces preparation time and the risk of contamination. The end
product is moist and tender food that is perfectly marinated by the natural juices trapped inside
the bag.
Temperature: Controlled and precise; varies based on the food being cooked (e.g., 130°F /
54°C for medium-rare steak).
Food Size: Cut food into uniform pieces for even cooking and to ensure the food can be
vacuum-sealed properly.
Technique: Indirect heat through water circulation; sealed bags prevent direct contact with
water.
Meats: Besides cooking the meat perfectly to the level of doneness desired by the customer,
meat cooked sous vide will not burn or overcook the edges. Even tough cuts of meat will be
juicy and tender.
Poultry: Cook light and dark meat until it falls off the bone without worrying about
undercooking or drying out.
Fish: While sous vide does not allow you to cook whole fish, fish filets can be tender, flaky, or
well-done using sous vide. Even salmon, which is notoriously difficult to cook, maintains its size,
color, and tenderness with sous vide cooking.
Eggs: Make scrambled, poached, or hard-boiled eggs easily without monitoring them while
they cook. You can vary the texture and style by manipulating the water bath's temperature
and cooking time.
Poaching
Poaching is a gentle cooking method that submerges food in hot liquid between 160-180°F (70-
80°C). The low heat works well for delicate items, preserving moisture and flavor without needing
fat or oil.
Eggs: Poaching is a common method of cooking eggs that results in a soft, tender egg white
and creamy yolk. It's more health-conscious than pan frying since you don't need oil.
Poultry: You can use broth, wine, or aromatics for poaching liquid, which adds flavor to
boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The finished product is tender chicken that can be cubed,
sliced, or shredded and added to salads, pasta, or sandwiches.
Fish: Poaching is a great way to preserve the delicate texture of light fish like tilapia, cod, and
sole. A special broth called court bouillon adds flavor to the fish as it cooks.
Fruit: Use a sweetened liquid to poach fruits like pears or apples for a unique dessert. This
method deepens the flavor of the fruit and softens the texture until the fruit is tender. Use any
leftover liquid to make a flavored syrup to serve with the fruit.
Simmering
Simmering is a gentle method of cooking food that utilizes higher temperatures than poaching,
usually between 185-205°F (85-95°C). This temperature range lies below the boiling point and
produces tiny bubbles. To achieve a simmer, bring water to the boiling point and lower the
temperature.
Rice: Simmering produces cooked rice with a light, fluffy texture. Using boiling water causes
the rice to become sticky and dry.
Meats: Choose tough cuts of meat that will release fat and collagen as they simmer, like chuck
roast.
Soups and Stocks: Because simmering releases fat and proteins from meat, it produces a rich
flavorful broth used in soups or stews.
Vegetables: Gentle simmering cooks tough root vegetables like potatoes and carrots to the
perfect texture.
Grains: You can simmer grains like quinoa, oats, or millet until they reach a soft edible texture.
Hot cereal is made by simmering grains until most of the water evaporates, creating a smooth
porridge.
Legumes: Simmer dried beans and legumes for a soft, edible texture. Some beans, like lentils,
cook quickly, while others take several hours of gentle simmering to become fully cooked.
Steaming
To steam food, boil water continuously to produce a steady cloud of steam. The temperature Varies
based on food; generally between 212-212°F (100°C). The steam surrounds the food and cooks it
evenly while retaining its moisture. For high-volume kitchens, the most efficient steaming method is
a commercial steamer or combi oven. You can also use a steamer pot and basket, microwave, or
wrap the food in foil and cook it in the oven.
Vegetables: You can steam most vegetables with excellent results. Steam sturdy veggies like
beets, carrots, and potatoes longer than delicate foods like leafy greens.
Fish and Shellfish: For more flavorful fish, broth or wine can be used instead of water. Fish
stays tender, while shellfish like clams, mussels, lobster, or crabs are cooked inside their shells.
Desserts: Some desserts are steamed rather than baked, producing a moist, silky texture.
Creme brulee, flan, and panna cotta are all custards made using this cooking method.
Tamales: Tamales are a popular food made by steaming masa, a dough made of ground corn,
and fillings inside a corn husk packet. The steam makes the corn dough tender and moist.
Boiling
This cooking technique involves immersing food in water heated to a boiling point of 212 degrees
Fahrenheit. The boiling water produces large bubbles, which keep the food moving as it cooks. The
phrase slow boil means that the water has just begun to bubble slowly but is not yet hot enough to
reach boiling temperature. Full boiling occurs at the boiling point, appearing as fast-moving, rolling
bubbles. Steam is also released from the water as it boils.
Pasta: Pasta is one of the most commonly boiled foods. The hot water cooks the pasta quickly,
allowing chefs to remove it from the water before starches break down to prevent a mushy
texture.
Eggs: Boiling eggs in their shell produces hard- or soft-boiled eggs. The texture of the yolk can
range from firm to creamy, depending on the cook time.
Vegetables: Tough root vegetables like potatoes and carrots will cook more quickly in boiling
water. Test their tenderness with a fork so they don't overcook.
Blanching
During blanching, food is briefly submerged in boiling water or exposed to steam for a short
period. This quick exposure to high heat helps to soften the food, partially cook it, and often to
preserve its color. After blanching, the food is usually immediately transferred to an ice bath to halt
the cooking process.
Dry-Heat Cooking
Dry heat cooking works in the absence of moisture, stock, or water. Instead, it relies on circulating
hot air or contact with fat to transfer heat to the food. Temperatures of 300 degrees or more will
result in browning, a reaction in which the amino acids and sugars in the food turn brown and
create distinct aromas and flavors. The unique aroma of toast or grilled meat are examples of dry-
heat cooking at work.
a. Baking
b. Grilling
c. Roasting
d. Sauteing
e. Frying
f. Broiling
Baking
Baking and roasting use indirect heat to surround foods and cook from all sides. However, roasting
refers to cooking meats or vegetables, and baking indicates making bread, rolls, and cakes.
Additionally, baking usually uses lower temperatures than roasting.
Temperature: Varies depending on the recipe; for instance, bread at around 375°F (190°C).
Food Size: Molded or shaped items; sizes vary according to recipe requirements.
Technique: Indirect dry heat, utilizing the oven's hot air.
Grilling
Grilling is similar to broiling because grills use radiant heat to cook food quickly. Most grilling
equipment features an open grate with a heat source beneath the food. Flip food items to cook
both sides and adjust the grill's temperature to get grill marks from the hot grate or rack.
Roasting
Roasting is performed inside an oven and uses indirect heat that cooks from all sides for even
browning. This cooking method works more slowly, coaxing flavors out of meats and vegetables.
Choose low temperatures of 200 degrees to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to roast tough cuts of meat, or
higher temperatures that reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for more tender cuts.
Sauteing
Originating from a French word that means "to jump," sauteing is performed over a burner in a hot,
shallow pan and uses a small amount of oil or fat to coat food for even browning. This method
cooks food quickly, so keep the food moving by tossing or flipping. Heat the oiled pan before
adding food to achieve great results with sauteing. Additionally, stir or toss items frequently
without overcrowding the pan with too much food.
Frying
Frying is a popular cooking method that involves immersing food in hot oil or fat. The hot oil cooks
the food quickly, creating a crisp exterior while retaining moisture. There are different types of
frying techniques, including pan-frying, shallow frying, deep frying, and stir-frying. Pan-frying cooks
food in a shallow layer of oil, while deep-frying cooks food by completely submerging it in hot oil.
For the best final product, use the right oil, maintain the proper temperature, and avoid
overcrowding the pan.
Temperature: Varies based on the type of frying; deep frying at around 350-375°F (175-190°C).
Food Size: Pieces suitable for submersion in oil, like fries, chicken pieces.
Technique: Direct heat from oil immersion.
Broiling
Broiling cooks food by transferring extremely high heat onto food items, usually directed from a
radiant above the food that cooks on one side at a time. Browning can occur quickly in this process,
sealing juices and flavor inside and leaving a crisp exterior. Because this cooking method is fast, use
a timer and check food frequently so it doesn't become burnt or overcooked. In commercial
kitchens, you can broil items using a salamander or broiler oven.
Combination Cooking
Combination cooking utilizes both dry and moist cooking methods. Foods are cooked in
liquids at low heat for an extended period, resulting in fork-tender meat and vegetables. This
technique works with the toughest cuts of meat, gradually breaking down fibers until they
melt into the liquid. There are 2 combination cooking methods, Braising and Stewing.
Braising
During braising, foods are first seared in a hot oiled pan and transferred to a larger pot to
cook in hot liquid. Then, partially submerge the food in simmering water, broth, or stock. Low
heat softens the food and reduces the liquid over an extended cooking time, intensifying the
flavors. Due to these qualities, braising produces fork-tender meats that fall off the bone.
Temperature: Searing at high heat, then reducing to a simmer at lower temperatures (ranges
may vary).
Food Size: Larger cuts like pot roasts, tougher meats, vegetables.
Technique: Combination of high heat searing followed by lower heat cooking in a covered pot.
To learn more: https://youtu.be/rocRSfC-FVo?si=kL8JSFlCb9bmniNE
https://youtu.be/qt_rPBkdtQc?si=jheh3bgv6ldB-5YY
Stewing
Unlike braising, stewing completely submerges food in hot liquid. Use small cuts of meat in a
stew, which are slow-cooked at low heat. As the stew cooks, fibrous vegetables break down
while the meat's fat and collagen melt away. This leads to a thick, flavorful gravy filled with
tender meat and soft vegetables.
Meats: Meats rich in collagen and fat do well in a stew pot. Avoid lean cuts in favor of
brisket, oxtail, or chuck roast.
Vegetables: Vegetables add depth to your stews. Onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery are
common, but some recipes use parsnips, turnips, or rutabaga.
Exercise!
1. True or False: Blanching involves submerging food briefly in boiling water or exposing it to
steam to cook it completely.
2. True or False: Broiling cooks food by transferring extremely high heat onto food items, usually
from a heat source above the food.
3. True or False: Sous vide cooking requires food to be vacuum-sealed before being cooked in a
hot water bath.
4. True or False: Frying involves cooking food in hot oil or fat and can include different
techniques like pan-frying, deep-frying, and stir-frying.
5. True or False: Grilling uses indirect heat to cook food items slowly in an oven or closed
chamber, making it ideal for slow-roasting meats.
6. True or False: Simmering cooks food at higher temperatures than boiling and is suitable for
cooking tougher cuts of meat.
7. True or False: Poaching is a high-heat cooking method used for cooking delicate items and is
performed at temperatures just below boiling point.
8. True or False: Baking involves cooking foods by immersing them in hot oil or fat, producing a
crispy exterior.
9. True or False: Sauteing is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in an oven and using
indirect heat to surround the food from all sides.
10. True or False: Combination cooking methods involve using both dry-heat and moist-heat
techniques to cook food, such as braising and stewing.
Exercise 2 / Multiple-choice
(Reading activity)
Choose one of the correct answers among options a, b, c, and d below!
1. Which cooking method utilizes high heat to surround food with dry air in an enclosed
environment?
a. A) Simmering
b. B) Grilling
c. C) Poaching
d. D) Steaming
2. Which cooking technique is often used for cooking vegetables, beans, and rice by
allowing them to sit in hot water just below the boiling point?
a. A) Blanching
b. B) Roasting
c. C) Broiling
d. D) Braising
3. Sous vide cooking involves cooking food in:
a. A) Hot oil
b. B) A water bath
c. C) A pressure cooker
d. D) A microwave
4. Which cooking method involves submerging food in hot liquid between 160-180°F (70-
80°C)?
a. A) Steaming
b. B) Simmering
c. C) Poaching
d. D) Broiling
5. What is the primary factor that differentiates baking from roasting?
a. A) Temperature used
b. B) Type of food cooked
c. C) Equipment used
d. D) Length of cooking time
6. What cooking method involves immersing food in hot oil or fat to cook it quickly and
create a crispy exterior?
a. A) Baking
b. B) Steaming
c. C) Frying
d. D) Broiling
7. What is the primary difference between sauteing and frying?
a. A) Sauteing uses high heat, while frying uses low heat.
b. B) Sauteing involves cooking food in an oven, while frying involves stovetop cooking.
c. C) Sauteing uses less oil or fat compared to frying.
d. D) Sauteing and frying are the same cooking method.
8. Which cooking method cooks food by transferring high heat onto food items, usually
from a heat source above the food?
a. A) Baking
b. B) Broiling
c. C) Grilling
d. D) Steaming
9. What is the purpose of blanching in cooking?
a. A) To fully cook food items
b. B) To brown the exterior of vegetables
c. C) To partially cook and preserve the color of food items
d. D) To roast food items in an oven
10. Combination cooking methods involve:
a. A) Using only dry-heat techniques
b. B) Using only moist-heat techniques
c. C) Using both dry-heat and moist-heat techniques
d. D) Using neither dry-heat nor moist-heat techniques
Exercise 3 / Listening
please scan the QR-code above or here: https://youtu.be/Lh91QeRcVFQ?
si=PgNORFJIXqB2BKy5 watch and listen carefully the video.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:
1. Frying is a cooking method involving high heat and the use of oil or fat in a _________ pan.
6. Stewing involves slow cooking in a closed pan with smaller pieces of meat or vegetables
submerged in __________.
8. Boiling is a wet cooking method where ingredients are cooked in water at _________ degrees
Celsius.
9. Poaching is done with relatively low heat, suitable for delicate foods like _________ or _________.
10. Blanching involves submerging the ingredient in boiling water for a short time and then
plunging it into ice water to __________ it quickly.
1. When I (start) ___________ cooking, I (realize) ___________ the importance of precise timing.
2. Last night, I (prepare) ___________ a delicious stew using a slow-cooking method. It (take)
___________ three hours to cook.
3. While the soup (simmer) ___________ on the stove, I (chop) ___________ the vegetables for the salad.
4. By the time the guests (arrive) ___________, I (already finish) ___________ preparing the appetizers.
5. The chef often (teach) ___________ us new techniques, and we (learn) ___________ a lot from him.
Answer Key
Exercise 1
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False
8. False
9. False
10. True
Exercise 2
1. B) Grilling
2. A) Blanching
3. B) A water bath
4. C) Poaching
5. B) Type of food cooked
6. C) Frying
7. C) Sauteing uses less oil or fat compared to frying.
8. B) Broiling
9. C) To partially cook and preserve the color of food items
10. C) Using both dry-heat and moist-heat techniques
Exercise 3
1. Shallow
2. Sautéing
3. Oil or fat
4. Dry, wet
5. Boiling
6. Liquid
7. Steam
8. 100
9. Eggs, fish
10. Cool
Exercise 4
1. Sauté - B
2. Braise - A
3. Boil - E
4. Grill - D
5. Simmer – C
Exercise 5
1. started, realized
2. prepared, took
3. was simmering, was chopping
4. arrived, had already finished
5. teaches, learn
References
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/454/types-of-cooking-methods.html#stew
https://youtu.be/NaMtktnlb4A?si=_qTUIVpTdfc8No6S
https://youtu.be/0sl3eMAXspE?si=OSfCegHkZcHJ5znQ
https://youtu.be/JjriwawzXZk?si=wDqhzsM8GL4c5BHw
https://youtu.be/yij7fPSezS0?si=4_5ymx8-oC2uZI4C
https://youtu.be/zHTRGMuMhT4?si=S4ZVQvmJosJ_EAJT
https://youtu.be/svHjQwJcJaE?si=DU-t6VtYCU4cjFRV
https://youtu.be/Xk1AE1IcWCA?si=z6fred1vjTBnqRx_
https://youtu.be/C2SnnnGyXQg?si=uSv6tU7wd7HCiO0D
https://youtu.be/sv3TXMSv6Lw?si=PvJv8lHFtDqEXFoI
https://youtu.be/CTyV3JExDT8?si=YcaMKhXFFPUHuiiH
https://youtu.be/c3dJnF-WT74?si=DvfNOdoC5AlV_hg4
https://youtu.be/rSHPkVZ0sFA?si=gIuo8G5jlTCVxkuv
https://youtu.be/U1zfRYWqHcw?si=U6KznOakm9j3bjsG
https://youtu.be/rocRSfC-FVo?si=kL8JSFlCb9bmniNE
https://youtu.be/YlmmACQMFtc?si=dARCya4lU4cOyj2V
https://youtu.be/qt_rPBkdtQc?si=jheh3bgv6ldB-5YY
https://youtu.be/Lh91QeRcVFQ?si=PgNORFJIXqB2BKy5