Basic Cooking Methods and Food Preparation Techniques

Utilizing basic cooking methods will make you a better cook. Once you find confidence in the kitchen, cooking becomes a joy rather than a task.

Fortunately, there are many different ways of cooking food. Otherwise eating could be somewhat boring. By familiarizing yourself with some basic cooking methods, you can easily enhance your cooking skills regardless of which level of cooking you place yourself in. Hence, your cooking journey will be much easier. Particularly, when the method of cooking you choose to use can make a difference in the outcome of the dish.

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Basic Cooking Methods You Need to Know

Cooking is both an art and a science, and understanding various cooking methods is essential for anyone looking to elevate their culinary skills. From the sizzling sound of a pan-fried steak to the gentle simmer of a stew, each method offers unique flavors, textures, and health benefits.

1. Enhances Flavor and Texture

Different cooking methods can dramatically alter the flavor and texture of ingredients. For instance:

Sautéing: This method allows for quick cooking at high temperatures, which caramelizes the sugars in vegetables and enhances their natural flavors.
Roasting: Roasting vegetables or meats in the oven can create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy, adding depth to the dish.
Steaming: This method preserves the nutrients and natural flavors of food, making it a healthier option while still maintaining a pleasant texture.

By mastering various techniques, you can create a wide range of dishes that excite the palate and provide a satisfying dining experience.

2. Improves Nutritional Value

Understanding cooking methods can significantly impact the nutritional quality of your meals. For example:

Boiling: While boiling is a simple method, it can lead to nutrient loss in vegetables. However, using the water for soups or sauces can help retain some of those nutrients.
Grilling: Grilling allows fat to drip away from the food, resulting in lower-calorie meals. It also imparts a smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Baking: Baking can be a healthier alternative to frying, as it requires less oil and can lead to lower fat content in your meals.

Cooking with Ease

Finally, knowing how to use different cooking methods boosts your confidence as a cook. The more techniques you master, the more comfortable you will feel experimenting with ingredients and flavors. This confidence translates to:

Improved Cooking Skills: As you practice various methods, your overall cooking skills will improve, leading to better results in your meals.

Less Fear of Failure: Understanding that there’s more than one way to cook a dish can alleviate the pressure to get it “right” every time.

Method of Cooking for Boiling

Boiling is a frequently used cooking method often used for cooking foods such as eggs, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn on the cob, or other vegetables. Simply bring a pot of water or other liquid to a rolling boiling. Incidentally, adding sugar or salt to the water will help to raise the boiling point. When ready, submerge whatever food you want to boil into the water. Boil for the specified time.

Simmering Cooking Methods

Similar to boiling, simmering involves boiling liquid at a gentle temperature below the boiling point. You may have heard this referred to as a slow boil. You are at the simmer stage when you see small bubbles breaking through the water’s surface. Simmering is often used to cook soups, stews, or tough cuts of meat for a long period of time.

Steaming Cooking Methods

Steaming is a gentle, healthy method of cooking. Basically, the steaming cooking method uses minimal fat and retains the flavor and nutritional value of the food. Using a steamer basket is the most popular means of steaming. Simply put the steamer basket into a pot of water. Add food to the basket and bring to a simmer. Putting a lid on the pot will help to retain the moisture.

Alternatively, you can use a combination Dutch oven with a steamer insert. This is a convenient piece of cookware to have in your kitchen. For example, you can steam vegetables, fish, or meats and cook rice at the same time. It’s also ideal for re-steaming leftovers.

Searing Cooking Methods

Searing is a basic cooking technique where you quickly brown the meat over high heat before cooking. This process forms a crust over the surface of the meat. Not only is the meat more appealing but it maximizes the flavor as well.

Searing is not only used for grilling meat. Braising, roasting, and sautéing are other cooking methods that benefit greatly from a good sear.

Sauté vs. Fry - Difference in Cooking Methods

Sautéing is performed by adding foods to a hot pan or skillet coated with a small amount of oil. It is a method for cooking foods quickly in a sauté pan while tossing it around in the pan to prevent burning. This method is often used for cooking chicken, tender meats, and vegetables.

In comparison, pan frying is a cooking method that involves using more oil heated to temperatures between 325° and 400° depending on what you are cooking. Food is immersed into the oil crisping the outside of the food while the inside cooks through.

What Does it Mean to Poach Food?

Poaching is where you gently simmer food in a liquid at low heat. Poaching is typically used for delicate foods helping it to retain its shape and flavor. For example, a poached egg is uniform in size which gives it an appealing appearance. Other foods that can be poached are fish, poultry, vegetables, and fruit.

Cooking Methods for Roasting

Roasting is a cooking method performed inside the oven to cook meats and vegetables. The food is typically put into a roasting pan to ensure balanced heat for cooking foods evenly. Roasting times vary depending on the cut of meat.

While pretty much any pan can be used for roasting, a specially designed roasting pan does offer some distinct advantages over other types of pans. This is specifically apparent in it design and functionality which is tailored for roasting meats and vegetables.

Unlike standard frying or baking pans, a roasting pan typically features higher sides and a larger surface area. Ideally, this allows for better heat circulation and even cooking. This design not only accommodates larger cuts of meat, such as turkeys or roasts, but also enables the collection of flavorful drippings that can be used to create rich gravies or sauces.

Additionally, most roasting pans come equipped with a rack that elevates the food. This works to promote air circulation around the item being cooked. The result is a crispier exterior while retaining moisture within.

The versatility of a roasting pan extends beyond just roasting. For example, it can also be utilized for baking, broiling, and even serving, making it an essential tool in any kitchen.

What Does Braising Mean?

Braising simply means to brown or sear foods, meat in particular, in a hot oiled pan. At this point, the food is not actually cooked but the braising process acts as a sealer retaining juices for better flavor and tenderness. The meat can then be cooked by other means such as simmering on the stove or putting in a slow cooker or oven.

How to Broil Cooking Methods

Broiling is done in the oven using the broiling setting as opposed to baking. Most ovens have a high and low setting. Foods are broiled close to the heating element where it can take advantage of the high heat. Typically, a broiling pan is used for this process, however, any heat-resistant pan will work.

Broiling needs to be closely monitored since it is a fast-cooking method. This will prevent the food form burning or becoming overcooked. Thin cuts of meat, fish, and even grilled sandwiches are foods that are typically broiled.

What is the Process of Brining?

Brining is primarily a solution of water and salt used to tenderize tough pieces of meat. Other liquids can be used as well as the addition of sugar and spices.

The food is soaked in the brine for several hours or overnight. The brining process results in tender, flavorful cooking. Brining also acts as a preservative and is often used for vegetables, such as asparagus and green beans.

How to Choose the Right Cooking Methods

Now, that you are familiar with the basic cooking methods, just what exactly determines the choice of the cooking technique to be used?

For starters, there are a few things you should take into consideration when deciding how to cook something. For example, do you have health concerns? If so, you might opt for steaming or sautéing opposed to frying in oil.

Perhaps you are rushed for time and would prefer the quickest method of cooking. Then, of course, your taste preference can be a big influence on which cooking method you want to use.

Another thing to consider, particularly if you are following a recipe, is whether you have the necessary kitchen equipment to satisfactorily make a certain dish. More on that below.

These are some of the factors when choosing a particular cooking method that could be a deal breaker as to whether that is the best choice. Being familiar with the different ways of cooking food will give you confidence in your everyday cooking.

Best Appliances to Use for Basic Cooking Methods

Without a doubt, you can cook a substantial meal if you have an oven in your kitchen and some pots and pans. But let’s kick it up a notch and look at options for kitchen appliances and equipment that could make your cooking experience easier and faster.

Popular Kitchen Appliances

There are countless kitchen aids and tools that can be used for any type of cooking method. However, I particularly don’t think anyone would want their kitchen stocked with every conceivable cooking apparatus in the chance that they just might want to use it someday.

As an example, a rice cooker is a useful tool for someone who cooks a lot of rice. But, if rice is something you only eat once in a while, it doesn’t warrant the storage space.

But there are some kitchen items that are necessary and very useful for helping people cook with ease.

Cooking Methods Using the Microwave

Most people have a microwave in their kitchen, and I’ve yet to encounter anyone who could honestly say they don’t use it to some extent. Microwave ovens were a great invention to say the least.

That’s not to say that you would want to cook your entire meal in the microwave, although it is possible, and I’m sure there are some people who do. But I would rather mix it up.

Uses of Microwave for Basic Cooking Techniques

Microwaves are ideal for heating up foods, but it has some other great uses as well. The fact is if you are not using your microwave to its full potential if you are only using it to pop popcorn, defrost hamburger, or reheat leftovers. There are numerous recipes that cater to impressive meals you can make right in your microwave with the proper microwave dishes.

Importantly, you will want to use some sort of splatter guard lid to prevent food from exploding all over the microwave.

Basic Cooking Methods Using a Slowcooker

A slow cooker or what is also commonly known as a crockpot has been around for a long time and is still widely used today.

In fact, Paula Johnson, curator for the Division of Work & Industry at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., had this to say regarding the longevity of the crockpot:

“The idea of being able to produce something quickly and without a lot of mess, either prep or clean up, is a time-honored tradition.”

That is indeed true. In fact, you can cook just about anything in the slow cooker. Most common are main dishes of meat, vegetables and potatoes. While it cooks all day, your kitchen smells heavenly and come dinner time, you’re pretty much set.

Likewise, the slow cooker comes in handy for keeping side dishes warm when you need to free up space in your oven or on your stove top.

These practical ovens are also great for appetizers when you have guests over. This 1.5 quart slow cooker from Amazon has a keep warm setting as well as low and high. No worries about having to heat or reheat.

Advantages of an Instant Pot

An instant pot is similar to a pressure cooker. By the way, if you happen to remember horror stories about exploding pressure cookers back in the day, they don’t make them like that anymore. The ancient models didn’t come equipped with the safety features like they have on today’s models. Likewise, the Instant Pot goes through vigorous testing before hitting the market to assure it is safe to use.

With that said, the advantages of an instant pot make it a popular kitchen accessory. For one, it is fast. That in itself was enough to attract buyers. You could have dinner on the table in far less time than using the stove or oven. But to be fair, it does take 10 to 20 minutes to heat up before the clock starts running.

A big advantage of the instant pot is it is easy to use and very versatile. For example, in addition to pressure cooking, it can cook, steam, sauté and boil. This Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker actually has the function capability of seven different appliances: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and a food warmer. All this in just one single pot.

Should You Buy an Instant Pot?

While some trending products lose their appeal over time, I think it’s safe to say the Instant Pot is here to stay. It’s user friendly and easy to clean. People like it! And due to its popularity, you won’t have any problem finding recipes on the internet for preparing meals in your Instant Pot.

Cooking with Cast Iron Cookware

You may likely have some cast iron cookware in your kitchen passed down from your mother or grandmother. Long recognized for its longevity and durability, cast iron continues to embrace just about every cooking technique there is.

Basic Cooking Methods Using an Electric Skillet

There’s nothing fancy about my electric skillet but I love it. Honestly, I wouldn’t be without one. Here are some of the things I like about it:

It frees up cooking space on your stove.
Temperature is easily controlled.
I like its flexibility— move it to the dining table or plug right into your kitchen island outlet.
It has a non-stick surface for easier cooking and cleaning.
The deep dome lid has a steam vent to prevent splatter and simplify cooking.

In my opinion, electric skillets are a versatile and convenient addition to any kitchen.

Why are Learning Cooking Methods Important?

Mastering different cooking methods is essential for anyone looking to improve their culinary skills. It enhances flavor and texture, improves nutritional value, increases versatility, encourages creativity, and boosts confidence in the kitchen.

Whether you’re a novice cook or an experienced chef, embracing a variety of cooking techniques will not only make your meals more enjoyable but also turn cooking into a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Visit Pinterest for even more ideas on See How to Get Better at Cooking.