Cooking a particular cuisine can be as diverse as the ingredients and styles of cooking that go into its making. The cuisine is typically a detailed style of cooking, usually characterized by specific ingredients, cooking methods and techniques, and most often related to a specific region or cultural area. Regional cuisine, local traditions and cooking techniques often blend to form unique dishes specific to a region. Some examples of regional cuisines are French, Italian, German and certain Asian cuisines.
There are many types of tools and equipment used in preparing food for a particular cuisine. While specific cookware and heat sources may differ depending on the type of food being prepared, all such tools can be grouped into four basic groups, each divided into sub-groups based on their specific function.
These categories are: Heat sources, Work surface, Skillet and Frypan. Each of these groups has different heating requirements and cooking techniques specific to each type of tool.
Heat Sources: All the equipments used for cooking must possess one thing in common – they need heat. From tongs to ovens, all of these tools need to have something to hold them over a fire so that they can burn. The most popular cooking method used for cooking most types of food is the flame-based cooking method, which involves using a burner or stove to provide the heat necessary. In this method, food is usually cooked in an iron pan or on a cast iron pan. The exception to this is the Chinese stir-fry, which uses a thin paper-tray full of spices to bring out the flavor of the ingredients. In either case, the burner is not used, but rather a fan or hot air gun is used to distribute and evenly heat the pans.
Work Surfaces: All the chefs who prepare food need to be able to manipulate and control the heat at their disposal. To this end, the surface on which they are cooking should have plenty of control. If there are no control surfaces, the heat will seep through and around the cookware, causing uneven cooking. Professional cooks use specialized electric grills to cook all their meals, but a standard grill should suffice for a number of regular meals, especially if you are just preparing food for a regular family.
Fats, Sugars and Other Ingredients: All foods, including fish, must have enough fat, oil, sugars and salt to provide the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs. When properly cooked, these ingredients also contribute to the flavor and texture of the cooked food. Most fats, whether they come from beef, pork, poultry or vegetables, are melted and combined with water to make lard, rendered fat or butter. Salt is usually added to increase the taste and nutritive value of certain types of fats and sugars, while sugar is often added to enhance the color of most foods and give it more flavor.
These 4 main ingredients form the basis of what makes up cooking.
These 4 elements are necessary for the human body and all of the different organs within it. Without these basic nutrients, the human body cannot function and cannot survive. Fats, proteins and vegetables provide the body with the energy it needs to move around and live, while salt, sugar and minerals provide the body with the minerals it needs to maintain its basic function. Without one or more of these nutrients, the body cannot metabolize food, store energy and perform other important functions. In this way, a good diet is more than just about what you put into your mouth!
