In this article will study about different methods of cooking food and different utensils and devices used for cooking. We will also learn ow cooking was done in earlier times. Cooking is means preparing food. It makes the food soft and tasty. Cooked food is easy to digest. Cooking kills germs in the food. But food should not be overcooked or undercooked. Some food items can be eaten raw, that is, they do not require cooking. We must wash raw food items with water before eating. Some food items can be eaten either raw or cooked. Some can be eaten both cooked and raw.
The way cooking has changed over the years. In earlier times, cooking was done on angithi or chulha. Coal, wood or cow dung were used cooking was done on angithi or chulha. Coal, wood or cow dung was used as fuel. People used earthen, copper or iron utensils in the kitchen for cooking food. After some time, stoves were invented. People started cooking food on stoves. Now- a- days, cooking is done using gas –stove, cooking range or microwave oven. It is faster method of cooking. Pressure cookers and other utensils are used for cooking. In ovens, untraceable ceramic –ware is used for cooking.
Types of stoves
We use different types of stoves for cooking food. Each stove uses a different kind of fuel/ source of energy. 1) Chulha fire- wood and coal fuel used. 2) Tandoori fire-wood and coal fuel use. 3) Kerosene stove –kerosene fuel used 4) gas stove –liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 5) Hot plate is source of energy by electricity. 6) Microwave oven- source of energy by electricity. 7) Solar cooker- source of energy by sunlight.
Methods of cooking food-tasty food and health food
With time, the utensils were used and the ways of cooking have changed. Now –a –days, utensils are made of stainless steel. Utensils of earthen pots, iron, and copper and aluminum utensils have been used till now. Today, people use non-stick ware and ceramic ware for cooking food. The utensils are used in kitchen room.1) Pressure cooker 2) pan 3) wok (kadahi) earthenware pot 4) griddle (tawa) 5) rolling –pin 6) sieve.
A) Boiling is means to cook in water. B) Roasting is means to cook food over direct fire. C) Steaming means to cook with the help of steam heat or in an oven. D) Deep frying is means cook in boiling oil. E) Baking is means cook food in an oven.
a) Rice is made by boiling. Meat, fish and eggs can also be boiled. b) Chicken and Paneer tikka are prepared by roasting. Papad and popcorn are often roasted. c) Idli and dhokla are made by steaming. d) Pakoras and samosas are made by frying. e) Bread, cookies and cakes are baked.
Importance of water in cooking
Water is need for cooking most of the things. We need water for-kneading dough for making chapattis, making pulses, making rice, making halwa sweet, washing fruits or vegetables.