Apply Basic Techniques of Commercial Cookery: Trainee Manual
Apply Basic Techniques of Commercial Cookery: Trainee Manual
Apply Basic Techniques of Commercial Cookery: Trainee Manual
cookery
Trainee Manual
Apply basic techniques
of commercial cookery
D1.HCC.CL2.01
Trainee Manual
Project Base
Acknowledgements
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member
States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
General Information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org.
All text is produced by William Angliss Institute of TAFE for the ASEAN Project on “Toolbox
Development for Front Office, Food and Beverage Services and Food Production Divisions”.
This publication is supported by the Australian Government’s aid program through the ASEAN-
Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCP II).
Copyright: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2013.
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is free from errors or omissions. However,
you should conduct your own enquiries and seek professional advice before relying on any fact,
statement or matter contained in this book. The ASEAN Secretariat and William Angliss Institute of
TAFE are not responsible for any injury, loss or damage as a result of material included or omitted
from this course. Information in this module is current at the time of publication. Time of publication is
indicated in the date stamp at the bottom of each page.
Some images appearing in this resource have been purchased from stock photography suppliers
Shutterstock and iStockphoto and other third party copyright owners and as such are non-transferable
and non-exclusive. Clip arts, font images and illustrations used are from the Microsoft Office Clip Art
and Media Library. Some images have been provided by and are the property of William Angliss
Institute.
Additional images have been sourced from Flickr and SKC and are used under Creative Commons
licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
File name: 500650604.docx
Table of contents
Unit descriptor....................................................................................................................3
Assessment matrix.............................................................................................................5
Glossary............................................................................................................................. 7
Appendices: Recipes.......................................................................................................91
Recommended reading..................................................................................................139
© ASEAN 2013
Trainee Manual
Apply basic techniques of commercial cookery
© ASEAN 2013
Trainee Manual
Apply basic techniques of commercial cookery
Introduction to trainee manual
© ASEAN 2013
Trainee Manual 1
Apply basic techniques of commercial cookery
Introduction to trainee manual
Front Office
Travel Agencies
Tour Operations.
All of these competency standards are available for you to look at. In fact you will find a
summary of each one at the beginning of each Trainee Manual under the heading ‘Unit
Descriptor’. The unit descriptor describes the content of the unit you will be studying in the
Trainee Manual and provides a table of contents which are divided up into ‘Elements’ and
‘Performance Criteria”. An element is a description of one aspect of what has to be
achieved in the workplace. The ‘Performance Criteria’ below each element details the
level of performance that needs to be demonstrated to be declared competent.
There are other components of the competency standard:
Unit Title: statement about what is to be done in the workplace
Unit Number: unique number identifying the particular competency
Nominal hours: number of classroom or practical hours usually needed to complete
the competency. We call them ‘nominal’ hours because they can vary e.g. sometimes
it will take an individual less time to complete a unit of competency because he/she
has prior knowledge or work experience in that area.
The final heading you will see before you start reading the Trainee Manual is the
‘Assessment Matrix’. Competency based assessment requires trainees to be assessed in
at least 2 – 3 different ways, one of which must be practical. This section outlines three
ways assessment can be carried out and includes work projects, written questions and
oral questions. The matrix is designed to show you which performance criteria will be
assessed and how they will be assessed. Your trainer and/or assessor may also use
other assessment methods including ‘Observation Checklist’ and ‘Third Party Statement’.
An observation checklist is a way of recording how you perform at work and a third party
statement is a statement by a supervisor or employer about the degree of competence
they believe you have achieved. This can be based on observing your workplace
performance, inspecting your work or gaining feedback from fellow workers.
Your trainer and/or assessor may use other methods to assess you such as:
Journals
Oral presentations
Role plays
Log books
Group projects
Practical demonstrations.
Remember your trainer is there to help you succeed and become competent. Please feel
free to ask him or her for more explanation of what you have just read and of what is
expected from you and best wishes for your future studies and future career in tourism
and hospitality.
© ASEAN 2013
2 Trainee Manual
Apply basic techniques of commercial cookery
Unit descriptor
Unit descriptor
Apply basic techniques of commercial cookery
This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to Apply basic techniques of
commercial cookery in a range of settings within the hotel and travel industries workplace
context.
Unit Code:
Nominal Hours:
50
Assessment matrix
Showing mapping of Performance Criteria against Work Projects, Written
Questions and Oral Questions
The Assessment Matrix indicates three of the most common assessment activities your
Assessor may use to assess your understanding of the content of this manual and your
performance – Work Projects, Written Questions and Oral Questions. It also indicates
where you can find the subject content related to these assessment activities in the
Trainee Manual (i.e. under which element or performance criteria). As explained in the
Introduction, however, the assessors are free to choose which assessment activities are
most suitable to best capture evidence of competency as they deem appropriate for
individual students.
2.2 Apply appropriate wet cooking method for 2.2 11, 12, 13 5
preparation of the dish/s
3.1 Select appropriate dry cooking method for 3.1 20, 21. 22 9
preparation of the dish/s
3.2 Apply appropriate dry cooking method for 3.2 23, 24, 25, 10
preparation of the dish/s 26
Glossary
Term Explanation
Blind bake Pastry is lined in a tin and covered with weighted paper,
it is then lightly cooked without colour prior to be filled
and baked fully
Brat pan A large free standing frying pan which can be tilted to
remove contents. Also known as tilting pan
Induction cook top Induction cook tops use an electromagnetic field to heat
up a pan while leaving the cooking surface cool to the
touch and without heating the air around the cook top.
It's much safer and more energy efficient than either gas
or electric cooking
Glossary
Term Explanation
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) These supply in-depth information about chemical
substances, including directions for use, safe storage
recommendations and first aid procedures
Tang That means the steel extends all the way into the
handle. The section of steel inside the handle is called
the tang, and if it goes all the way to the end of the
handle, it's called a "full tang."
Element 1:
Select and use equipment
1.1 Select appropriate cooking equipment to
prepare standard recipes
Introduction
Commercial kitchen equipment is generally designed for specific uses. Knowing what to
select for a task and how the equipment is used correctly is important. Being well
informed as to which equipment to choose and how to use it will assist you to work
efficiently as well as safely.
Good quality commercial kitchen equipment is frequently expensive. Keeping it well
maintained maximises its life and ensures that equipment is readily available for use; this
allows you to get the most value from the high cost. You need to learn how to use all
equipment correctly, including how it is safely assembled, disassembled, cleaned and
maintained.
Kitchen equipment is usually divided into large equipment which may be fitted or free
standing and small equipment. Some businesses supply all tools and equipment however
due to the cost of commercial knives often a cooks personal kit will include a range of
knives and some speciality equipment as well.
Large equipment
Large equipment usually refers to the fitted items in the kitchen which are permanently
connected to a power source either gas or electricity. However it also applies to large free
standing equipment that is not easily moveable due to its weight and size. In some cases
this might also include wood burning equipment. The most common large equipment
found in commercial kitchens is:
These large pieces of equipment use different methods of heating to cook foods which
make a difference to which you would select for a specific task.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Convection ovens
Convection is the transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of fluids.
Convection is usually the dominant form of heat transfer in liquids and gases/air.
Convection ovens can also be fan forced, using fans to circulate air around food. The fans
allow more heat to be transferred via convective heat transfer. This means food is cooked
more evenly, in less time and at a lower temperature than in a conventional oven thus
also saving energy. Fan speeds that can be regulated are useful when cooking delicate
items like soufflés and meringues.
Combination ovens
A combination oven is often referred to as a combi-oven or combi-steamer as it combines
the functionality of a convection oven together with a steaming chamber. It can produce
dry heat, moist heat or a combination of the two at a range of temperatures. It can
therefore be used to:
Bake
Roast
Grill
Steam
Braise
Poach.
Some combination ovens also include the following cooking functions:
Microwave
Core temperature probe.
Besides the versatility a Combi oven is a valuable addition to the commercial kitchen
because it can shorten cooking times and provide a more delicate cooking medium
compared to traditional cooking methods. The combination provided by being able to vary
the amount of steam at stages throughout cooking means that products can be kept moist
whilst also achieving crispy crusts. This is ideal for pastries and is also advantageous
when roasting large cuts of meat.
Induction tops
Induction cook tops use an electromagnetic field to heat up a pan while leaving the
cooking surface cool to the touch and without heating the air around the cook top. It's
much safer and more energy efficient than either gas or electric cooking.
Induction cookers are beneficial because they are:
Faster than traditional energy sources
More energy-efficient than traditional electric cooking surfaces
Are very precise in temperature variations
The possibility of burn injury is significantly less than with traditional methods because
the surface of the cook top is heated only by contact with the cooking vessel.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Microwave
Microwave ovens heat food by passing an electromagnetic
wave through it. The heat results from the absorption of
energy created by the movement of the water molecules in
the food. Food is generally heated more quickly, evenly
and efficiently than traditional methods except when food
is thick and dense.
Other more specialist large equipment which you may find
in the commercial kitchen includes:
Steamers
Pressure cookers
Wok burners
Soup/stock kettles
Smokers
Brat or tilt pan
Stand mixers
Slicers
Mincers
Silent or bowl cutter.
Small equipment
Small kitchen equipment may include:
Graters:
Mandolin
Decorating
Oyster
You will find many of the knives that have been listed and some additional speciality items
at web sites like this:
http://www.chef.com.au/
http://www.wusthof.ca/desktopdefault.aspx/country-aus/wlang-2/
Standard recipes
As stated the equipment you select will need to be appropriate for the recipe you are
preparing. Recipes used in commercial kitchens are referred to as standard recipes as
they are created in a standardised format that assists efficiency in both food production
and the maintenance of budget requirements. They also assist in ensuring that all meals
prepared are consistent. Additionally standard recipes are an excellent training tool for
new kitchen staff members. Providing standard recipes that meet the standards and
requirements of the establishment is helpful when you consider how many different
versions there are for preparing even traditional dishes.
A well constructed standard recipe will be in a standardised format and should include the
following information:
Basic information:
Name of dish
Ingredients used in the recipe
Quantities of ingredients
Method of preparation and cookery:
– Including timing
Additional industry requirements:
Name or description of the menu item
Section of the menu or kitchen the item/dish is prepared for
Portion size of the item
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Environmental sustainability
As commercial kitchens use large amounts of energy to operate and maintain equipment
it is worthwhile considering ways which may aid in conserving energy. Think about the
impact you make on the environment during a day in the commercial kitchen.
Energy can be saved by:
Preheating ovens, deep-fryers and other equipment when needed not just as a routine
at the commencement of a shift:
Alternatively you may reduce the temperature when not being immediately in use
to reduce energy whilst still having the equipment nearly ready for use
Turning gas flames, oven and hot plates off when not being used
Place lids on pots where appropriate to increase heating speed
Use the right sized equipment so you are not wasting energy
heating larger than required equipment
Turn lights off when they are not required
Keep refrigerator, cool-room and freezer doors closed
Maintain seals on oven and refrigerator doors
Check and maintain oven thermostats.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Always ensure you wear the correct protective clothing for the task you are completing
these include:
Types of protective
When to wear it Comments
clothing
Eye protection Cleaning Safety glasses with side shields are the
minimum level of eye protection required
when using hazardous chemical
cleaning products.
Gloves Gloves are used to: Protective gloves come in many different
types, they can protect against:
To protect food from
cuts Skin irritation
Cleaning strong Bacteria
coloured foods, e.g. Chemicals
Squid ink or beetroot
Heat
Cleaning with
chemicals Cuts.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Electrical equipment
The combination of electrical equipment in tight working spaces, water and sharp blades
increases the potential risk that applies to the use of electricity. Ensure that the following
safety procedures are always used:
Look after appliance cords:
Frayed and worn power cords should be repaired or discarded
Avoid double adaptor and 'piggy-back' connections
A licensed electrician should be used for all new maintenance and repair work
Safety switches should be installed
Electricity and water should not be mixed:
Check regularly for water leaks around fixed electrical equipment
Make sure your hands and towels are dry before touching electrical equipment
Keep lighters, matches and other combustible items at a safe distance from electrical
equipment
Keep electrical equipment clean to reduce the build up of grease
that can cause fires
Never leave cooking unattended
Unplug small electrical equipment such as blenders and food
processors especially when they have sharp blades before
dismantling and cleaning:
Never put your hand into electrical equipment that is plugged
in.
Gas equipment
As with electrical equipment gas equipment can be dangerous
if not used correctly, most of the safety requirements for
electrical equipment also apply to using gas fuelled equipment.
Make sure that you are well acquainted with the safe use of
gas appliances, including the following:
Gas needs to be ignited as soon as the equipment is
turned on:
Excessive build up of un-ignited gas can potentially
cause an explosion
Good ventilation is important when using gas equipment.
Knives
Commercial knives are a potential danger especially if they are not handled or maintained
correctly. The following safety procedures should always be kept in mind when working
with knives in the kitchen environment:
Knives should be stored carefully:
On a magnetic strip or in a knife block ready for use
Element 1: Select and use equipment
– Making sure you and other kitchen members are safe when opening steamer
doors. Stand beside the door using it as protection as you open it and wait for
the heat and steam to clear before continuing
– The pot of boiling water used for stove top steamers must be checked and
refilled regularly so it doesn't boil dry
– Always wipe out the steamer cabinet after use and clean up water spills
immediately
– Reduce the pressure in a stove top pressure cooker
by first removing it from the heat source and then
undo the safety valve slowly - it can also be placed
under cold running water to hasten the process -
when no more steam escapes from the valve
opening, the cooker is ready to be opened
– Safety valves must be check regularly for blockages
or corrosion
– Steamers must have a regular maintenance schedule
Mandolins:
Mandolins and other small hand-held slicers have extremely
sharp blades which need to be handled with care:
– Always use the safety guards provided
Slicers:
Electrical slicers have extremely sharp blades which need to be
handled with care:
– Always use the safety guards provided
– Always turn the machine off and unplug it before touching
the blade.
Hot foods
Moving and carrying large pots and trays of foods can be dangerous, always practise
safe manual handling techniques. For example:
Use well folded dry clothes or mitts to pick up hot handles
Apply safe manual handling techniques:
– Ask for assistance if carrying large heavy
quantities
When straining and decanting hot stocks or boiled
foods care needs to be taken especially when large
quantities are involved:
– Pour hot liquids away from the body
Moving and carrying large flat trays of hot foods can also
be dangerous as food can spill over the edges:
Apply safe manual handling techniques
Oil and fat build up on a flattop grill can be dangerous:
Make sure it is regularly scraped.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Hygiene procedures
Safe equipment handing includes food safety elements. This will be covered in more
detail in the next section on equipment cleaning procedures.
Equipment cleaning
You need to know what the standard enterprise procedures are in regard to each type of
equipment that you use. The frequency requirements of cleaning equipment varies and
can be divided into general categories for tasks that need cleaning each time that they are
used, on a daily or weekly basis and more general cleaning which can be scheduled
periodically. A well organised system of cleaning is an integral feature of a well run
kitchen. The following table lists some common examples of cleaning requirements:
Most kitchen These are tasks that These are areas or This includes the tasks
equipment needs to need to be done at items that need to be that are done on a
be cleaned least once daily or cleaned weekly. regular periodic basis
immediately after it is sometimes several such as deep
These tasks are often
used. times a day. cleaning.
allocated in teams and
This reduces the These tasks are often will be rotated to This cleaning will be
chances of food items allocated to the cooks evenly distribute the planned and may
being cross and kitchen staff workload. involve using external
contaminated. working in specific contractors.
areas of the kitchen.
Knives Stove tops Ovens Extraction
Utensils Deep fryers Freezer fans above
stove tops and
Chopping Coolroom Coolroom deep-fryers
boards Garbage bins Pilot lights on
Small mixing stove tops
equipment
Freezer
Preparation
surfaces
Element 1: Select and use equipment
The frequency of cleaning will be determined by the amount of usage and the types of
food which are prepared. Preparing foods which are potentially hazardous such as meats,
poultry and fish require particular attention to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination
however all equipment needs to be kept clean and hygienic. Some equipment such as
large coolrooms may require a daily clean and a more thorough weekly clean. Cleaning
schedules should be common practise, these list the following information:
What is to be cleaned
Why this is needed
Who is responsible for carrying out the cleaning
When the cleaning is to be done
How the process should be done:
What equipment is to be used
What chemicals are to be used?
To make sure that all equipment is cleaned correctly it is useful to create a cleaning
description sheet for each piece of equipment especially equipment which is complex or
has special cleaning requirements.
Cleaning sheet – meat slicer
Collect cleaning equipment Take to the slicer To save time if close at hand
Unplug the machine Switch off power point and To ensure safety
remove cable
Set the blade to zero Return the dial to zero To ensure all surfaces are
available for cleaning
thoroughly
Remove excess food waste Wipe all food surfaces with a To remove visible waste
damp cloth
Disassemble machine Take off all the removable Take care to put all
parts as instructed components into a tray so they
cannot be misplaced
Clean down all slicer surfaces Use a hot soapy cloth This is to be with hot water to
which detergent has been
added
Rinse the slicer using a clean Hot water This will require at least two
cloth rinses
Sanitise slicer surfaces Spray with leave on sanitiser Hot water to a minimum of
77C can also be used as a
sanitiser
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Dry Allow to air dry if possible Use clean paper towel to dry of
air drying is not possible
Reassemble machine ready for Return all parts to the machine All parts are to be securely
use reassembled and dial reset
Special note
Slicers are used for a broad range of products from vegetables to cheese, bread and meats. This
means that cross contamination can occur if all parts are not washed efficiently between uses.
When cleaning you need to use the correct cleaning products to ensure the process is
effective. The following will assist you to select the most appropriate product:
Hazardous substances, including cleaning agents and pest control chemicals must be
stored in an area (cupboard or separate room) dedicated to that use, and located away
from food storage and preparation areas. Hazardous substances (including decanted
hazardous substances) must be clearly and appropriately labelled. In most countries laws
apply to how these products are to be handled and stored. Cleaning schedules and
routines should be in place for all food preparation equipment and areas. Material safety
data sheets (MSDS) will provide information on the correct use of chemical detergents
and sanitisers.
Equipment Procedure
Some additional rules which need to be applied for special equipment include:
Equipment Procedure
Equipment storage
When storing kitchen equipment you need to consider convenience and ease of use
together with hygiene and safety. It is recommended that utensils be stored under the
bench in containers or drawers. Utensils that are stored on work surfaces or hung above
benches can attract dust and grease, particularly if located near the exhaust fans or
hoods above stove tops. Equipment stored in these areas can be a potential hazard to
staff working in the area. Clean equipment needs to be stored appropriately so that:
Contamination is minimised:
Stacking out of the way of falling food scraps
It is easy and safe to access, especially during
busy operations such as service periods
Occupation, health and safety issues must be
considered in relation to:
Weight, heavy items must be stacked low on
shelves
Reaching over hot stoves and flames to get
pans could potentially cause burns
Not stacked unevenly or too high which may cause equipment to fall
It is not damaged or broken:
Stacking is appropriate for the weight bearing capacity of the items.
Equipment Maintenance
A written maintenance schedule will assist the kitchen staff to regularly check the working
order of the equipment that is being used. Following the manufacturer's instructions or the
establishment’s procedures will asset you to include tasks such as:
Calibrate ovens
Calibrate thermometers
Sharpen meat slicers.
There are companies who specialise in maintaining
the equipment of the hospitality industry. An
example of the types of services that are provided
can be found at this web site:
http://www.cateringmaintenance.com.au/
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Work Projects
It is a requirement of this Unit you complete Work Projects as advised by your Trainer.
You must submit documentation, suitable evidence or other relevant proof of completion
of the project to your Trainer by the agreed date.
1.1. List the main tools that you would select to efficiently carry out following tasks:
Cutting mirepoix
Spreading soft mixtures
Boning a piece of meat
Making 10 litres of stock
Braising a casserole
Poaching a whole fish
Deep frying 2kg of potato chips.
1.2. Select a large piece of commercial kitchen equipment that you need to use for a
food preparation task, for example a brat pan, pressure steamer, slicer, bowl cutter
or large mixer:
Identify and list the steps in assembling, using and dismantling the equipment
safely
Assemble the equipment, use the equipment to prepare a food item correctly and
then disassemble ready for cleaning.
1.3. Select a large piece of commercial kitchen equipment for example a brat pan,
pressure steamer, slicer, bowl cutter or large mixer:
Identify and list the steps required to clean the equipment safely and hygienically
Carry out the cleaning process safely and hygienically.
Element 1: Select and use equipment
Summary
Element 2:
Apply wet methods of cookery
2.1 Select appropriate wet cooking method for
preparation of the dish/s
2.2 Apply appropriate wet cooking method for
preparation of the dish/s
Introduction
The cooking of food dates back to the early development of human civilisation. Food is
cooked to make it more pleasant to eat; this is referred to as palatability. The cooking
process requires the application of heat which can change the structure and resulting
texture, colour and smell of the food. Cooking food can also assist with keeping food safe
by limiting the growth of harmful bacteria known as pathogens.
Heat transfer
All foods are made up of constantly moving molecules. When foods are heated the
molecule motion is increased and the resulting friction creates heat transfer. Heat transfer
occurs within foods, in the medium in which they are cooked and via the energy source
used for cooking. There are three main types of heat transfer methods, they are:
Conduction
Conduction is the transfer of heat from one substance to another by direct contact.
Metals are good conductors of heat:
For example, metal pots and pans
Cork, china (porcelain), wood, plastics do not conduct heat well therefore are used
to keep items cool such as handles or trivets.
Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat between an object and its environment due to the
movement of molecules within fluids:
E.g. liquids and gases:
Water is a good conductor of heat:
– Steam is the vaporous form of water so is
heats even more effectively that water
Convection cannot take place in solids.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Radiation
Radiation refers to energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or
particles.
This web site shows in simple terms how these types of heat are generated:
http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SCE304
Definition:
Subjection of food to heat totally submerged in a liquid at 100°C
Gentle boiling is referred to as simmering 95°C to 98°C.
Principles:
The item must be completely covered in liquid throughout the process
Salted meat must be started in cold water to leech out excess salt
Root vegetables must be started in cold water to allow for even cooking and in some
cases leech out strong flavours
Green vegetables must be started in boiling water to preserve green colour
Green vegetables must be uncovered while cooking to retain colour
Scum that rises must be removed by skimming
Sauces and soups should be simmered, to prevent burning
Stocks should be simmered to prevent them becoming cloudy
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
With food totally covered by the liquid and the heat turned on high, bring the liquid up to
100°C and keep it there.
The water should be moving rapidly, and the bubbles break once they reach the surface.
SIMMERING is when the food you have brought to boil at a high heat has the
temperature reduced and the water is moving gently for slower cooking (95°C to 98°C).
If the lid is left on, the amount of liquid evaporated is reduced, and the cooking time is
shortened.
The exceptions to this are:
Pasta can overcook and can stick together if not stirred
Stock will go cloudy
Green vegetables will lose colour.
There are three important things to keep in mind when boiling:
Root vegetables are placed into cold water and then brought to the boil:
This removes the chemicals which can cause a bitter taste.
The vegetables will also cook more evenly
Green and leafy vegetables are placed into boiling water:
This cooks them quickly and reduces the loss of colour and nutrition
Pastas (and some boiled rice recipes) are placed into seasoned water that is already
boiling:
This sets the starch and stops the food sticking together.
Blanching
Blanching is the process of partly cooking food for later use by immersing in a hot liquid
to:
Remove the bitter taste from many vegetables
Seal the product
Partly cook food; speed up the cooking time
Assist in removing the skin from some foods, i.e. tomatoes.
Blanching is often a preliminary process to other cooking principles such as sautéing,
glazing braising or deep frying:
Blanching can be done in either hot or cold water:
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Cold water to open cells, remove blood, impurities and to leach out strong tastes
and salt from salted meats
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Hot water to seal in flavours and juices, partly pre-cook foods and to assist in the
removal of skins e.g. tomatoes and peaches
Blanching can also be done in hot fat at 150°C to cook potato chips with minimum
colour then they are coloured at a higher temperature of 190°C.
Methods of blanching
Blanching is a process usually used during mise-en-place, it can be a cold water start or a
boiling water start:
Blanching in boiling water:
Seals in the flavour and juice of meat
Partially cooks vegetables to hasten the time
needed to cook foods during service
To remove the skin of vegetables such as
tomatoes
Blanching in a cold water start:
Leaches out strong tastes in vegetables such as
turnips
Reduces excess salt in cured meats such as pickled
pork
Removes impurities such as blood in stock bones.
Some of the key points that need to be applied when
preparing boiled, simmered or blanched foods are listed here:
Some meats are Root vegetables Water should be Bones for stocks are
blanched in boiling should be placed in boiling before starchy sometimes blanched
water to seal in juices. cold water except foods are added. first to remove
when they are cut into impurities - especially
Flavouring such as Foods should be
small pieces. for clear stocks.
bouquet garni, regularly stirred to
mirepoix and herbs Green vegetables stop them from Generally stocks
and spices can be should be added to sticking together. should be started in
added to enhance rapidly boiling water. cold water to extract
Usually salt is added
flavour. impurities.
to the water to flavour
foods.
Soaking
Most legumes (dried beans and peas) need to be soaked before cooking:
So they slowly absorb the moisture and don’t split during cooking
To break down the oligosaccharides (the indigestible sugars that cause gas) which
can cause intestinal discomfort
When beans aren't soaked they take much longer to cook which can impact on their
resulting nutritional value
Skimming
regularly skim the froth or foam which rises in boiling and simmering liquids such as
stocks and sauces with a ladle
Refreshing
Refreshing is when hot blanched food is plunged into cold water to stop the cooking
process.
Vegetables are often partially cooked during mise-en-place so they can be served
quickly service periods
Refreshing vegetables in chilled water halts the cooking process:
Refreshing prevents vegetables from continuing to cook from residual heat
Refreshing prevents vegetables from losing their vibrant colour.
Poaching
Water is an excellent conductor of heat
Definition:
Subjection of food to heat in a liquid held as close to boiling
point as possible without movement of the liquid.
Temperature for poaching is 93°C to 95°C.
Principles:
Item must be completely covered in the liquid
Start process by bringing liquid to the boil, then reduce heat to poaching temperature
before adding the food
Whole large fish start in cold liquid to allow for even cooking
Small fish and fish cuts start at poaching temperature
For poaching eggs allow enough liquid for the egg to float freely
Fruit is poached in stock syrup. It must be completely covered in liquid and covered.
Poaching techniques
Poaching is a gentler process of cooking than boiling and is more suitable for tender or
delicate foods like fish, eggs and fruit.
It is important that foods which are to be poached need to be prepared in uniform size and
added to the poaching liquid at times which ensure they are ready to be removed at
the same time. This means that you will not be 'fishing' around in the liquid for items
which could break delicate foods. Alternatively different ingredients may be poached
in individual pots/pans.
Foods can be poached in a variety of liquids, all of which are aimed to enhance the
flavour of the food not just provide a method of heat transfer. The following lists some
typical poaching liquids and the foods that are commonly poached in them:
Offal
Court Bouillon:
Fish
An aromatic cooking liquid
of mirepoix and lemon or Eggs
vinegar
Chicken cuts in chicken stock
Stock
Beef in beef stock
Fish in fish stock
Fresh fruits
Stock syrup:
Dried fruits
A syrup of sugar and water:
Additional flavourings
include spices and alcohol
Meats
Wine:
Fruit
Red
White
Sweet
Offal
Milk
Meringue quenelles
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
When poaching food you may need to consider the following techniques:
Submerging:
Poached foods need to be kept submerged so they don’t
discolour or dry out on top:
A cartouche is ideal for this purpose
Draining:
it important that poached foods are well drained before
plating and saucing so that excess liquid is removed:
Draining racks or absorbent paper can be used
If items are delicate take care that foods do not stick to the
rack or paper
Reducing poaching liquids:
Poaching liquids can be reduced to make excellent sauces as they contain the
flavours and some nutrients of the foods cooked in them.
Poaching liquids
Water
Sugar syrup
Milk
Court bouillon
Stock.
The time needed will be determined by the structure of the food.
Steaming
Water is an excellent conductor of heat.
Definition:
Subjection of food to heat in the form of steam in enclosed or confined space.
Pressure varies according to the type of equipment used:
Atmospheric steaming – 103°C
Pressure steaming – 121°C.
Principles:
Steaming is a quick method of cooking
Atmospheric steaming is suitable for tender items of food
Pressure steaming is suitable for tough cuts of food
The steamer must be tightly closed or lidded
Puddings in basins must be covered with greaseproof
paper to prevent condensation falling into the pudding
and making them soggy
The steamer must be hot before placing food in so the
food begins to cook immediately and timing is more accurate.
Advantages to steaming are:
No loss of nutritional value
No addition of fat.
Why do we steam food?
Steaming is a very quick method of cookery, approximately twice as quick as boiling
A major benefit of steaming is that it retains the colour, flavour and nutritional value of
food
As a fat free method of cookery, it is also healthier
Steaming (not unlike boiling) will not greatly enhance the flavour of a dish
Care must be taken to ensure that a suitable flavour accompanies the steamed dish,
unless it is specifically intended to be served without garnish relishes or sauce
It should be noted that steaming green vegetables in non-atmospheric steamers will
make them go brown
The solution is to blanch them in boiling water first and steam them when required.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Steaming techniques
Steaming is a very efficient method of cookery which can allow for large perforated trays
of food to be cooked simultaneously. It is often considered to be a highly nutritious
method of cookery as food is cooked quickly and nutrients are not lost in the cooking
medium. Additionally if fat or oil is added it is usually only a small amount drizzled lightly
over the finished item.
Steaming is not commonly used for cooking meats but in large bulk food production it may
be used in conjunction with other methods of cookery. For example meat may be
pressure steamed then finished as a braise.
Poultry and seafood are appropriate items to steam as are vegetables and dried fruits that
are not likely to lose their colour. Steaming puddings is another traditional use of this
method of cookery.
To achieve good quality products you may need to take account of the following
processes in combination with steaming:
Moulding
Steamed items such as puddings and vegetable timbales are placed into individually
portioned moulds for ease of service and presentation:
Moulds need to be lightly greased with butter or oil so food can easily be removed
after cooking
Moulds will need to be sealed to prevent water vapour from making the products
soggy during the cooking process
Wrapped Foods
Foods that are wrapped can be baked or steamed however it is the moisture from
within the food that creates steam to effectually cook the items therefore this method
works best with moist foods like fish:
En Papillote is a French method of wrapping foods in parchment paper
Leaves and bark can also be used.
It is very important to be very careful when steaming as the temperature of steam is
higher than that of boiling water. Steam can cause painful burns. Additionally there are
dangers associated with operating cooking equipment that is under pressure so be sure
to follow instructions consistently.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Steaming equipment
Types of steamers include:
Atmospheric:
The steam operates at, or just slightly above, atmospheric pressure, Temperature
approximately 103°C
e.g. steaming bamboo baskets over the top of a pan of water or double saucepan.
Pressure steaming:
The steam is contained at 35 – 50 kPa. Temperature approximately 121°C
The pressure must be released before opening the door. This style of steamer is
usually found in larger commercial environments.
High pressure steaming:
The steam is contained at about 100 kPa. Before opening the steamer, pressure is
released through a pressure valve. This type of steamer cooks food quickly and is
suitable for high volume establishments
Note: kPa is the amount of kilos of pressure of steam in an area of one square metre
measured in a sealed unit.
Today commercial kitchens are increasingly turning to combi-ovens. These ovens offer a
variety of uses and can steam as well as bake, roast, or combine steam and baking. This
development in oven technology means that one piece of equipment can do several
activities. Combi-ovens can provide both atmospheric and pressure steaming.
While microwaves can be used to steam food, they are not as quick as combi-oven
steamers and cannot cope with volume steaming.
Additionally equipment used for steaming includes:
Bamboo steamer
Saucepans with steamer inserts and lids
Perforated trays.
Stewing
Definition:
Stewing is the subjection of food to the action of heat in a minimum amount of simmering
liquid or sauce.
Principles
The food item must be covered with liquid
Foods to be simmered slowly to tenderise the meat and concentrate the flavours
Suitable for tough items of food
Item and cooking liquid are served together
Meat for stews can be either seared in hot fat first (e.g. ragout) or left natural (e.g. Irish
stew).
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
The searing or colouring of meats in hot fat that are to be stewed or braised is to flavour
the dish not to seal in the moisture. The searing of the meat refers to the Maillard reaction
that happens when meat is coloured at high heat during the cooking processed.
Stewing techniques
Stewing is a slow cooking method with temperatures between 120C and 140C. Cooking
is generally on the stove top in an open vessel but the oven is also sometimes used
particularly for large batches of foods. When stewing meats the flavourings that are
added to the base meats will depend on the region or area of the world where the dish
originates but usually include the liquid used for cooking together
with vegetables, herbs and spices. In some areas stew will be
vegetable or legume based such as the Vegetarian curries of
India. Ultimately the ingredients in a stew infuse together so its
many components become the flavourful completed dish. Fruit
can also be stewed although this is a shorter process because of
the structure of fruit.
A range of traditional savoury stews from around the world is listed here:
Beef Stroganoff A stew with beef, mustard, stock and sour cream from Russia
Cassoulet A slow cooked French stew of pork, sausages, duck and white beans
Chilli con carne A Texan spicy tomato based kidney bean and ground beef stew
Goulash A stew from Hungarian dish of meat and potatoes seasoned with paprika
Irish Stew A traditional simple Irish dish of stewed lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions
and parsley from Ireland
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Lancashire Hotpot A traditional slow baked English stew of lamb or mutton and onions
topped with sliced potatoes
Pot-au-feu A French beef and vegetable stew which varies from region to region
Tagine A North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is
cooked
Many more stews from around the world can be found at this web site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stew#List_of_stews
Stewing equipment
The equipment used will depend on what is being stewed however as this method
requires submersion in liquid or sauce the pots and trays used are often low sided and
broad based.
A heavy based pan will assist in reducing sticking.
Additionally equipment used for stewing includes:
Cartouche.
Braising
Definition:
Braising is the subjection of food to the action of heat in an oven, while it is enclosed in a
container with liquid or sauce.
Principles
The food items to be braised should be of a tough
nature
Foods must be sealed before braising (except
sweetbreads)
Braising pan should be in keeping with the size of
the item being braised
Items must be half covered with liquid
Container must be tightly lidded to stop evaporation
Process must be carried out slowly to tenderise tough fibres in meats
Liquid may be used to produce a sauce
Braised vegetables may be served with a sauce made separately (the liquid is usually
too strong and similar in taste to the vegetables).
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Braising techniques
Like stewing, braising is usually selected as a method of cookery to tenderise tough
meats. Foods which are to be braised are sealed in some way before they are cooked.
This enhances the flavours, moistness and may reduce nutrient loss. Foods can be
sealed in a variety of ways, these are:
Browning
Sealing without colour
Blanching and refreshing.
The liquids used for braising include:
Stock
Alcohol, wine, beer and cider
Sauce
Stock syrup.
Braising equipment
The equipment used for braising will need to have a tightly fitting lid. Sometimes
aluminium foil is used to enclose large trays of food to be braised.
A heavy based pan will achieve consistent heat across the base of the pan
Additionally equipment used for braising includes:
Cartouche.
Braising vs stewing
Braising and stewing have both similarities and differences.
The following may assist with your understanding of these cookery methods:
Similarities
Both methods are suited to tough cuts of meat
Temperature range is similar
Both are slow, wet cooking methods.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Differences
Stewing Braising
The liquor is used to prepare the sauce Generally liquor is used as sauce with the exception
of some strong flavoured vegetables
Meats generally un-seared prior to wet Meats seared prior to wet cooking. Exception of
cooking sweetbreads
Foodstuff just covered with liquor Foodstuff half covered with liquor
Foodstuffs generally cut prior to cooking Large pieces of meat may be carved after being
cooked
Products
When you are selecting the methods of cookery you plan to use you need to carefully
consider the characteristics of the products that they will be applied to. This is particularly
relevant when considering animal foods as factors such as the age and cut of the animal
will impact on how it will cook.
Muscle tissue develops with age so young animals are usually more tender than the
equivalent mature animal. Muscle tissue also develops with use so the parts of the
animals that do the most work such as the legs and shoulders are tougher than the cuts
found around the loin area known as the Argentine in animals such as beef. Most animals
carry their fat around the belly so these cuts will be the most fatty.
There are other factors which can have an impact on the resulting dish such as sex, bred,
feed, environment, slaughter and ageing methods; however these are covered in more
detail in other units as you progress through your training.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Here are some guidelines that will support you in making appropriate choices for the
animal products you may select when preparing food using the wet methods of cookery:
Steak: Poach
Fillet
Silverside: Poach
Pickled
Shoulder Braise
Shoulder: Poach
Pickled
Leg Braise
Portion control
Portion control should be applied throughout the food preparation process. Many
problems with cookery arise because foods are not prepared or served consistently and
this is where portion control can help. Portion control includes:
Using standard recipes that list precise quantities of ingredients in each portion of a
dish
Preparing foods consistently so that they cook
evenly
Consistently serving standard quantities of dish
components.
Applying good portion control techniques will assist
you to produce quality dishes that enhance
customer satisfaction rates.
Problem Effect
Overcooked
Discoloured boiled eggs
Poaching
Problem Effect
Overcooked
Foods break up
Liquids above simmering temperature
Not fully submerged in poaching liquid
Fruit discolours
Steaming
Problem Effect
Overcooked
Broken foods
Not handled carefully
Stewing
Problem Effect
Undercooked
Meat is tough
Quality of meat not appropriate for dish
Braising
Problem Effect
Sauce burnt on the bottom of pan, or too thick Cooking temperature too high
or reduced too much Ill-fitting lid
Undercooked
Meat is tough
Quality of meat not appropriate for dish
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Standard Recipes
Producing standard recipes for each of the preparations in a commercial kitchen is time
consuming but they provide the documents which assist to produce consistent end
products. Initially the standard recipe will list the basic ingredients, quantities and
techniques of each of the recipes used in the establishment. However it is important to
refine these documents as you cook. The types of changes that might need to be made
include:
Timing
Equipment best used
Variety of ingredients
Variety of techniques
Portion sizes.
Some of these changes might be required to improve the basic recipe and others to meet
the specific dietary needs of the customers of the establishment. Additionally the world of
food production is not static and you will find that new equipment, exposure to different
ingredients and techniques will also alter the processes you use.
Continuous improvement
Developing cooking skills should be seen as a process of
continuous development. No cook has seen all the
ingredients or all the techniques that exist throughout the
diversity of cuisines around the globe. However, mastering
the basic methods of cookery is an important first step as
you will find many apparently unique dishes are based on
the key basic methods.
Take the time to evaluate your end products in relation to
the processes of wet cookery methods that have been
covered in this section. Evaluation will need to include
making any corrections to your standard recipes so that you have a record of the
improvements you have made, there is a lot to learn and you might have forgotten the
changes by the time you make this item again.
Over time the standard recipes you use in training and the workplace can be collated and
become an excellent resource. These recipes will be more valuable to you as a cook if
you make improvements to the finer points of the techniques you learn and use.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Table d'hôte Most commonly used for functions. Ease of service is important when
serving large numbers of meals in a short period. Soup and short pasta
(Set menu)
items are useful choices as are braised and stewed dishes although
these can be difficult to present nicely.
À la carte All wet cooking methods can be used in the à la carte service style as
small numbers of each item are prepared and served at a time.
Buffet Ease of service is important with the menu items on a buffet as the
food is generally served directly to the customer. Soups and braised or
stewed items can be good choices on a winter buffet.
Cocktail Most wet cooking methods are avoided for cocktail style service as the
aim is usually to be able to pick up items in the fingers (often referred to
as finger food).
You can apply your knowledge and skills in carrying out the correct procedures of the wet
cookery methods by practising in a range of different service situations. What are the key
points that you would need to follow to achieve quality end products in each of the
following situations:
Dishes cooked by the wet methods of cookery must be finished and presented in a skilled
manner. You will need to use sauces, accompaniments and garnishes to achieve this.
Finishing methods include consistency and proficiency in:
Plate and crockery selection
Portioning
Plating:
Shape and height enhance the look of dishes
Saucing or dressing
Accompaniment choice
Garnishing.
What finishing methods would you apply to the following dishes?
Poached eggs
Spaghetti Bolognese
Osso bucco
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Cooking times
In general the cooking times for foods using the wet methods of cookery can easily be
divided as is shown in the following table. However there are always exceptions, many
fruits stew quite quickly and stock takes many hours on a simmer.
Fast Slow
Poaching Braising
Steaming Stewing
Learning to judge how long menu items will take to cook in both the mise-en-place and
service phases of food production is a fundamental skill you will need to learn. This will
allow you to sequence your daily tasks and work efficiently. Achieving this during service
periods will take practise which is why many training cooks start in the Cold Larder /
Gardemanger sections of the kitchen where there is a little less preciseness required as
the immediacy of serving hot foods is not a factor.
When you are familiar with the cooking times for items you will be able to respond more to
problems where you may need to prepare an alternative item quickly. You can also
provide suggestions for options for customers who may be in a hurry or wanting a specific
item.
Storage capacity
The menu items that are prepared in a commercial kitchen will be influenced by the types
and amounts of equipment that the establishment has at its disposal. The range of
equipment impacts on the ability to adequately store the produced items between and
during service periods. For example if you prepare items like soups and braised dishes in
bulk you will need large cooking vessels as well as adequate containers to decant and
store these items in. Additionally the large equipment like fridges and freezers will need to
be sufficient to hold both the raw ingredients required to make these dishes as well as the
finished cooked products.
An à la carte menu will usually have differing storage requirements to a table d'hôte (set)
menu. Refrigerated and heated mise-en-place storage requirements can be extensive if
there are lots of menu items; equipment such as hot Bain Maries and inserts and chilled
storage with inserts or containers are required.
Consider what equipment is needed for storing the
following ready for service:
200 individual serves of steamed vanilla pudding
10 different hot sauces.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Cooking systems
The most common system of preparing foods is traditional cook and serve, this means all
foods are prepared in a way that is designed to be served within a relatively short time of
them being cooked so they are at the freshest. There is of course variations as some
items need to be cooked and served immediately such as steamed green vegetables and
others can be stored and reheated for service over several days such as meat stews.
Alternative cooking systems that are used in commercial kitchens include:
Cook/chill
Cook/freeze
Sous vide.
An example of the process used in these types of systems is:
Food preparation:
Food items are prepared and cooked in bulk at your establishment or at a central
location using strict control standards
Bag fill:
When the exact degree of doneness is reached and while still above
pasteurisation temperature, food is filled directly into special Cook Chill bags
Bag seal:
The cook chill bag is then securely closed with a heat seal system or clip closure
Chilling:
The sealed bag is immediately chilled to halt the cooking process by either:
– Using a blast chiller
– Placing it in iced water
Store:
Food is stored refrigerated or frozen until ready to serve
Reheat:
At the serving location the product can be reheated in several ways:
– The bag can be placed in a steamer
– The bag can be immersed in hot water
– The bag can be opened and the contents
poured into a cooking vessel to reheat the
product
Finished product:
Presented as you would freshly cooked foods.
The advantages of these systems are:
Effective resource and time management by
producing in bulk
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Flexibility in service:
More menu items
Menu items available at short notice
Reduced waste and improved portion control
Increased profitability.
You can find more information about these types of cooking systems at the following
websites:
http://www.plascongroup.com/the-cook-chill-system.html
http://www.hospitalityconsult.com.au/cook-chill.html
Communication
The hospitality industry is a service industry which means that an underpinning aim is to
provide customers with the goods (dishes) and services that they require. To achieve the
level of service customers are looking for requires kitchen staff to work effectively together
as a team. During mise-en-place the kitchen team need to communicate well to ensure all
the components of a menu are ready for service. During service the team need to use
appropriate communication to coordinate the dishes so that the customers receive their
meals as desired. When you are in training always make sure you ask for help when you
require it.
Some of the key points that can help you to develop
your communication skills include:
Listen carefully to instructions
Ask questions if you need requirements clarified
Speak clearly when you are responding
Use positive body language.
These points will assist you to work in a team with your colleagues.
Pre-service briefing
The pre-service briefing ensures the FOH staff are aware of
any factors which could impact on service, including:
Portion numbers
Cooking times
Dishes for special dietary needs
Service styles.
Making sure that the FOH are well informed prior to service will assist the kitchen
operations during the busy production period. It is ideal if the FOH know in advance what
they can offer the customer as this saves having to take the time to check when both
teams are busy. It also presents a more professional image to the customer.
Cooking timelines
The amount of time needed to cook or heat dishes during service needs to be
communicated to the service staff during the pre-service briefing. Some dishes can be
serviced quickly and others take more time. When considering the wet methods of
cookery the cooking times for dishes can generally be divided into short and long cooking
times as listed here:
Boiled Steamed
Braised Poached
Stewed
Most items that are prepared using long slow cooking methods will be prepared in bulk
prior to service so that they only need to be reheated during service periods
Boiling may be a reasonably quick method of cookery but few dishes are served that are
just boiled, usually this is just one part of the dish preparation
Steaming and poaching are fast cooking methods so can be useful when extra portions
are need quickly especially for vegetables.
Portion quantities
The portion quantities that are prepared for each of the items on a menu are usually
based on a sales analysis from data collected over previous service periods. In an à la
carte style of service this data is used by the chef to forecast the popularity of menu items
and prepare the number of portions accordingly.
It is important to be aware of where there may be flexibility to offer additional serves of
some menu items in urgent situations when the allocated portions have been exhausted.
The most likely options of menu items which could be prepared quickly using wet cooking
methods include:
Steamed vegetables
Poached foods such as eggs, chicken or seafood
Excess prepared soups, sauces, braise and stews.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
All this information needs to be communicated to the service staff during the pre-service
briefing.
Cardiovascular
Coeliac disease Lactose intolerance Diabetes
diseases
Many of the dishes Many meats that are Cream is commonly Stock syrups used to
cooked by the wet braised are first used to enrich soups. poach fruit are high in
methods are good dusted in flour - wheat Dairy foods contain sugars which are
choices as they use flour is unsuitable. lactose. unsuitable.
limited fat or oils.
You will need to check the labels of all prepared foods that you are using if a customer
needs to avoid a particular food.
As food allergies are potentially the most dangerous of special dietary requirements due
to the possibility of life threatening reactions it is vital that if you are unsure of any
ingredients that may have been used in a dish you are responsible for serving then you
need to check with your chef or supervisor.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Customers may also require special meals or menus because of other factors such as:
Cultural practises or conventions
Religious rules
Ethical beliefs.
These may impact on how they would like foods
cooked.
Service styles
The type of service style you are using may influence the preparation methods that used
and this may differ from the usual methods prepared by the establishment you work in.
All wet methods of cookery are Braised and stewed items are Braised and stewed items are
applied. most likely due to ease of most likely due to ease of
service. service.
Soups and short or filled Soups and short or filled
pastas are also useful function pastas are also useful for
choices. buffet presentation.
Element 2: Apply wet methods of cookery
Work Projects
It is a requirement of this Unit you complete Work Projects as advised by your Trainer.
You must submit documentation, suitable evidence or other relevant proof of completion
of the project to your Trainer by the agreed date.
2.1 Select an appropriate standard recipe for a dish for each of the following wet
methods of cookery:
Boiling
Poaching
Steaming
Stewing
Braising.
2.2. Prepare and present each of the dishes you selected in 2.1 to your trainer for
evaluation meeting the following criteria:
2.4. Prepare, cook and serve a simple dish using a wet method of cookery in the
following situations:
2.5 Provide a written pre-service briefing document that would provide FOH with all the
information they would need for the service in regards to the dishes you have
selected and prepared in 2.1 and 2.2. Include the following information:
Summary
Element 3:
Apply dry methods of cookery
3.1 Select appropriate dry cooking method for
preparation of the dish/s
3.2 Apply appropriate dry cooking method for
preparation of the dish/s
Introduction
Making food more palatable is the aim of cooking. Dry methods of cookery often add
texture to food as the cooking process dries out the food creating a crispy or crunchy
texture. Cooking food also helps to keep it safe by limiting the growth of harmful
pathogenic bacteria.
Each different method of cookery has particular types of foods which are more suitable to
the style. Deep frying and shallow frying are ideal for small cuts of tender meat, poultry
and seafood. Roasting is ideal for whole large joints or birds. Baking is used to create the
crisp textures desired in pastry goods.
When you are cooking foods not only will you need to select the most appropriate cooking
methods but you will need to also apply the specifics of these methods to ensure that your
finished dishes and products are of the best quality.
Baking
Definition
Subjection of food to the action of dry heat in an oven
Principles
Preheat oven to required temperature
Weigh ingredients accurately
Understand ingredient function
Distribute foods evenly on greased baking trays to assist even cooking
For best results place foods in appropriate position in oven
Even sized items on the same tray, small items bake faster than large items
Do not mix different items on the same tray
Clean equipment well.
Why do we bake?
Baking creates visual appeal, and produces a flavoursome texture
Delicate liquid-based foods, such as crème caramel or other baked egg custards, are
cooked ‘au bain-marie’ (water bath) which spreads heat more evenly and stops food
overheating and boiling.
When baking you may need to consider the additional following techniques:
Greasing:
Trays, tins and moulds need to be greased so that the products do not stick and
can easily be removed:
– Butter or oil or non-stick spray and a light dusting of flour is generally used for
cakes
– Butter and a light dusting of sugar is common for sweet soufflés
Silicon coated paper or silicon baking sheets also prevent pastries and other
baked goods sticking to trays
Glazing:
Glazing baked products enhances their
presentation:
– Applying an egg wash prior to baking is the
most common glaze
– Milk is a simple cheap glaze which can also be
applied prior to baking
– Sugar syrup will produce a shiny finish, this is applied after baking
Cooling:
Baked goods need to be cooled on cooling racks to prevent the bottoms from
becoming soggy.
Baking equipment
A gas or electric oven is used for baking.
A fan forced ovens will hasten the speed of cooking as they force hot air to circulate more
evenly around food. This also creates a more evenly cooked product.
Wood burning ovens may be found in speciality establishments.
Additionally equipment used for baking includes:
Baking trays
Cake, tart, muffin and biscuit tins and moulds
Resting rack
Pastry brush
Silicon coated baking paper
Silicon mats
Dry cloths or oven mitts.
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Roasting
Definition
Subjection of food to the action of heat in an oven, or while it is rotating on a spit – in both
cases fat or oil is used as a ‘basting agent’
Principles
Items should be of a good quality and tender
Before roasting all items should be seasoned
Large roasts should be raised to prevent them from frying in melted fat. Bones or
mirepoix can be used
Items must be basted during roasting process
The cooking process must be started in a hot oven to seal juices then lower the
temperature to allow even cooking
Roast vegetables should be started in hot fat before placed in the oven
Roast meats should be rested before carving to prevent excessive loss of juices
Check doneness with thermometer or juices running clear in poultry, pink in red
meats.
The internal temperature of roasted meats is used to determine if the meat is cooked to
the correct degree, a probe thermometer is used for this. Pork and poultry are usually fully
cooked as the texture of the meat is not pleasant to eat when rare or medium. The
temperatures that are required are as follows:
Medium 70C
When roasting you will need to apply some of these additional following techniques:
Techniques
Techniques
Larding means to insert chilled solid fat with a larding needle into
Larding
lean meat which is to be roasted prevent it drying out and
providing extra flavour:
Spec (pork back fat) is used for larding
Barding means to wrap the item to be roasted in fat to prevent it
Barding
drying out:
Bacon and spec (pork back fat) slices are used for barding
Meat must be rested after cooking before it is served or carved to
Resting
allow the muscle to relax and the juices to settle
For a large cut 20 minutes in a warm place is ideal
During the roasting process juices from meat and poultry drain into the roasting pan.
These juices should be incorporated into the accompanying sauce (gravy) as they
enhance the natural flavours. It is important to take care to drain excess fat and oil from
these juices otherwise the resulting sauce will be too greasy.
Traditionally gravy and roasted vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin and onions are
served with roasted meats. Additional accompaniments that you are likely to serve with
roasted meats include:
Yorkshire pudding. mustard or horseradish with beef
Mint sauce with lamb
Apple sauce with pork
Game chips with game.
Roasting equipment
A gas or electric oven is used for roasting.
A fan forced oven will hasten the speed of cooking as they force hot air to circulate more
evenly around food. This also creates a more evenly cooked product.
Wood burning ovens may be found in speciality establishments.
Additionally equipment used for roasting includes:
Roasting trays
Lidded pots for pot roasting
Carving knife and fork
Rotisserie
Spit
Meat thermometer
Basting tool.
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Poeleing / confit
Definition
Subjection of food to the action of heat in an oven while it is enclosed in a sealed
container with butter/fat.
Principles
Suited to lean cuts of meat, game and poultry
All items must be of good quality
Size of the dish should be in keeping with the item
Sliced vegetables and herbs in addition to the meat will enhance the flavour
Sufficient butter/fat must be used to allow for adequate basting
No liquid to be used in the process
The container used must have a tight fitting lid
The temperature must be high
Lid will have to be removed during the last third of the process to allow the item to
colour
Vegetables and sediment should be used to prepare the sauce.
Grilling
Definition
It is best to clarify the terms grilling and broiling.
The heat source for grilling comes from the bottom, whereas the
heat source from broiling comes from the top and bottom.
Grilling principles
Food must be small in size (large items would become charred
before the inside would be cooked)
Food items must be of good quality and tender
Food items must be lightly oiled and seasoned before grilling
Heat must be fierce enough to enable instant sealing to keep in the juices
Grill bars must be hot, clean and oiled lightly so as to prevent the food items from
sticking.
Why do we grill?
Grilling is a quick method of cooking suitable for prime cuts of meats, poultry and fish.
To achieve even cooking ensure that the item that is being cooked is as evenly sized
as possible
Grilling seals the food which is cooked to a crispy, golden colour
Sealing allows juices to remain in the product
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Soft fruits like stone fruit, Mushrooms Whole small fish and cutlets on
pineapple the bone
When you are grilling you may need to consider the additional following techniques:
Grilling equipment
There are a range of types of grills available including:
Char-grill:
Products are cooked over the char-grill, with heat induced by either gas or electricity
Food juices drip onto the charcoal or volcanic rocks which feed the flames and provide
a distinctive aroma. Resultant heat creates a criss-cross (trellising) appearance, which
is an effective presentation
If you do not have access to a char-grill and wish to give a trellised appearance to
food, this can be achieved by heating a heavy duty wire grid.
Grill plate or flat top grill:
Products are cooked over the grill plate, with heat induced by either gas or electricity.
Salamander:
Also known as a grill. Food is placed on a tray or dish under the flame or element
The food will be cooked and browned from radiated heat
Some salamanders heat from both sides, which greatly speeds up the cooking
process.
The Salamander is also used to ‘gratinee’ foods. This means to colour the top of food
items.
Barbeques (BBQ):
These can be enclosed kettles, flat grills, char grills or grill bars
These can be fired by gas, electricity or wood.
Additionally equipment used for grilling includes:
Tongs
Silicon BBQ cooking mats
Wire brush
Skewers.
Shallow frying
Definition
Shallow frying is a dry method of cookery where food is cooked using hot oil or fat in a
shallow pan. The amount of oil is usually half the depth or thickness of the food.
Principles
Foods suitable – fish, meat, poultry, must be tender, of good quality
Food items must be seasoned before being shallow fried. Also, in some cases, coated
to reduce sticking
The presentation side of the food item should be cooked first. This reduces the risk of
overcooked crumbs showing on the presentation side
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Food item must be placed in hot fat to seal it. This will prevent absorption of fat and
loss of juices
Turn products only once using tongs or a palette, using a fork will allow the fat in and
the juices out
Food item must be well drained after cooking.
Seafood's:
Fish fillets
Shellfish
Vegetables – usually coated
Farinaceous such as pasta, gnocchi, polenta and pancakes
or crepes
Eggs.
This technique is to Referred to as pan The word means to Usually done in a wok
cook in oil or fat but frying, food is cooked jump or toss and this and is sometimes
without colour. in hot oil or fat. is what is needed in referred to as wok
the technique of tossing.
This technique is Food is turned over
sautéing.
usually just the first part way through the Food for stir frying is
part of the cooking in a cooking to ensure it is cut into small even
soup or stewed dish. evenly cooked. pieces and moved
quickly and often as it
is cooked.
Thin cuts of Soft or
Vegetables Stir fry meat,
meat blanched
vegetables rice or
Seafood Vegetables
noodles
Eggs Small cuts of
meat, poultry
Offal or seafood
Farinaceous Some pasta
food such as dishes
gnocchi or
polenta
Pancakes,
patties and
crepes
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Deep frying
Definition
Subjection of food to heat while it is immersed in hot fat
Principles
All food items should be seasoned prior to coating with the exception of chips which
should be salted after cooking and draining
Meat, poultry and fish should be able to cook quickly, not too thick
Potatoes must be dry before frying to avoid splatter of hot fat
The fat must be hot enough to seal the outside of the food. Keeps the moisture in the
food
Temperature range 160°C to 190°C
Do not overload the fryer (this will reduce the temperature of the fat). Food will absorb
the fat, loose its juices and could break up. Maximum fat/food ratio 8:1
Drain all foods well before serving.
Drain all deep fried foods well. Deep frying compound is expensive and should be
allowed to drain from foods thoroughly before serving them. The foods will be less
greasy and you will save frying medium
Top up fryer to recommended level. This will allow the fryer to cook foods to their
optimum by shortening the recovery time
Filter fat regularly – preferably after each service. Burning crumbs etc shorten the life
of frying compounds
Ensure that when deep fryers have been cleaned that they are thoroughly rinsed and
dried and the tap closed. Detergent is a contributory factor to fat breakdown
Have a spider handy.
When deep frying you will need to coat foods before they are placed in the deep fryer, this
can be done a variety of ways including the following common coatings:
Products
As with the wet methods of cookery selecting methods which enhance the characteristics
of the products that you are using is the key to producing good quality dishes. Remember
that meat is the muscle of animals. The animal and the part of the animal you are using
will impact on how it will cook.
Carefully consider the characteristics of the products you are using. Here are some
guidelines that will support you in making appropriate choices for the animal products you
may choose for the dry methods of cookery:
Whole porterhouse
Beef Roast
Whole rump
Rib-eye roll
Steak:
Grill
Rump
T-bone
Porterhouse
Scotch
Fillet
Mince
Shoulder
Pork Roast
Leg
Chops
Grill, pan fry
Loin
Escalope
Rack
Lamb Roast
Leg
Shoulder
Cutlet
Grill, pan fry
Backstrap
Breast Grill
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Breast
Leg Roast
Whole Roast
Duck
Breast Roast, pan fry, grill
Portion control
Remember to practise good portion control throughout the food
preparation process including:
Standard recipes
Consistent food preparation techniques
Standardised serving processes.
Baking
There are many potential problems with baking as unlike many of the other methods of
cookery recipes for pastries, cakes, desserts and yeast goods require precise ratios of
specific ingredients to be successful. Incorrectly selected or measured ingredients can
lead to tough, chewy, shrunk and unset baked goods. The technique used to make many
baked goods is also very important as over or under mixing or whipping, folding and
resting times all contribute to the quality of end products. Always follow recipes for baked
goods with care and ask questions if you are unsure.
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Problem Effect
Problem Effect
Grilling
Problem Effect
Shallow frying
Problem Effect
Deep frying
Problem Effect
Microwaving
Problem Causes
Overcooked
Products are dried out
Wrong setting used
Moisture needed to be added
Not stirred enough during cooking
Sauces are lumpy
process
Standard recipes
Take care to update the standard recipes that you are using as you
go, noting any amendments you have made to:
Ingredients
Quantities
Methods of preparation
Methods of cookery
Timing.
Continuous improvement
There is a lot to learn in commercial food preparation. Take the time to develop and hone
the basic cooking skills that will underpin your career. And keep adding to your recipe
resource.
Table d'hôte Most commonly used for functions. Ease of service is important when
serving large numbers of meals in a short period. Roasted large joints
(Set menu)
of meat are used as are individually roasted cuts of chicken beef and
lamb which can be sealed and laid out on trays in advance ready for
roasting.
À la carte All dry cooking methods can be used in the à la carte service style as
small numbers of each item are prepared and served at a time.
Buffet Ease of service is important with the menu items on a buffet as the
food is generally served directly to the customer. Roasted large joints
of meat and whole poultry are impressive when carved directly to the
customer.
Deep fried and baked items are commonly used cocktail foods because
Cocktail
they are crisp and convenient for customers to pick up in their
fingers.
You can apply your knowledge and skills in carrying out the correct procedures of the dry
cookery methods by practising in a range of different service situations. What are the key
points that you would need to follow to achieve quality end products in each of the
following situations:
Dishes cooked by the dry methods of cookery must be finished and presented in a skilled
manner. You will need to use sauces, accompaniments and garnishes to achieve this.
Finishing methods include consistency and proficiency in:
Plate and crockery selection
Portioning
Plating:
Shape and height enhance the look of dishes
Saucing or dressing
Accompaniment choice
Garnishing.
What finishing methods would you apply to the following dishes?
Apple Fritters
Apple crumble
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Cooking Times
Generally you can divide the cooking times for foods using the dry methods of cookery
into those shown in the following table:
Fast Slow
Grilling Baking
Learning to judge how long menu items will take to cook in both the mise-en-place and
service phases of food production is a fundamental skill you will need to learn. This will
allow you to sequence your daily tasks and work efficiently. Achieving this during service
periods will take practise which is why many training cooks start in the Cold Larder
sections of the kitchen where there is a little less preciseness required as the immediacy
of serving hot foods is not a factor.
When you are familiar with the cooking times for items you will be able to respond more to
problems where you may need to prepare an alternative item quickly. You can also
provide suggestions for options for customers who may be in a hurry or wanting a specific
item.
Storage capacity
Being able to store all the menu items that are prepared in a commercial kitchen
appropriately between and during service periods is vital for quality and food safety.
Consider what equipment is needed for storing the
following ready for service:
20 whole roasted chickens
5 kg of deep fried beer battered prawns.
Cooking systems
As discussed in the section on wet cookery methods the most common system of
preparing foods is traditional cook and serve. And there are alternative cooking systems
that are used in commercial kitchens such as cook/chill, cook/freeze and sous vide.
In general the alternative cooking systems are used mainly for the wet methods of
cookery such as boiling, braising and stewing as products made using these methods are
more appropriate to reheat.
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Communication
Keeping in mind that you are working in a service industry will help you to use the
communication required to meet the needs of the customers. For example:
Communicating effectively during mise-en-place to ensure
the kitchen team prepares all the components of a menu
ready for service
Communicating appropriately during service to coordinate
the dishes so that the customers receive their meals as
desired
When you are training always make sure you ask for help
when you require it.
Good communication includes listening, speaking and body
language. Practising your communication skills will assist you
to work as a productive team with your colleagues and assist
in building the workplace as an enjoyable environment.
Pre-service briefing
The pre-service briefing ensures the front of house staff are
aware of any factors which could impact on service, these
include:
Portion numbers
Cooking times
Dishes for special dietary needs
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Service styles.
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Cooking timelines
The amount of time needed to cook or heat dishes during service needs to be
communicated to the service staff during the pre-service briefing. Some dishes can be
served quickly and others take more time.
Portion quantities
The portion quantities that are prepared for each of the items
on a menu are usually based on a sales analysis from data
collected over previous service periods. In an à la carte style
of service this data is used by the chef to forecast the
popularity of menu items and prepare the number of portions
accordingly.
It is important to be aware of where there may be flexibility to offer additional serves of
some menu items in urgent situations when the allocated portions have been exhausted.
The most likely options of menu items which could be prepared quickly using dry cooking
methods include:
Grilled meats, poultry and seafood
Deep fried seafood.
All this information needs to be communicated to the service staff during the pre-service
briefing.
Cardiovascular
Coeliac disease Lactose Intolerance Diabetes
diseases
Roasted, deep and Most deep fried and Milk is used in egg Sugar is used in most
shallow frying is not many shallow fried wash which is used pastries and cakes
suitable as excess items are coated with extensively on baked, baked for desserts
fat/oils are used batter, crumbs or flour shallow and deep fried
made from wheat items
which is not suitable
Service styles
The type of service style you are using may influence the preparation methods that used
and this may differ from the usual methods prepared by the establishment you work in.
All dry methods of cookery are Roasted items are most likely Roasted items are most likely
applied due to ease of service due to enhanced presentation
Element 3: Apply dry methods of cookery
Work Projects
It is a requirement of this Unit you complete Work Projects as advised by your Trainer.
You must submit documentation, suitable evidence or other relevant proof of completion
of the project to your Trainer by the agreed date.
3.1 Select an appropriate standard recipe for a dish for each of the following dry
methods of cookery:
Grilling
Baking
Roasting
Shallow frying
Deep frying.
3.2. Prepare and present each of the dishes you selected in 3.1 to your trainer for
evaluation meeting the following criteria:
3.4. Prepare, cook and serve a simple dish using a dry method of cookery in the
following situations:
3.5 Provide a written pre-service briefing document that would provide FOH with all the
information they would need for the service in regards to the dishes you have
selected and prepared in 3.1 and 3.2. Include the following information:
Summary
Appendices: Recipes
Vegetable stock
Ingredients:
1 Onion
1 Carrot
1 stalk Celery
1/2 Leek
1/2 Tomato
40 ml Vegetable oil
1 Bay leaf
Sprig Thyme
6 White peppercorns
2 lt Cold water
Method:
Ingredients:
1 Pear
1 Stock syrup
1 Cinnamon stick
300 gm A1 sugar
250ml Water
½ Lemon squeezed
1 Star anise
3 Coriander seeds
2 Cardamon
1 Bay leaf
Method:
Put the ingredients for the stock syrup in a pot, including the squeezed lemon half
Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes
Turn down to poaching temperature
Peel the pear, leaving the stalk on
Remove core and seeds using a parisienne cutter
Place the pear in the pot and cover with a cartouche
Cook pear until tender
Check by using a wooden skewer piercing through the core hole
Remove from heat and let cool in poaching liquid
Serve cold pear on a pool of syrup and garnish.
Appendices: Recipes
Stewed apple
Ingredients:
1 Apple
20 gm Butter
20 gm Sugar
Method:
Apple crumble
Ingredients:
50 gm Flour
50 gm Oats, rolled
50 gm Castor sugar
50 gm Butter
Method:
Fish in Kataifi
Ingredients:
1 Fish fillet
1 clove Garlic
½ tsp Paprika
5 gm Coriander, fresh
50 gm Clarified butter
½ Lime
Method:
Make a marinade by crushing garlic and adding the cumin, coriander seed, paprika,
lime juice, olive oil
Place fish fillet into the marinade and coat thoroughly
Lay Kataifi pastry on a bench, place fish onto pastry and roll up until fish is completely
surrounded in pastry
Place onto a baking tray and brush gently with clarified butter
Place into a pre-heated oven of 180°C, until the pastry is golden brown and the fish is
cooked through
Serve on a hot plate garnished with some fresh coriander leaves.
Appendices: Recipes
Crème caramel
Ingredients:
60 gm Sugar
45 ml Water
250 ml Milk
2 Eggs
25 gm Sugar, castor
Method:
To make a caramel, heat the sugar and 30 ml of water in a pan. Boil til the caramel
turns a golden brown colour
Remove from the heat and add another 15 ml of water, swirl the caramel in the pan to
blend together
Pour into metal dariole moulds and leave to cool
Heat milk and vanilla essence in a pan to nearly boiling
Mix eggs and sugar in a bowl, pour in hot milk and mix well
Pour over caramel and place moulds into a baking dish
Fill baking dish ½ -¾ with hot water
Cover with foil to prevent drying the top of pudding during the cooking process
Cook in a pre-heated oven, approx 160°C for approx 40 minutes until the custard has
set
Remove from the oven
Remove the dariole mould from the water and place onto tray
Place custards into refrigerator to cool, cover again to prevent contamination
The custards must be cold before turning out. Take care in turning them out so the
custard doesn’t break open. It should come out in one piece.
Points to remember:
Hot water in baking dish: If you use coldwater it will take longer for the custards to
cook
Oven temperatures will vary, they need a low oven temperature
Be careful when lifting dish with custards into and out of the oven as the water is
difficult to keep still and it will splash everywhere
Appendices: Recipes
Keep checking to see if your custards are cooked. You want the custard to ‘set’.
Check to see if the custard is set by gently moving one dariole mould. If it move like
water in centre then it is not set. If it moves as one mass then it is set
Do not allow custard to boil, the egg protein will set too firm and the water will ‘split’
away
When the custard is set it should be ‘soft and gentle’ in the mouth feel.
If the custard beaks when ‘turning out’, do not serve it.
Ingredients:
2 gm Cumin
2 gm Ginger, ground
2 gm Paprika
Method:
Wasabi butter
Ingredients:
100 gm Butter
Method:
Pot-roasted quail
Ingredients:
1 Quail
30 gm Carrot
30 gm Leek
30 gm Onion
40 gm Butter
30 ml White wine
30 ml Chicken stock
60 ml Cream
Method:
Roast carrot
Ingredients:
10 gm Oil
Method:
Method
Toss the carrot pieces in oil and seasoning
Place in a roasting tray and cook in a pre-heated oven 180°C
Continue to baste and turn the carrot while it is cooking in the oven
When carrot is cooked test for doneness with a skewer, it should offer no resistance
Drain off excess fat and serve hot.
Ingredients:
10 ml Oil
Method:
Trim the piece of sirloin and rub with oil, season, seal in a hot pan
Place the sirloin on a rack over a roasting tray and place in a pre-heated oven at
160°CCook to medium rare
Rest in a warm place, covered with foil
Pour the excess fat off the tray, deglaze with stock and reduce. Strain
Carve the meat across the grain and serve hot with the sauce.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
5 ml Oil
Seasoning
Method:
Roast beetroot
Ingredients:
1 Beetroot
20 ml Oil
Method:
Roast pumpkin
Ingredients:
10 ml Oil
Method:
Roast potato
Ingredients:
20 ml Oil
Method:
Apple fritters
Ingredients:
100 gm Flour
1 Egg
5 gm Yeast
10 ml Oil
1 Apple
10 ml Lemon juice
10 gm A1 sugar
pinch Salt
pinch Cinnamon
Method:
Roast capsicum
Ingredients:
1 Capsicum
20 ml Oil
Method:
Ingredients:
30 gm Butter
40 gm Sultanas
20 ml Rum, dark
Custard
250 ml Milk
2 Eggs
30 gm Castor sugar
5 ml Vanilla essence
30 gm Sugar, brown
Method:
Macerate sultanas in rum by warming together in microwave for 30 seconds and let
stand until cool
Butter the bread and cut to fit container, usually in triangles, sprinkle sultanas in
between not on top
Make the custard
Place eggs and sugar in stainless steel bowl and whisk together
Heat milk and pour over egg mix and whisk together
Add vanilla essence and strain mix to remove lumps of albumin
Pour custard over bread in container, allow to stand to absorb liquid for 10 minutes
Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over top
Place into baking dish and half fill with hot water
Place into oven and bake until set at 165°C to 170°C.
Appendices: Recipes
Pommes Lyonnaise
Ingredients:
150 gm Potato
15 gm Onion
5 Butter
20 ml Oil
Method:
Boil potatoes in their jackets until just cooked, refresh and cool
Slice onions into julienne and sauté in a small amount of oil and butter until soft and
golden brown
Peel potatoes and slice about 5 mm thick. Fry in the butter and oil until golden brown,
take care not to break the potato discs
Once golden brown mix potato and onions together with chopped parsley and serve
hot on a warm plate.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
20 gm Carrot
20 gm Onion
20 gm Leek
20 gm Butter, melted
Method:
Sauté julienne of vegetables in butter and season. Take them out on paper towel to
absorb extra moisture
Brush pastry with melted butter. Wrap fish and vegetables in pastry and brush with
butter outside
Bake in a hot oven at 200ºC until golden brown
Note: Do not seal the fish before wrapping.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
¼ Egg
10 gm Flour
Method:
Ingredients:
Method:
Ingredients:
1 tsp Oil
1 tsp Cornstarch
4 tsp Oil
to taste Salt
Method:
Ingredients:
1 Spring onions
1/5 Capsicum
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Sugar
Method:
Wash and prepare vegetables (make sure they are all even in size, not too small
Add a small amount of oil to a pot of boiling water and blanch carrots, broccoli,
cauliflower and corn. Drain well
Mix stock, salt, sugar, say sauce and oyster sauce and set aside
Mix corn flour with a small amount of cold water to make a slurry
Heat wok until it starts to smoke, add oil and onions and toss
Add blanched vegetables and stir fry for approx 30 seconds
Add enough stock mixture to coat vegetables and stir fry for another 30 seconds
lightly thicken sauce with corn starch slurry
Add spring onions and toss through
Serve neatly presented on a hot plate
Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and add spring onions and stir for 5 seconds on high
heat and garnish.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
1 Egg, beaten
to dust Flour
to fry Oil
1 Tomato
20 gm Onion
1 clove Garlic
Method:
Beer batter
Ingredients:
100 gm Flour
190 ml Beer
1 pinch Salt
Method:
Chicken à la King
Ingredients:
100 gm Mirepoix
1 sprig Thyme
100 gm Butter
50 gm Flour
50 ml Cream
Method:
Ingredients:
20 ml White wine
50 ml Chicken stock
60 ml Cream
Method:
Grilled mushrooms
Ingredients:
10 gm Garlic
25 gm Butter mushroom
Method:
Rub mushroom with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt, remove stalk gently
Crush garlic and mix in with butter
Place mushroom on a grill tray with underside frills facing up
Place garlic butter on mushroom
Place under a pre-heated salamander and cook until mushroom is soft and tender
Serve immediately on a warm plate.
Appendices: Recipes
Chicken Holstein
Ingredients:
25 gm Butter, clarified
50 ml Oil
1 Egg
4 Capers
Method:
Clean, trim and flatten chicken breast to an even thickness as necessary, then crumb
Heat oil in a frying pan
Fry chicken golden brown, turning once only
Allow enough oil up to ½ the depth of the schnitzel
Heat 10 g of clarified butter in a clean fry pan and fry the egg, taking care not to break
the yolk
To serve place escalope on a hot plate
Place fried egg on top of the chicken, garnish with 2 julienne strips of anchovy fillet
with capers.
Appendices: Recipes
Chicken schnitzel
Ingredients:
25 gm Butter, clarified
5 ml Oil
Method:
Grilled vegetables
Ingredients:
10 ml Olive oil
Method:
Marinated eggplant
Ingredients:
½ Eggplant (medium)
20 ml Balsamic vinegar
Method:
Ingredients:
20 gm Ginger, julienne
20 ml Fish sauce
Method:
Pommes gratinee
Ingredients:
1 Large potato
10 gm Butter
15 gm Onions
15 gm Bacon
Method:
Bake potato in oven at 180°C until soft (about 1 hour depending on the size of potato)
Sauté brunoise of onion and brunoise of bacon until light brown colour
Cut a lid out of the bake potato and scoop out flesh and mash the flesh. Mix with onion
and bacon. Season with salt and pepper
Place this mixture back into the potato shell and sprinkle cheese over it and gratinate
under salamander or hot oven
Garnish with chopped spring onion.
Appendices: Recipes
Yorkshire pudding
Ingredients:
80 ml Dripping
125 ml Milk
1 Egg
125 gm Four
pinch Salt
Method:
Roast chicken
Ingredients:
60 ml Oil
100 gm Mirepoix
Method:
Ratatouille
Ingredients:
50 gm Onion
50 gm Zucchini
50 gm Eggplant
20 ml Vegetable oil
1 Tomato concasse
Method:
Note: When you overcook the vegetables, they will lose colour and shape.
Appendices: Recipes
Crumbed eggplant
Ingredients:
½ Medium eggplant
1 Crumbing set
50 ml Oil
50 ml Clarified butter
Method:
Ingredients:
1 Osso Bucco
30 ml Oil
1 clove Garlic
20 gm Tomato paste
50 ml Red wine
Method:
Rice pilaf
Ingredients:
30 ml Vegetable oil
½ Bay leaf
20 gm Butter
Method:
Ingredients:
20 gm Butter
20 gm Bacon, batons
50 ml White stock
Method:
Boiled potatoes
Ingredients:
2 Turned potatoes
Method:
Place potatoes in a pot cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt
Bring to the boil and simmer for approx 20 minutes
Check with a wooden skewer, there should be no resistance.
Appendices: Recipes
Blanquette of veal
Ingredients:
1 Studded onion
50 gm Carrots, chopped
25 gm Butter
25 gm Flour
25 ml Cream
Method:
Put the veal in a pot cover with cold water, blanch and refresh under hot water to
remove fat
Place the veal in a clean pot, add enough stock so the meat is just covered, bring to
the boil, skim
Add studded onion and carrot, simmer until tender 45 – 60 minutes
Make a fawn roux with the butter and flour
Strain the stock off the meat and reserve the stock and meat separately, discard the
carrot and onion
Add the reserved stock to make a veloute, simmer for 20 minutes
Season the veloute, add the cream and adjust the consistency to coating
Add the meat and reheat. Serve hot and garnished.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
10 ml Oil
10 ml Raspberry vinegar
40 ml Red wine
1 Bay leaf
2 Cloves
10 gm Sugar
2tbs water
Method:
Ingredients:
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a pot except basil leaves and bring to a simmer
Cook until chicken is tender. Approx. 25-30 mins
Adjust seasoning and stir the basil leaves into mixture
Serve on a warm plate.
Appendices: Recipes
Pommes fondant
Ingredients:
1 Large Potato
50 ml White wine
50 ml Chicken stock
10 gm Butter
Method:
Ingredients:
Method:
Ingredients:
5 ml Soy sauce
5 ml Sesame oil
Method:
Ingredients:
Method:
Prepare steamer
Turn vegetable
Place into preheated steamer, steam until tender but still retaining bright colour
Once cooked, remove and season with salt and pepper.
Place on a warm plate and serve immediately.
Appendices: Recipes
Ingredients:
50 gm Unsalted butter
50 gm Castor sugar
1 Egg
75 gm Flour
25 ml Milk
1 pinch Salt
Method:
Place whole eggs into a bowl of warm water to reach room temperature
Sift the flour and baking powder together
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
Add ½ of the flour and baking powder mixture
Add the egg gradually, beating well, taking care not to split the mixture
Add the rest of the flour
Add the milk and fold into the mixture. Be careful not to lose volume
If using metal moulds butter and sugar the moulds. If using plastic moulds you do not
need to grease them
Fill the moulds to ¾ full, cover the moulds with greased grease proof paper, then foil
Place in a pre-heated steamer and cook for 35-40 minutes. To check if they are
cooked, insert a skewer into the middle, it should come out clean
Rest the cooked puddings for a few minutes before turning them out.
Appendices: Recipes
Poached eggs
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
Water
Method:
Heat water and vinegar in a deep pot until bubbles are forming on the bottom, but not
breaking the surface (the temperature is vital)
Crack each egg into a small cup and gently pour into the liquid
As the egg falls through the water it should set into an egg shape and then float to the
surface when the white is set
Cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny approx 2½ - 3 minutes according
to size
Remove with a slotted spoon, drain and trim whites before serving
Alternatively store in cold water and then reheat in hot water.
Berry compote
Ingredients:
200 ml Water
100 gm Sugar
Method:
Make a sugar syrup by simmering the water and sugar together for 5 minutes
Add the fruit and remove from heat
Gently turn the fruit over with a metal kitchen spoon and leave to cool
Serve as an accompaniment for a dessert or as part of a breakfast menu.
Note: You can add other flavourings to the sugar syrup such as vanilla bean or lemon
zest.
Appendices: Recipes
Microwave broccoli
Ingredients:
1 portion Broccoli
15 ml Water
Method:
Place broccoli and water in a microwave safe dish and cover with cling wrap
Cook in the microwave on high for approx 40 – 50 seconds
Let it stand for a couple of minutes check, if it needs more put in for extra time
Allow for carry over cooking, drain and serve hot.
Appendices: Recipes
Presentation of written work
2. Style
Students should write in a style that is simple and concise. Short sentences
and paragraphs are easier to read and understand. It helps to write a plan
and at least one draft of the written work so that the final product will be
well organized. The points presented will then follow a logical sequence
and be relevant. Students should frequently refer to the question asked, to
keep ‘on track’. Teachers recognize and are critical of work that does not
answer the question, or is ‘padded’ with irrelevant material. In summary,
remember to:
Plan ahead
Be clear and concise
Answer the question
Proofread the final draft.
Format
All written work should be presented on A4 paper, single-sided with a left-hand margin. If
work is word-processed, one-and-a-half or double spacing should be used. Handwritten
work must be legible and should also be well spaced to allow for ease of reading. New
paragraphs should not be indented but should be separated by a space. Pages must be
numbered. If headings are also to be numbered, students should use a logical and
sequential system of numbering.
Presentation of written work
Cover Sheet
All written work should be submitted with a cover sheet stapled to the front that contains:
The student’s name and student number
The name of the class/unit
The due date of the work
The title of the work
The teacher’s name
A signed declaration that the work does not involve plagiarism.
Keeping a Copy
Students must keep a copy of the written work in case it is lost. This rarely happens but it
can be disastrous if a copy has not been kept.
Inclusive language
This means language that includes every section of the population. For instance, if a
student were to write ‘A nurse is responsible for the patients in her care at all times’ it
would be implying that all nurses are female and would be excluding male nurses.
Examples of appropriate language are shown on the right:
Mankind Humankind
Host/hostess Host
Recommended reading
Bailey, Adrian & Ortiz, Elisabeth Lambert, 1915-2003 & Dowell, Philip & Radecka,
Helena, 1939- 1980, The book of ingredients, Michael Joseph, London
Bittman.M; 2012; How to Cook Everything The Basics: All You Need to Make Great Food;
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Cersani, Kinton & Foskett; 1995 (8th edition), Practical Cookery; Hodder and Stoughton
B001KDSJH2 1861528736
Cracknell.H,
Kaufmann.R; 2009 (3rd edition); Practical Professional Cookery; Cengage Learning
Dark .Graham, McLean. Deirdre & Weatherhead. Sarah; 2011 (2nd edition); Kitchen
Operations 2nd Ed, Pearson Australia
Dodgshun. Graham,Peters.M; 2012 (6th edition);Cookery for the Hospitality Industry;
Cambridge University Press
Draz, John & Koetke, Christopher 2014, The culinary professional, Second edition, Tinley
Park, Illinois The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc
Ford, J., Zelman, M., Hunter, G., Tinton, T., Carey, P., Walpole, S. and Rippington, N;
2010; Professional Chef; Cengage Learning
Graham Dark, Deirdre McLean & Sarah Weatherhead 2011; Kitchen Operations 2nd Ed;
Published by Pearson Australia
H.L. Cracknell & R.J. Kaufman, Revised Third Edition, 1999; Practical Professional
Cookery; Published by The Macmillan Press Ltd, UK
Harold Magee, 2004; Magee on Food and Cooking; Published by Hodder and Stoughton,
United Kingdom
McGee. H; 2004; McGee on food and cooking: an encyclopedia of kitchen science,
history and culture; Hodder & Stoughton
McLean.D,Satori.l, Walsh C&S; 2004;The Professional Cook’s book: Commercial
Cookery; Tertiary Press
Shirley Cameron, Suzanne Russell; Cookery the Australian Way, 7th ed. 2006; Macmillan
Education Australia
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA); 2011 (9th edition); The Professional Chef; Wiley
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA); 2014 (4th edition); Techniques of Healthy Cooking;
Wiley
Recommended reading
Trainee evaluation sheet
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Trainee Self-Assessment Checklist
Yes No*
Statement by Trainee:
I believe I am ready to be assessed on the following as indicated above:
Signed: _____________________________ Date: ______ / ______ / ______
Note:
For all boxes where a No* is ticked, please provide details of the extra steps or work you need to do
to become ready for assessment.