Getting Started in the Kitchen

Choosing a recipe

Recipe: set of instructions for preparing a specific food Yield: number of average servings the recipe

makesAlways read through the recipe before you start

Abbreviations

t or tsp – teaspoonT or Tbsp –

TablespoonC or c – cuppt – pintqt. – quartoz or OZ – ouncelb or # - pound

min. – minute (60 seconds)

hr – hour (60 minutes)mL – milliliter L – literg – gramkg – kilogram

Cooking terms See your 6 worksheets

Using Microwave Recipes

Cooking time: microwave recipe refers to the total amount of time food is exposed to microwave energy Shorter time and in intervalsWatts: microwave cooking power, the higher the faster it

will cookDehydration: dry out - over cooking the foodStanding time: time during which foods finish cooking by

internal heat after being removed from a microwave oven Covering food

Distributes heat more evenlyHelp retain moistureSteam helps speed up cooking time and tenderize foods

Using Microwave Recipes cont.

Browning techniquesBrowning will not happen without browning agents

Evenness of cookingFood round and same size will cook evenlyTurntable helps distribute microwaves evenly to

foodHot spots: uneven distribution of microwaves

may cause some foods cooked in a microwave oven

Stir food partway Shielding - covering corners with aluminum foil

Using Microwave Recipes cont.Converting recipes for microwave use

Reduce amount of liquid by 1/3Eliminate cooking oils and fats unless they

provide flavor or consistency Half the amount of seasoningsPower level - most foods are on high

Medium-high - delicate foods (cheese, eggs, and milk products)

1/4 of the conventional cooking time

High-altitude Cooking Pressure decreasesWater boils at lower

temp therefore will require more cooking time

Water evaporates quicker

Cakes and beads tend to rise more

Measuring Ingredients Dry ingredients

Example - flourSpoon ingredient into cups

until it over flowsDo not shake or tap the cup Use straight edge spatula to

level offSifted - use the sifter before

you spoon in Brown sugar - need to be

packed, needs to keep its shape - sandcastle

Measuring Ingredients cont. Liquid ingredients

Set on flat level surfaceLook at the cup at eye level Pour liquid into cup slowly

Measuring Ingredients cont.

Fats Example - butter, Crisco Use dry measuring cups - fill with rubber

spatula , level off, use rubber spatula to remove

Water displacement method - use 1 cup of water, then fill with fat until the water level reaches the increased level that you want

Sticks - cut off the number of tablespoon of butter you need Not the most accurate

Adjusting recipes

Changing yieldMeasuring

equivalents May need to double

or cut a recipe in half

3 tsp = 1 Tbsp 4 Tbsp = ¼ c 5 1/3 Tbsp = 1/3 c 8 Tbsp = ½ c 16 Tbsp = 1 c 2 c = 1 pt 2 pt = 1 qt 4 qt = 1 gal

16 oz = 1 lb 8 fl oz = 1c 2 Tbsp = 1 fl oz

Conventional Measure

Conventional Equivalent

Approximate Metric Equivalent

¼ tsp 1 ml

½ tsp 2 ml

1 tsp 5 ml

3 tsp 1tbsp 15 ml

2 tbsp 1/8 c 30 ml

4 tbsp ¼ c 50 ml

5 1/3 tbsp 1/3 c 75 ml

8 tbsp ½ c 125 ml

10 2/3 tbsp 2/3 c 150 ml

12 tbsp ¾ c 175 ml

16 tbsp 1 c or ½ pt 250 ml

2 c 1 pt 500 ml

4 c 1qt 1 L

Ingredient substitutesMissing a recipe ingredient – use a

substituteNeed 1 tablespoon cornstarch for

thickening? Use 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.

Need 2 cups tomato juice? Use 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water.

Need 1 small onion? Use 1/8 teaspoon onion powder or 1 tablespoon dried minced onion.

Need 1 garlic clove? Use 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder.

Need 1 tablespoon fresh shipped herbs? Use 1 teaspoon dried herbs, crushed.

Need 1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate? Use 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon shortening.

Use internet for more ideas

Using a time-work schedule Time-work schedule: written plan that

list time for ding specific tasks to prepare a meal or food product

Look at your recipe and break everything up into steps

Then give each of these steps a time frameTake the time that you want your food to

be served and work backwards - look at the last step you need to do and write down the time that it needs to be started at

Using a time-work schedule cont. Dovetail: means to overlap tasks to use

your time more efficientlyHave help in the kitchen, when more

people are working more things get done