Baking: principles, rules, and techniques

Baking is the oldest method of cooking that has not lost its popularity even today. When baking, thermal processing of food occurs over an open flame, in an oven, or in a hearth, with all parts of the dish experiencing the same temperature effect. Food is baked not only in the outdoors but also at home. Almost any product can be baked, such as meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. To ensure that the baked product is tasty, it is necessary to choose the right baking method, use appropriate utensils and other tools, and also consider the temperature regime.

Types of baking

Principles and rules of baking

Proper baking involves following established rules:

1. Products are placed in the oven only when the required temperature is established inside. This is necessary so that the juices remain inside the products and do not leak out, making the dish too dry. This rule is not followed only when cooking in ceramic pots, which must be heated gradually as they may crack due to sudden temperature changes.
2. During cooking, the oven should be opened as infrequently as possible to maintain maximum temperature inside.
3. A container of water can be placed in the oven to prevent food from burning. This trick is not used when drying, curing, or baking juicy fruits and vegetables in the oven.
4. If you are using frozen products, thaw them beforehand; otherwise, you will end up with a dish that is too watery.

Choosing bakeware

Metal cookware is excellent if high temperatures are planned for cooking. The high thermal conductivity of metal cookware makes it ideal for preparing dishes that require a crispy crust and complete, even baking, such as pizza, French fries, and cheese casseroles. Cast iron cookware is especially loved by homemakers: over time, it only improves as it absorbs oil, resulting in enhanced nonstick properties. Metal forms are not suitable if the dish needs to be kept hot for a long time without additional heating, as metal heats up quickly and cools just as fast. Metal forms are not suitable if you intend to cook an acidic dish.

Aluminum forms are available for sale, which are considered disposable. Aluminum conducts heat well, so dishes bake evenly. It is convenient to remove food from a disposable form – you just need to cut it. However, aluminum forms have serious downsides: they have to be constantly repurchased, which significantly impacts the budget, and they lack handles, making it difficult to remove the dish from the oven. Many professionals believe that because of the shiny surface, the crust forms unevenly.

Glass baking dishes are an excellent choice. Dishes cook well in them, and the transparent walls make it easy to monitor the cooking process. Glass retains heat for a long time, so the prepared dish will not cool down for a long time. You need to handle glassware with care, as it can crack with sharp temperature changes.

Ceramic forms are similar to glass in terms of performance properties, but they often differ in appearance – they have a more attractive design. You can cook festive dishes in ceramic forms to serve directly on the table.

Silicone molds are great for baking, as nothing sticks to them. They are resistant to acidic and alkaline ingredients, which metal cookware 'fears', but cannot withstand temperatures exceeding two hundred and fifty degrees. There is a serious downside that causes many housewives to refuse to use silicone: manufacturers often sell low-quality products that can release toxic substances during cooking and even can melt during preparation.

The use of food foil, parchment, and sleeves

Baking sleeves are made from heat-resistant material, which does not release any harmful substances when the permitted temperature regime is observed (220 – 230 degrees). The width of the sleeve is about thirty centimeters, and its length can be any. Ingredients are placed inside the sleeve, cut on both sides, and tightened with special clips. Several holes are made in the sleeve to let steam escape, rather than accumulate inside, inflating the sleeve to a spherical state. Ten to fifteen minutes before readiness, the sleeve is cut open to allow the dish to brown and acquire a golden crust.

Parchment is a dense paper that does not allow liquids and fats to pass through. It is breathable, allowing the ingredients to 'breathe'. Parchment paper is often used for baking. Silicone-coated parchment paper is popular. It is convenient to bake fish, meat, and vegetables on such paper. Using parchment is easy: you need to tear off a sheet of the necessary size, fold it in half, and place the ingredients in the middle. The edges of the parchment should be folded over, after which the dish can be sent to the oven. Keep in mind that the maximum permitted temperature when using parchment is two hundred degrees.

Food foil is a thin sheet of aluminum. It can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees. As a result of interaction with air, aluminum is covered with a special film that prevents it from oxidizing. Alkalis and acids dissolve this film, resulting in the release of harmful aluminum salts. To avoid an unpleasant situation, vinegar and citric acid should not be used if baking in foil is planned. The two sides of food foil have differences: one is shiny, and the other is matte. Products should be placed on the shiny side, which reflects heat well. The matte side transmits heat and warmth, so it should be on the outside. When baking in foil, complete airtightness must be ensured to keep the juices inside: for this, the product should be placed on one half of the foil, closed with the second half on top, and the edges folded several times.

How to properly bake meat?

Meat baked in the oven is an excellent dish for both festive tables and regular everyday dinners. Meat is baked whole; it can also be made into rolls. The secret to success lies in the proper selection of a quality piece of meat, the use of suitable cookware, the selection of the temperature regime and cooking time, as well as taking into account the characteristics of the specific oven. For baking, large soft pieces are chosen, but not flat ones; they should have volume. Large soft pieces that contain a bit of fat inside are best for baking. The edge of the loin muscle of a young bull, located closer to the neck, pork ham, and lamb leg are perfect for baking. The piece must be of high quality, with no films, tendons, or large amounts of fat.

Baking trays made of cast iron, which have good thermal conductivity and heat evenly, are perfect for roasting meat. The dish should be heavy with high sides ranging from three to five centimeters. The tray should match the size of the piece of meat - a large piece won't fit on a small tray, resulting in the juice spilling over the edges of the dish, while a small piece on a large tray will lose its juice, which will spread across the entire surface.

The meat needs to be prepared for the roasting process. The piece is washed and dried, and salt and spices are rubbed into the flesh. If you are going to roast a lean piece, add a bit of fat so that the meat turns out tender and does not dry out. You can wrap the piece in thin slices of lard or bacon. Dry meat can also be roasted in foil, in a special sleeve, or in grape leaves, that is, in a sealed environment where the meat will cook in its own juice.

Marinating the meat before roasting is not necessary; you can do it if you want to give the dish a certain flavor and aroma. If you still decide to use a marinade, immerse the prepared meat in it for a day.

The final result depends on the temperature you choose for roasting. If you want to get meat with a crispy crust, choose a high-temperature mode, and if your goal is to prepare tender and juicy meat, choose a low-temperature mode. Remember that the lower the temperature, the longer the meat should cook.

You can check the doneness of the piece by piercing it with a knife or a culinary needle and assessing the quality of the juice that flows out. Foggy and reddish juice indicates that the meat is not yet ready, while clear juice indicates full readiness.

How to properly roast fish?

You can roast both river and sea fish. Professionals recommend roasting fish whole, without cleaning or gutting it. This way, it will turn out juicy and tasty, as all the juices will definitely remain inside. The fish should not have holes or punctures through which the juice can escape. Before cooking, the fish should just be washed well and salted, then it needs to be placed on a baking sheet or tray and cooked for ten to thirty minutes (the specific time depends on the size of the fish). It is recommended to turn a thick carcass once. You can judge the fish’s readiness by the yellowed salt and hardened skin. After removing the product from the oven, let it cool a bit, then remove the skin and gut it.

How to properly roast vegetables and fruits?

Vegetables are roasted in their skins after being washed and cleaned of dirt. The washed vegetables are placed on a paper towel to dry. They are placed in the oven on the middle rack, laid out on a grate or tray with a small distance between them. This arrangement guarantees even baking and prevents the vegetables from sticking together. Vegetables are salted a couple of minutes before turning off the oven. The recommended temperature for roasting vegetables is two hundred degrees. A lower temperature will increase cooking time and simultaneously worsen the taste, while a higher temperature may cause burning.

During the roasting process, the vegetables need to be turned several times so that a golden crust forms on all sides. It is not advisable to pour the juice that is released over the products: this will lead to significant softening from the inside. Roasted vegetables are more flavorful than boiled ones. Each type of vegetable has its own roasting time.

You can make a wonderful dessert from fruits by roasting them. Just take pears, apples, or quinces, wash them thoroughly, cut out the core and fill the resulting space with jam or sugar. The fruits should be laid out on a sheet and then placed in the oven on the top shelf. The average roasting time is ten minutes.