Baking

Baking

Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food by dry heat acting by convection, normally in an oven, but also in hot ashes, or on hot stones. It is primarily used for the preparation of bread, cakes, pastries and pies, tarts, quiches, and cookies. Baking is also commonly used to bake vegetables and fruits such as baked potato, baked apples, and baked beans.

Baking process does not add any fat to the food, and thus, it is a healthier cooking method as compared to deep frying. And thus, people start to replace deep-frying with baking on certain food or snacks such as backed potato chips, to reduce the fat of the products.

The dry heat of baking changes the form of starches in the food and causes its outer surfaces to brown, giving it an attractive appearance and taste, while partially sealing in the food's moisture. With over time baking, the items will get dry. Thus, if certain level of moisture is needed, small amount of water or liquid needs to be placed in the bottom of a closed pan, and letting it steam up around the food. This method is called slow baking or braising. You can see this method being used for baking cheesecake.

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