Bacon And Chicken Pate

Bacon and chicken Pate is a mixture of minced and lean meat mixed with fat.It tastes best when it is spread on slices and served to the guests in a garnished plate and it is served as an appetizer.

Chicken And Bacon Pate
Chicken And Bacon Pate

Bacon And Chicken Pate

Cooking time

1 ½ hours

Serves

8

Ingredients To Prepare Chicken Pate

(1) Bacon rashers (slices)   225 g/8 oz  or   1/2 lb in American

(2) Raw chicken ,thinly sliced  350 g/12 oz Or 3/4 lb in American

(3) Butter 50 g/2 oz  or  1/4 cup in American

(4) Medium onions chopped  1 or 1 in American

(5) Garlic cloves crushed 1-2  or 1-2 in American

(6) Lambs Liver sliced 350 g/12 oz or 3/4 lb in American

(7) Salt and pepper to taste or to taste in American

(8) Mustard powder 1/2 teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon in American

(9) Chopped thyme 1/2 teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon in American

(10) Double heavy cream 2 tbsp or 3 tbsp in American

(11) Eggs 2 or 2 in American

(12) Stuffed olives ,sliced 100 g/4 oz or 3/4 cup in American

(13) To garnish:

Chicken stock   225 ml/8 fl oz or 1 cup in American

(14) Gelatin 7 g/¼ oz or 1 in American

(15) Dry sherry or coconut cream 2 tbsp or 3 tbsp in American

(16) Sage sprig or sprig in American

Method

De rind the bacon discard the rinds and cut the bacon into pieces the size of matchsticks.Cut the sliced chicken in matchstick pieces,too.Heat the butter in a large frying pan (skillet), fry the onion .garlic and liver for 5 minutes.Put this mixture through a mincer (grinder) or chop finely in a food processor. Blend the liver mixture with the bacon and chicken.Add salt pepper mustard , herbs,cream and eggs.Mix thoroughly then add the slices olives; turn these carefully in the bacon and chicken mixture. Spoon into the terrine or 900 g/2 lb ovenproof dish,smooth flat on top.Cover with a lid or buttered foil.Stand the dish into the bain marie (tin of cold water)and bake in the center of a very moderate ,oven ,160°C/325°F Gas mark 3,for 1¼  hours.Remove the lid or foil and place grease proof (waxed) paper and a light weight on top of the mixture.Allow to cool remove any excess fat from the top of the pate .Heat half the chicken stock in a saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin on top and stir to dissolve.Add the remaining cold stock and the sherry or coconut cream.Allow this jellied mixture to cool until it is the consistency of a thin syrup, then spoon over the pate.Arrange the sage leaves on the half set coating.Leave until firm.Serve with hot toast.This pate should be eaten within 48 hours of cooking.It can be frozen up to 1 month.

Hungarian Veal Goulash

Hungarian Veal Goulash is a delicious stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with spices.It is predominantly eaten in central Europe and other parts of Europe and it is national dish of Hungry

Hungarian Veal Goulash
Hungarian Veal Goulash

Scale

lb=pound  pt=pint=16 ounce     oz=1 ounce   gallons= 3.78 litres  qt = 32 ounce

Step One To Prepare Hungarian Veal Goulash

YIELD: 50 portions     EACH PORTION : ABOUT 4 oz . veal

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Veal boneless trimmed, cut ( 1 inch cubes)
17 lb
Salad oil
1 pt
Onions , small dice 
6 lb
 

Method

1. Saute meat in hot oil and braise with onions.Reduce liquid to ¹/³.

Step Two To Prepare Hungarian Veal Goulash

Ingredients

(1) 17 lb veal boneless trimmed,cut in (1 inches in cubes)

(2) 1 pt salad oil

(3) 6 lb onions small diced

Method

2 . Add paprika; stir; then add flour. Cook 5 minutes blending well.Add sachet bag ,brown stock and tomato puree.Bring to a boil.Cover and braise at 350°F. in oven about 1 hour or until tender.

Step Three To Prepare Hungarian Veal Goulash

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Salt
to taste 
Pepper
to taste
Sour cream 
1 qt

Method

3 . Remove cooked meat.Adjust seasoning and hold for service.Sour cream may be served on the side as an optional accompaniment. Spaetzli is usually served with goulash.

Brown Stock

Basic Brown Stock
Basic Brown Stock

Scale

YIELD : about 4½ gallon

Step One To Prepare Brown Stock

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Beef Bones
25 lb
 
 
 

Method

Review preparation of stock.Cut bones with meat saw.Place the bones in large roasting pan and brown in preheated oven at 375°F.Turn bones occasionally to brown uniformly. Remove bones from pan and place in stock pot

Step Two To Prepare Brown Stock

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Water to cover 
About 6
gallons

Method

Drain fat from pan and reserve. Deglaze roast pan with part of water to dissolve crusting Cover bones with cool water and deglazing liquor and bring to a boil.. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours.

Step Three To Prepare Brown Stock

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Mirepoix:  
 
Onions
2 lb
Celery
1 lb
Carrots
Tomatoes 
canned
½ NO 10
can
Bay leaves
3
Thyme
1 tsp
Peppercorns 
crushed
1 tsp
Cloves,whole
Parsley stems
6
 
 
 

Method

Saute vegetables for mirepoix in reserved fat until brown.Add mirepoix ,tomatoes,spices,herbs to stock Simmer for an additional 3 hours Strain through china cap and cheesecloth.Vent and cool.Refrigerate.Use as required

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Baked stuffed pork chops is a dish made from pork loin and is taken perpendicular to the spine of the pig.

Pork chops are very much famous all around the world and in the United States of America almost 10% of the overall pork consumption is pork chops.

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops
Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Scale

oz=1 ounce gallon=3.78 litres qt=32 ounce

YIELD: 50 portions EACH PORTION: 6 oz, chop

Recipe

Step One To Prepare Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Pork chops50 (6 oz)

Method

1. With a boning knife , cut pockets in chops.

Step Two To Prepare Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Corn stuffing:
Whole kernel 
corn

Basic bread
stuffing (see recipe
below this recipe)

Oil


1 No 303
can


2½ qt


for chops



 

Method

2. Drain corn and combine with basic stuffing

3. “Using pastry bag and large round tube ,squeeze corn stuffing into pocket of each 
chop.Fasten opening in chop with toothpick.

4 .Place chops in lightly greased roast pan.You will need 2 pans for 50 portions.Brush 
tops of chops with oil,broil to brown and bake in 375°F. oven for ½ hour.Small amount
of stock may be added during baking to prevent drying.
 

Step Three To Prepare Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Brown sauce ( see  
recipe below)
 
1 gallon 


Method

5. Remove cooked chops from oven and deglaze roast pan.Strain deglazing liquid into hot brow sauce and bring to boil.

6. Serve 2 oz ladle of sauce over each chop for a single portion.

                                   Basic Bread Stuffing

Scale

lb= pound oz=1 ounce

YIELD: 50 portions EACH PORTION : 3 oz

Recipe

Step One To Prepare Basic Bread Stuffing

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Bread, 2 to 4 days
old
6 LB

Method

1. Trim bread removing crusts ; cut in cubes.Soak in cold water and drain it.

Step Two To Prepare Basic Bread Stuffing

Ingredients 

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Celery chopped  

Onions chopped

Butter
Or salad oil
Or bacon fat
1 lb 

3 lb

12 oz
 

Method

2. Saute celery and onions in fat until tender.

Step Three To Prepare Basic Bread Stuffing

Ingredients 

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Poultry 
seasoning 

Salt

Sage

Parsley,
Chopped 


¾ oz 


1½ oz

¾ oz

1½ oz


 

Method 

3. Combine vegetables seasonings and bread and toss lightly to blend

4. Place in greased baking pan and cover with greased paper.Bake at 350°F to 375°F 
for 1 hour

Brown Sauce

Brown Sauce
Brown Sauce

Recipe

YIELD: 5 qt

Scale

lb=pound oz=1 ounce qt=32 ounce pt=16 ounce

Step One To Prepare The Brown Sauce

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Onions medium 
dice  

Celery medium
dice

Carrots medium
dice

Butter or margarine
or other fat agent

Bread flour
 

1 lb


½  lb


½  lb


10 oz


10 oz

Method

1. Saute all vegetables in butter or fat in heavy sauce pot until onions are transparent.

2. Add flour and cook for 10 minutes
 

Step Two To Prepare The Brown Sauce

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Brown stock
hot(see  
recipe below)

Tomato puree

Bay leaf ,whole

salt

Pepper
 
5 qt



8 oz

1

to taste

to taste

Method


3. Add hot brown stock and tomato puree stirring until slightly thickened and smooth.

4. Add bay leaf salt and pepper and cook for 1 ½ hours .

5. Adjust flavor and consistency.

6. Strain and hold for service.

Brown Stock

Basic Brown Stock
Basic Brown Stock

Recipe

Step One To Prepare The Brown Stock

Ingredients

Scale gallon=3.78 litres

YIELD: about 4½ gallons

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Beef Bones25 lb

Method

1. Review preparation of stock.Cut bones with meat saw.

2. Place the bones in a large roasting pan and brown in preheated oven at 375°F.

3 .Turn bones occasionally to brown uniformly.

4. Remove bones from pan and place in stock pot.

Step Two To Prepare The Brown Stock

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
QUANTITY
Water to cover25 lb

Method

5. Drain fat from pan and reserve.

6. Deglaze roast pan with part of water  to dissolve crusting.

7. Cover bones with cool water and deglazing liquor and bring to a boil.

8. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours.

Step Three To Prepare The Brown Stock

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Mirepoix  
Onions
 
Celery

Carrots

Tomatoes 
canned

Bay leaves

Thyme

Peppercorns, 
crushed

Cloves whole

Parsley stems


2 lb 

1 lb 

1 lb

½ NO 10 can 


3

1 tsp

1 tsp


6

 

Method


9. Saute vegetables for mirepoix in reserved fat until browned.

10. Add mirepoix , tomatoes , spices,herbs to stock.

11. Simmer for an additional 3 hours.

12. Strain through china cap and cheese cloth.

13. Vent and cool.Refrigerate and use as required.

Shish Kebab

Introduction

Shish kebab is a delicious dish of skewered and grilled cubes of meat.It is similar to Shashlik and has originated from Caucasus region.It comprises of lamb meat and have an excellent flavour that appeals to the taste buds.These kebabs are full of nutrition and can be made on special occasions and the method to prepare these kebabs is easy.

I have divided the preparation of this dish in steps to make it easy for our viewers to understand the cooking methods and techniques

Shish Kebab
Shish Kebab

Step One To Prepare Shish Kebab

Ingredients

Scale: pt=16 ounce oz=1 ounce tbsp=table spoon tsp=teaspoon

lb=pound or 16 ounce

YIELD: 20 portions Each portion: 1 skewer

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Marinade
Salad oil

Olive oil

Vinegar

Lemon juice

Garlic chopped

Salt

Pepper

Marjoram

Thyme

Oregano

Lamb leg,boned(1
inch cubes)

2 pt

1 pt

12 oz

4 oz

2 tbsp

2 tbsp

2 tsp

½ tsp

½ tsp

½ tsp

5 lb

Method

1. Mix all marinade ingredients; pour over lamb and marinate several hours or overnight.

Step Two To Prepare Shish Kebab

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Mushroom caps
,large

Salad oil

40 pieces


for sauteing

Method

2. Saute mushrooms caps slightly in oil.

Step Three To Prepare Shish Kebab

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Pearl onions40 pieces

Method

Blanch onions if fresh.May use canned onions.

Step Four To Prepare Shish Kebab

Ingredients

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Green peppe
rs,large diced,
blanched

Tomatoes,fresh(¾ 
inches thick slices)

40 pieces


40 pieces

Method

4. Place ingredients on long skewer as follows: (Do not crowd on skewer) tomato,lamb,mushroom,onion,lamb ,pepper,onion lamb,pepper,mushroom ,lamb,tomato.Place in marinade until ready to broil.

5. Drain well and place under hot broiler about 10 minutes,turning as needed to cook uniformly.Do not burn.

6. Lamb should be medium unless otherwise indicated.Serve on bed of rice pilaf.

Note: Cooking methods and techniques plays a key role in the preparation of a healthy and delicious shish kebab dish.As a delicious food is liked by a majority of folks but it is also necessary that the food is prepared by techniques which make the food healthy and delicious.

Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Introduction To Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Roast lamb is a very famous and favorite dish in old countries of wales and their are different varieties of dishes prepared by roast lamb.Roast stuffed shoulder of lamb is one of the delicious and unique dish prepared by roasting and stuffing the shoulder of lamb and it is a great dish to prepare on sacred occasions.

Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb
Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Step One Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Ingredients

YIELD : 50 portions    EACH PORTION: 5 OZ.  LAMB.1 OZ,STUFFING,

2 OZ.GRAVY

Basic bread stuffing (recipe is given below) 1/3 recipe.

Lamb shoulders 25 lb boned trimmed of excess fat.

Method


1. Divide stuffing equally among lamb shoulders and roll mixture inside each shoulder
.Tie securely with butchers twine.

Step Two To Prepare Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Ingredients

(1) Oil  4 oz

(2) Salt to taste

(3) Pepper to taste

(4) Rosemary  2 tsp

Method

2. Place lamb in greased roasting pan ;rub outside of each shoulder with oil, salt,pepper,rosemary.Roast is preheated 350°F.oven for about 2½ hours.

Step Three To Prepare Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Mirepoix

(1) onions coarsely chopped  1 lb

(2) Celery coarsely chopped 1/2 lb

(3) Carrots coarsely chopped  1/2 lb

Method


3. At end of 1 hr., turn lamb on opposite side and add mirepoix.

4. When done remove meat from pan. Cover with clean dump towel ; hold in warm 
place.

Step Four To Prepare Roast Stuffed Shoulder Of Lamb

Method


5. Pour about 10 oz.oil and fat from roast pan into a sauce pan and add flour to make 
roux.

6. Place pan in which meat was roasted on range and add stock.Scrape bottom of pan and to loosen little brown particles known as fond. Simmer until vegetables are tender.Strain.

7. Place pan in which meat was roasted on range and add stock Scrape bottom of pan
to add little brown particles known as fond Simmer until vegetables are tender.Strain.

8. Add strained stock to cooked roux.Stirring until thickened and smooth.Strain again through fine china cap, adjust seasoning and hold for service.

9. Slice across grain, so that stuffing shows in center of each slice.Serve with 2 oz
gravy.

Basic Bread Stuffing Recipe

Scale:     lb=pound  oz=1 ounce

YIELD: 50 portions                      EACH PORTION:   3 oz  

Step One Method To Prepare Bread Stuffing

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Bread, 2 to 4 
days old
6 lb

Method


1.Trim bread; removing crusts and cut it in cubes.Soak it in cold water and then drain it.

Step Two To Prepare Bread Stuffing

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY
Celery chopped

Onions chopped

Butter
or salad oil
or bacon fat
1 lb

3 lb

12 oz


Method

2. Saute celery and onions in fat until tender.

Step Three To Prepare Bread Stuffing

INGREDIENTSQUANTITY

Poultry seasoning 

Salt

Sage

Parsley chopped
 

¾ oz

1½ oz

¾ oz

1½ oz
 

Method


3. Combine vegetables, seasoning and bread and toss lightly to blend.

4. Place in greased baking pan and cover with greased paper Bake at 350°F to 375°F.For 1 hour.

Techniques For Meat Cookery

Techniques For meat cookery are of many kinds and many different techniques are applied for cooking of meat which are as under.

Meat Cookery Techniques
Meat Cookery Techniques

The term meat is applied to the flesh of beef ,pork,mutton and lamb.The chief nutritional significance of meat is as a source of protein.

Meat generally consist of more connective tissues than other forms of flesh that is chicken and many kinds of fish.The texture and amount of connective tissues vary between animals and even in different parts of the same animal.The connective tissues holds together and connects the muscles,fat cells and fibers and other constituents of the flesh.When this connective tissue is destroyed or weakened,the meat becomes tender.

Meat is highly perishable and requires refrigeration.Low temperatures retard to kill bacterial action and minimize spoilage meats are aged or ripened before purchase.The term ageing is applied to the changes which occurs in meats due to the action of the enzymes (body chemicals) while the meats hang in cold storage. Ageing meats improve their tenderness and flavor.

When meats are over aged or over ripened they begin to spoil and become discolored,moldy and slimy. They develop an off flavor and odor and are no longer suitable for service.

We cook meat in order to sterilize it,make it more palatable,improves its appearance and supply a valuable nutritional need.

Ways To Cook Meat

There are two basic ways to cook meat.Meat may be cooked by dry heat and by moist heat.Each of these  ways has modifications that give a variety of meat cooking procedures.

The methods of procedure to be used depends on the kind of meat;the quality and grade ;and the cut.

Under the moist heat method are (1) steaming,(2) boiling (3)poaching

Dry heat methods include (1) Roasting or baking (2) sauteing (3) Pan frying.Combinations of the two methods,dry heat and and moist heat,include (1) braising and (2)stewing the meat.

Deep fat frying is considered as a separate area however although some foods are deep fat fried from the raw stage,others are put through one or more of the previously mentioned cooking methods before they are deep fat fried.Deep fat frying is a popular way to use leftover If the leftovers are wholesome foods they may either be combined with different foods or converted to present new products.There is usually some type of breading used with fried foods that aids in sealing the product.The sealing of the product help to protect the foods from excessive grease absorption and to give it a crisp,palatable coating.

Moist Heat Combinations For Cooking Meat

In general the moist heat methods or combinations are applied to the more economical cuts of meat.These meats are tougher and requires moist heat to break down the connective tissues and make them tender.There are market tenderizing agents made from papaya juice and other ingredients containing enzymes that break down the connective tissue.These are used to a great extent in commercial feeding operations with low menu prices.While these low cost meats are satisfactory for such menus.It must be remembered that there is no substitute for quality.

Steaming Meat

steaming chicken
steaming chicken

Steaming is not used to a a great degree in meat cookery except in combination with other methods,although some steaming is done in institutional operations .In steaming a smaller amount of liquid is used than in boiling.Steaming may be done in covered pot on the range.

  Boiling Meat

boiling of meat
boiling of meat

Boiling is the moist heat methods of cookery method used extensively for less tender cuts of meat.Boiling is recognized and accepted terminology,but should be amended to mean simmering.Meat should not be boiled,but simmered to retain its full nutritive value and to keep it from getting stingy.With the exception of salted or smoked meats,most other meats should be placed in a stockpot in boiling water  (212 degree F).Cold water aids in extracting flavor and juice and is used principally in the making of stocks.

The temperature of the water or the stock will be lowered when the meat is added.When the boiling temperature is again reached,the stock should be skimmed to remove any scum and the heat reduced or the pot moved to a part of the range where it will simmer and not boil.Remember that vigorous boiling will produce cloudy stock and increase shrinkage of the meat.

If different Quality or different size cuts are cooked in the same pot,butchers twine is sometimes tied to the smaller or more tender cuts so that they may be easily checked during the cooking process and removed when cooked.

After simmered meat have become tender,it may be held on the steamable for the future service.Meat so held should either be stored in liquid or wrapped with clean wet towels so that it does not dry out in the heat of the steamable.

Meats to be served cold,such as corned beef may be cooked and pressed in a pan with a heavy weight on the top.The weight compress the meat which aids in slicing and produces greater yield.All meats excluding the poultry are sliced across the grain.

Many boiled meats because of their bland flavor are served with tangy and savory sauces to increase their palatability and make them more appetizing..The following are the examples of the meats that are at their best when broiled or simmered.

fresh brisket of beef

corned brisket of beef

Ham,cured or smoked

Short ribs of beef

Ham hocks

Fresh Spareribs

Polish sausage

Ox tongue,smoked or cured

shoulder or breast of veal

Smoked Pork Butt or picnic

Fresh shoulder of beef

Poaching

Poaching meat
Poaching meat

Poaching is simmering process that takes place in a small amount of water.The stock or water in which the poaching is done barely bubbles.This process is used primarily with specialty items and the variety meats such as sweetbreads,brains and kidneys.

In the poaching process,items are seldom cooked well done.Poaching helps them to set or hold their shape.;makes it easy to remove tough tissues or membranes.and prepares them for final cooking procedures such as sauteing or boiling.Poaching also extends keeping qualities as in variety meats which are highly perishable when raw.The poaching of kidneys also extracts the strong odor that sometimes prevails and makes them more appetizing.

Dry Heat Methods

Dry heat methods are intended for the better cuts of meat that have little connective tissues and have become readily tender when cooked.The two methods are not interchangeable as the economical cuts of the meat are never at their best when cooked by dry heat.On the other hand it is waste of money and food to cook tender cuts by any moist heat methods .The exception to this rule are extremely rare,although some of the less tender cuts,such as chuck or bot to round are often ground as (hamburger) and then cooked by the dry heat method (either grilling or broiling)

Sauteing

Sauteing
Sauteing

To saute is to fry lightly and quickly in a small amount of fat.Only tender cuts are used for this method.Its use is usually restricted to thin cuts of meat that do not require extensive cooking.The smaller and thinner the cut ,the more rapidly the searing and cooking should take place.When blood rises and appears on the surface the meat should be turned over and cooked on the other side.If the product is breaded ,it should be turned when the underside is golden brown.

The utensil used for sauteing should have a heavy bottom and be just large enough to hold the product to be cooked.

Nearly all sauteing of meat is done uncovered.

Many of the sauteed meats are served with sauces made from the crust that coat the bottom of the pan in which the meat have been cooked.The excess fat is poured off and the meats removed and held in a warm place until services.

The utensil is then deglazed by scrapping and swishing it with wine or stock with the resulting liquid or fond allowed to boil until the remaining crusts have been entirely dissolved.A prepared sauce or gravy is is sometimes added and it may be further seasoned to produce the desired flavor.The sauce which is usually of light consistency may be poured over the meat and served separately with an appropriate garnish.

examples of meats to be sauteed are;

Scalloping of veal,chausseur

Tenderloin tips,mushroom sauce

veal cutlet;milanaise

Pork tenderloin,saute normand

Pan Frying

pan frying
pan frying

Pan frying differs from sauteing principally in the amount of fat used in frying.Considerably more fat is used in frying.This prevents the formation of crusting on the bottom of the pan.

Pan frying is used extensively in cooking poultry and some fish.Products that require a longer cooking time are first browned in a pan on the top of the range until they acquire a golden brown colour and then finished with lower colour and then finished with lower heat,uncovered in a slow or moderate oven.

Roasting Or Baking

Baking Meat
Baking Meat

The term roasting was originally applied to the large pieces of meats over an open fire.The meats were spitted or held over the fire by rods inserted in the ends of the meat or entirely through the body cavity.The splits were held in place by forked sticks and turned by hand to cook the meat uniformly.

This type of cooking is now referred to as open roasting or barbecuing.Marinades or liquid in which meat is soaked prior to cooking play an important role in barbecued foods.Spicy sauces quite often accompany food prepared in this manner.

As now used, the terms roasting and baking refers to cooking uncovered in the oven with little or no added liquid.

Meat to be roasted is usually placed fat side up in a shallow roasting pan that most nearly approximates the size of the roast.The roast should not be covered .

Cooking meats at at low temperatures ;instead of high temperatures;instead of high temperatures results in ;(1) a more tender products,(2)a more flavorful and juiceful product,(3) less shrinkage (3)greater yields ,because of the ease of carving.There is less watching of the meat cooking,less cleaning afterwards,since there is no burning on the pans and equipment and less fuel is consumed when constant low temperatures are used.

The old method of starting a roast at high temperatures to sear the meat and then reducing the temperatures has been corrected.It has been found that a constant temperature produces the best product if the oven is properly preheated.

The fat content of the meat will determine whether additional fats or oils are necessary to prevent burning.Extreme lean cuts are sometimes barded or larded to permit proper cooking and to give additional flavor.(larding is insertion of strips of salt pork along the surface of the of the meat. Barding is covering lean meat with thin slices of fat bacon or salt pork.

Roasts are sometimes seasoned with spices ,herbs,salt,pepper and minute silvers of garlic.Meats are usually salted on the fat side as excess of salt tend to draw the moisture out on exposed or very lean surfaces ,making the cooked meat dry.

A mirepoix consisting of carrots ,onions and salary is usually added to meat either at the beginning or during the roasting period depending on the length of the cooking time Fresh vegetables must be used in the mirepoix to obtain good gravy. Each gravy should be derived from the meat with which it is associated.Roast beef is generally served with natural gravy called “au jus naturel”

Roasting temperatures vary from 250° F to 375 °F,although there may be exceptions, large cuts of meat such as steamship rounds varying from 50 to 70 pounds ,are roasted for longer periods at extremely low temperatures.A 50 lb steamship round may cook approximately six hours to six and a half hours at 300° F.

Meats placed in the oven fat side up are in some measures self basting or moistened by their own fat.Further occasional basting may be necessary to prevent dryness.The back or rear of the oven is usually slightly hotter than the front because there is some heat loss at the oven door.It is sometimes necessary to change the position of the meat during the roasting period to insure the uniform cooking.

Determining Doneness Of Meat

determining doneness of meat
determining doneness of meat

The degree of the doneness of the meat influences shrinkage.As the doneness is increased the shrinkage is increased by extraction of of moisture.Pork must be well done to kill the trichina parasite but unduly overcooking it results in a dried out products with a high degree of shrinkage.When cooked to the correct degree of doneness ,roasts are juicier,give more flavor and yield.

Degree of doneness may be determined by (1 )time weight ratio (2 )insertion of needles (3) Applying light pressure with the fingers (4) Meat thermometer.

In the time weight ratio,a specific number of minutes of cooking time is allowed for each pound of meat.Insertion of needles is used to test the internal temperatures of the meat by placing the withdrawn metal against the cheek or other sensitive skin area.The degree of heat transmitted from the meat to the needle aids in determining the degree of doneness.The meat should not be pierced by heavy forks or tested constantly as these procedures result in the bleeding and loss of moisture.

The meat may also be tested by applying light pressure with the fingers to the middle or largest portion of the meat.The springier or more yielding the meat,the lesser the degree of doneness.The less yielding or the firmer the flesh,the greater degree of doneness.However the texture of some meats vary.A roast may sometimes feel undercooked,although it is actually because of the peculiar quality occasionally found in the meat.The characteristics of different cuts of the meat at different times,as well as the humans trait of error,have encouraged the search for a more accurate means of determining doneness.

When properly used a meat thermometer that registers the internal temperature of the meat is the most accurate means of determining doneness.The thermometer should be inserted in the thickest portion of the meat away from bones or fat pockets with the tip penetrating just to the middle.

Broiling And Grilling

broiling and grilling of meat
broiling and grilling of meat

Broiling is a popular method of dry heat cookery which is done by dry heat ,very hot coals,such as charcoal and briquets or under gas flame or electric units .Some electric units also have heating elements on the sides.

The intense heat used in broiling forces the blood in the meat away from the source of heat.The meat should be turned during the cooking process so that both sides will be equally done.

Only tender cuts should be used for broiling .All broiling should be done to order when possible and the meat cooked to the degree of doneness specified by the guest.

For banquet of large parties meat is often broiled a few minutes ahead to facilitate service.The meat is broiled very rare and removed from the heat.It is placed in the pan and reserved until services time when it is finished in the oven or preferably under the broiler.

Care must be taken not to overcook the food in the broiler as they lose natural flavors,juices and nutritive value.The broiler should be preheated before cooking time.If using gas the broiler should be heated until the ceramics (the brick-type elements over the grill) are radiating heat.If using electricity the reflector plates should be radiating full heat.Charcoal or briquits should be burned to glowing coals.

The intense heat of the broiler rack or grill rack will help to prevent sticking.Nearness of the broiler rack or grill will help to prevent sticking .Nearness of the broiler racks to the heat determines the cooking time of the products.

The proper location of the broiler rack or grill rack will help to prevent sticking.Nearness of the broiler rack to the heat determines the cooking time of the product.Most foods are brushed with or dipped in unseasoned oil or other suitable fat before being placed on the rack.The oil prevents sticking and affords protection to the meat .It aids in retarding the dryness and cracking and help to give the surface of the products good color.

Food less than moderate fat are not desirable for broiling since they tend to dry out.When very lean foods are used,fat supplement is advisable.