♣Foods I- Food Selection, Preparation & Cooking♣

T.L.E. 10

Food Selection - the ability to select beneficial food. Many animals are able to select the right kind of food as a result of their innate preferences. Others are able to learn rapidly what kinds of food are good for them and what bad.

Food Preparation -is the act of preparing foodstuffs for consumption. Many types of food preparation involve heating the food ingredients, however other types of preparation involve chemical, biological, or mechanical means.

☻Chemical techniques:☻

• Brining
• Ceviche
• Drying
• Fermentation
• Marinating
• Pickling
• Salting
• Smoking
• Souring
• Sprouting
• Sugaring

☻Mechanical techniques:☻

• Chopping
• Dicing
• Grinding
• Julienning
• Kneading
• Mincing
• Peeling
• Shaving
• Blending
• Basting
• Grating
• Mixing

Cooking -is the process of preparing food by applying heat. Cooks select and combine ingredients using a wide range of tools and methods. In the process, the flavor, texture, appearance, and chemical properties of the ingredients can change. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training.

☻Cooking methods☻

There are very many methods of cooking, most of which have been known since antiquity. These include baking, roasting, sauteing, stewing, frying, grilling, barbecuing, smoking, boiling, steaming and braising. A more recent innovation is microwaving. Various methods use differing levels of heat and moisture and vary in cooking time. The method chosen greatly affects the end result. Some foods are more appropriate to some methods than others.


♥Chicken Cordon Bleu♥

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices cooked ham
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 7x11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast, and secure with a toothpick.
Place in baking dish, and sprinkle chicken evenly with bread crumbs. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast.
Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks, and serve immediately.