Ways of preparing food

Ways of preparing food

Aging
A process in which meat is tenderised by keeping it a t temperatures of between 0 deg C and 20 deg C for a period of time. This allows enzymes to break down it's tough connective tissues.

Bouquet Garni
A small bundle of herbs, usually comprising bay leaf, parsley and thyme, used to enhance the flavour of a soup or stew.

Butterfly
To slit a piece of food in half horizontally, cutting it almost through, so that it resembles butterful wings when opened up. Chops, large prawns and fish fillets are often done this way so that they cook more quickly.

Reduction
To cook over very high heat, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced by evaporation. This will enhance the flavour of the food.

Steps on wrapping a rice dumpling

Read more about bak chang

Substitutions

If you're short on ingredients, try these substitutions before running to the store:

1 tablespoon cornstarch = 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or 2 teaspoons arrowroot

1 teaspoon baking powder = 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup butter = 1 cup margarine OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar or
lemon juice plus enough plain milk to equal one full cup measure

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour = 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons unsifted all-purpose flour

1 cup whole milk = 1 cup skim milk plus 2 tablespoons butter

1 cup tomato juice = 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water

Vanilla Extract - If you run out of vanilla extract or flavoring, you can substitute maple syrup, teaspoon for teaspoon.

To make cake rise

DO
Remember the cake-making is a precise science. No agak-agak if you want to avoid disappointment.
Follow recipes closely.
Use baking tins of the correct size to ensure even cooking. For sponge cakes, the nine-inch cake tin is recommended for best results.
Do keep to simple equipment. All you need for lovely cakes is a mixer.

DON'T
Open the oven door during the first 20 minutes of baking.
Overmix.
Overbeat egg whites.
Be disheartened if your cakes don't always turn out perfect.

Shopping Suggestions

Even if you are not planning to entertain, keep your larder stocked with:

Staples like rice, noodles, spaghetti and bread.
Life-saving tinned goods like soup, mushroom, tomato, young corn, peas, fruits, sardines.
Dried goods including dried mushrooms, wood ear fungus, red dates, dried shrimps, ikan bilis (anchovies), Chinese sausage, dried chesnuts, lentils, preserved vegetables and dried chillies.
Perishables like onion, shallot, garlic, carrot, turnip, potato, eggs, fresh fruit
Frozen meat - always come in handy.
Seasoning, garnish, sauces and of course beverages like coffee and tea.