Understanding the Joy of Cooking
February 14th, 2009 | by Alice Sy |People say that the surest way that a woman will get to a man’s heart is through his stomach. That is true. In the course of history, no person has ever said no to food. Cooking is a universal favorite and it has done much to human being – livelihood, entertainment, etc. Indeed, the joy of cooking is undoubtable.
Before fire was discovered by man, human beings used to eat their food raw and fresh from a catch. Over time, they have learned which food can be eaten raw without any undesired effects to the body. Aside from seafood, they have learned that fruits, vegetables and insects can be eaten raw.
Cooking also involves different techniques that range from simple food preparation to exquisite decoration in pastries, table settings, and special occasions. More and more people today find the joy of cooking, whether be it a profession or a hobby.
If you think that was creative, just imagine how creative man got upon the arrival of pottery. The joy of cooking became even more sophisticated. Different pots were made to cater to different types of cooking. Man also discovered that food cooked in several different ways, tasted differently too.
Over time, the joy of cooking became an art form, so much so that it became a profession and named it Culinary Arts. Many individuals have sought to study this profession, studied the art of cooking and came up with its different forms.
To date, there have been five identified forms of cooking, all established with the use of heat. The first form is cooking through the use of liquids. This includes poaching, stewing, and boiling. Another form is cooking with the use of fats and oil or more commonly called frying. Next is cooking through exposure to vapor such as braising and steaming. Last is cooking by exposing to dry heat such as roasting, broiling, and baking.
The Culinary Arts has identified two types of cooking and five forms of cooking food with the use of heat. All these were studied for the love of cooking and for the goal of improving and perfecting the art.
Indeed, no one can replace the joy of cooking in anyone’s heart. As time passes, cooking will always be the most favorite thing man ever does.