NCV L4 Food Preparations Module 1

Questions and Answers

What are the three steps to follow when cleaning food preparation areas?

Wipe up spilled or splashed food immediately to avoid creating a safety hazard, spray with detergent or sanitiser solution and then wipe clean, dry with a clean cloth or allow to air dry.

Name the three methods of sanitising the meat working area and give two main steps of each method.

Hot water: The temperature of the final rinse water should be at least 82ºC; Equipment washed by hand should be kept under hot water for 2 minutes. Boiling water: Immersing in boiling water (100ºC) for thirty seconds can sanitise equipment; Large equipment can be sanitised by boiling water in them. Chemical sanitising agents: Use according to the manufacturer's instructions; Rinse equipment carefully after sanitising to remove all chemical residues.

List four types of equipment used for the preparation and cooking of meat.

Knives, chopping boards, roasting pans, grilling trays, frying pans.

Name the five preventative steps to prevent contamination threats when cooking meat dishes.

<ol> <li>Following cleaning schedules, 2. Using appropriate sanitising agents and boiling or hot water, 3. Following personal hygiene regulations, 4. Ensuring adequate storage facilities are monitored, 5. Following proper storage principles for prepared foods.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the contamination threat with meat in a restaurant kitchen.

Muscle tissue in healthy animals is usually sterile, but bacteria can contaminate meat during processing. Uncooked meat is a medium for bacterial growth due to moisture and nutrients. Temperature control is crucial to prevent bacterial growth. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the roasting of a leg of lamb.

<ol> <li>Pre-heat oven. 2. Season meat with salt and pepper at start, during or end of cooking. 3. Place roast on rack in pan, fat side up. 4. Do not sear. 5. Do not add water. 6. Do not cover. 7. Roast at constant temperature. 8. Turn boneless roast. 9. Roast until done.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to prevent contamination when working with poultry or chicken pieces?

Chill poultry properly during storage, wash equipment and hands after handling raw poultry, thaw frozen birds gradually, bring birds to room temperature before cooking, and ensure proper stuffing practices. Signup and view all the answers

Name four points to consider when buying meat for your establishment.

Storage facilities, available equipment, kitchen staff's capability to butcher, volume of meat required. Signup and view all the answers

Name THREE methods to test meat for doneness.

<ol> <li>Meat thermometer 2. Time-weight ratio 3. Fork test.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the characteristics of good quality offal.

Freshness (purchased no longer than 72 hours after slaughter), smaller sizes indicate better quality, shininess with full colour, firmness with a pleasant smell, and no damage. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the THREE methods of grilling meat.

<ol> <li>Oven-grilling / salamander. 2. Pan-grilling using a riffle pan without oil. 3. Grilling over hot coals.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

List FIVE cooking methods for game dishes.

<ol> <li>Roasting 2. Poaching 3. Pot-roasting 4. Braising 5. Grilling.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What quality points must fresh poultry have?

Moist unbroken skin, firm plump breasts, clean fresh smell, flexible breastbone tip, no broken bones, no dark patches or bruising, no pin feathers. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the quality purchasing points for venison.

Flesh should be dark reddish-brown, free from blood clots and bruising; Young animals (up to 4 years) provide better quality; Smell should be gamey but not unpleasant. Signup and view all the answers

Explain ways to keep waste at a minimum.

Order correct portion sizes, be aware of wastage in preparation, understand waste percentages of different cuts or carcasses. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the following preparation methods for meat: defrosting, washing, trimming, skinning, and trussing.

Defrosting meat should occur completely in the fridge; washing is needed only when meat contacts blood; trimming involves removing excess fat and gristle; skinning is done carefully to keep the meat intact; trussing keeps the shape during roasting. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how to cater for Jewish Kosher food requirements.

Kosher laws mandate separating dairy and meat, observing a time period between dairy and meat meals, slaughtering animals in a ritual manner, and not allowing pork or non-kosher meats. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how to cater for Muslim food requirements.

Muslim food must adhere to Halal laws, prohibiting any pig products and requiring specific slaughter methods for acceptable meat. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss guidelines for storing prepared meat dishes.

<ol> <li>Store at safe temperatures. 2. Label, date, and sign all containers. 3. Allow air circulation in refrigerators. 4. Never refreeze thawed food. 5. Pack foods for easy access.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How long will you store raw mince?

Mince can be frozen for 3 months and kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Signup and view all the answers

How will you handle tough or burnt meat?

Tough meat can be used in a casserole, while burnt meat should be discarded and the dish remade. Signup and view all the answers

What steps will you take when meat is overcooked?

Use the overcooked meat to create an alternative dish by mincing it for spreads or sandwiches, and analyze cooking times to avoid this in the future. Signup and view all the answers

List SIX points to develop efficient and organized work habits.

<ol> <li>Be aware of your role. 2. Work cooperatively. 3. Be punctual. 4. Plan work to avoid unnecessary movement. 5. Organize your work area. 6. Clean as you go.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food Preparation and Safety

Clean food preparation areas by wiping spills to prevent hazards, spraying with detergent, and drying surfaces.
Sanitize meat working areas using hot water (82ºC final rinse), boiling water (30 seconds immersion), or chemical agents, while following manufacturer instructions.

Equipment for Meat Preparation

Essential tools include knives, chopping boards, roasting pans, grilling trays, and frying pans.

Contamination Prevention

Maintain cleaning schedules and hygienic practices.
Monitor proper food storage and sanitation methods to prevent contamination from bacteria, particularly in uncooked meat.
Temperature control is vital to inhibit bacterial growth and ensure food safety.

Poultry Handling

Chill poultry properly, wash hands and equipment after raw handling, and thaw frozen birds gradually.
When cooking, ensure thorough heat penetration to kill bacteria like salmonella.

Meat Purchasing Considerations

Assess storage facilities, available equipment, butchering capabilities of kitchen staff, and required meat volume prior to purchasing.

Beef Cuts Examination

Understand different beef cuts and their uses, such as the bolo for braising, chuck for stewing, brisket for pot roasting, and fillet for high tenderness.

Quality Indicators for Meat

Quality considerations include fat firmness, even marbling, bright red lean color, elasticity in touch, and watery moisture on cut surfaces.
Fresh veal characterized by pale pink resilient flesh, firm pinkish-white fat, and healthy-looking bones.

Lamb Cuts Identification

Recognize cuts of lamb including neck, thick rib, shoulder, breast and flank, rib, loin, chump, and leg and shin.

Quality of Offal

Good offal should be fresh, firm, shiny, and free from damage or excessive bleeding. Size indicates quality—smaller indicative of younger animals.

Poultry Quality Assessment

Fresh poultry must have moist skin, firm breasts, a clean smell, flexibility in breastbone, absence of broken bones, and no bruising or pin feathers.

Venison Quality Points

Look for dark reddish-brown flesh without signs of blood clots, preference for young animals under 4 years, and a pleasant gamey smell.

Meat Cooking Considerations

High oven temperatures can cause drying and burning while improper cooking temps can negatively affect texture and taste.
Inferior meat products lead to poor customer experiences and affect business profitability.

Meat Preparation Methods

Follow safe defrosting practices, wash when necessary, and remove gristle while properly trimming meat.
Techniques such as skinning, trussing, marinating, coating, deboning, and filleting help in effective meat preparation.

Roasting Techniques

For a leg of lamb, preheat oven and season meat, place fat side up on a rack without covering or adding water, and roast steadily until done.### Meat Doneness Testing Methods
Meat thermometer provides an accurate internal temperature reading to determine doneness.
Time-weight ratio helps estimate cooking time based on the weight of the meat.
Fork test involves poking the meat to check for tenderness and juices.

Grilling Methods for Meat

Oven-grilling (salamander): Meat is placed 100mm away from a red-hot heating element on a roasting pan.
Pan-grilling: Uses a riffle pan heated without oil; meat is turned when it no longer sticks to the pan.
Grilling over coals: Meat is cooked 100mm above moderate coals; tongs should be used for turning to prevent damage.

Cooking Methods for Game Dishes

Roasting is preferred for feathered game and tender cuts.
Poaching suits tender cuts like duck breast and venison fillet.
Pot-roasting is common for rabbit, hare, and pheasant.
Braising works well for lean feathered game and tougher cuts.
Grilling is suitable for tender cuts and smaller feathered game (e.g., quail).
Shallow frying is excellent for tender cuts, particularly fillets and breasts.

Minimizing Waste

Order the correct portion sizes of meat cuts to align with menu requirements.
Consider wastage during meat preparation, including bones and off-cuts.
Awareness of waste percentages is crucial for accurate ordering and minimizing overstock.

Catering for Dietary Requirements

Jewish Kosher Food: Mandates separation of meat and dairy, with specific slaughter methods. Acceptable foods include cloven-hooved animals and chicken.
Muslim Food: Adheres to Halal laws, prohibiting pork and requiring specific slaughter methods for lamb and beef.

Guidelines for Storing Prepared Meat Dishes

Maintain safe temperatures: Refrigerated at 4°C, frozen at -18°C, hot food kept above 65°C.
Label and date all containers before refrigeration or freezing.
Arrange fridge items for optimal air circulation.
Never refreeze thawed foods and pack portioned items for easy access.
Implement high hygiene standards for extended shelf life.

Storing Raw Mince

Mince can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
Cover lightly with waxed paper to prevent drying out.

Handling Unexpected Situations

Tough or Burnt Meat: Use tough meat in casseroles; burnt meat must be discarded and the dish remade.
Overcooked Meat: Repurpose for mincing into spreads; remaking the original dish is necessary if it is required.
Equipment Failure: Report issues immediately; maintenance should be called by the supervisor.

Developing Efficient Work Habits

Understand roles and responsibilities; collaboration saves time.
Be punctual to support fellow staff members.
Stay within specified cooking areas to maintain workflow.
Plan tasks to minimize movement; group ingredient collection.
Gather necessary equipment beforehand and ensure backups are available.
Organize workspace effectively, maintaining cleanliness and order.

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Description

This summative assessment focuses on Module 1 of the NCV Level 4 Food Preparations course, covering topics related to meat, poultry, game, and offal. Students will complete this assessment in a two-hour timeframe, aiming for a total of 170 marks. Feedback will be provided after the assessment.