QUARTER-1-LESSON-2-CEREAL-AND-START-LO-2.pdf

Learning Outcome 2 Prepare and Cook Starch and Cereal Dishes One of the properties of starch is viscosity which is the resistance to flow of starch and modified starch paste. In the preparation and cooking of starch and cereal dishes, factors affecting starch paste viscosity and starch gel strength...

Learning Outcome 2 Prepare and Cook Starch and Cereal Dishes One of the properties of starch is viscosity which is the resistance to flow of starch and modified starch paste. In the preparation and cooking of starch and cereal dishes, factors affecting starch paste viscosity and starch gel strength should be considered. Factors Affecting Starch Paste Viscosity and Starch Gel Strength Stress or other factor. Stirring Amount and Type. This is a gelatinized cornstarch dispersion that is likely to break; the granules broke apart due to stirring. Kind and Amount of Starch. Certain type of starch will influence the characteristics of the starch paste viscosity and gel strength. Generally speaking, with "native starches" the greater the amount of amylopectin the more viscous the starch paste, whereas, the greater the amount of amylase, the firmer the gel is (greater the gel strength). Heating rate. The faster starch-water dispersion is heated; the thicker it will be at the identical endpoint temperature. Endpoint Temperature Each type of starch has a specific endpoint temperature at which it will undergo optimum gelatinization. Incompletely gelatinized starch will not attain optimum starch paste viscosity or gel strength. Over gelatinization results in decreased starch paste viscosity and gel strength because the swollen granules fragmented with stirring and/or imploded due to the extensive loss of amylase from the granule. Cooling and storage conditions If cooled too fast, the amylase will not have time to form the vital micelles necessary for the three-dimensional structure. if cooled too slowly, the amylase fractions will have a chance to align too much and become too close together and the liquid portion will not be trapped in the micelles. In both instances there will be weeping and syneresis (the contraction of a gel accompanied by the separating out of liquid.). Ingredients added (acid, enzyme, sugar, fat and emulsifiers a. Addition of acid or enzyme can also cause dextrinization (the process of forming dextrins). Dextrin – a pale powder obtained from starch, used mainly as an adhesive. In making kalamansi pudding or pie, if the juice is added early in the gelatinization process, dextrinization of the starch will occur resulting in decreased viscosity and gel strength. Sugar will delay or inhibit gelatinization of starch. Starch pudding with excess sugar will be less viscous or form less firm gel.  A cake may collapse as the structural contribution of starch is delayed or inhibited. Decreased starch paste viscosity and gel strength because the sugar added to water won‘t be available for gelatinization. The kind of sugar used also affect viscosity. Fat and surfactants, will serve to ―waterproof‖ the starch granules so that water will not penetrate as readily during the gelatinization process. Common Problems in Starch Cookery 1. Thinning of Gel. This problem is usually encountered when using acid or acid ingredients such as lemon or vinegar. 2. Weak Gel. Weak gel results if there is too much liquid in relation to the starch 3. Skin Formation. Skin formation is due to loss of water from the starch and protein molecules near the surface of the mixture. To reduce this problem, cover container of the starch gel with a waterproof cover. 4. Scorching. This can be avoided by temperature control and constant stirring so the starch granules do not settle at the bottom of the cooking pan. 5. Raw Starch Flavor. This is due to ungelatinized starch. Principles in Cooking Cereals In cooking all cereal products, the following points should be observed: 1. Use a double boiler. 2. Observe carefully the correct proportions of cereal, water and salt. 3. Cook at boiling temperature (212° F.). 4. Watch the time by the clock, and always cook the full time prescribed, preferably longer. 5. Serve attractively. 6. Improper cooking and poor serving are largely responsible for unpopularity of cereal foods. Cooking Pasta Pasta should be cooked al dente, or ―to the tooth‖. This means the cooking should be stopped when the pasta still feels firm to the bite, not soft and mushy. The pleasure of cooking pasta is its texture, and this is lost if it is overcooked. To test for doneness, break pasta into small piece and taste it. As soon as pasta is al dente, cooking must be stopped at once. Half a minute extra is enough to overcook it. Cooking times differ for every shape and size of pasta. Timing also depends on the kind of flour used, and the moisture content. Fresh egg pasta, if it has not been allowed to dry, takes only 1 to 1 ½ minutes to cook after the water has returned to a boil. Italian practice is to toss the pasta with the sauce the minute it is drained, the sauce immediately coats all surfaces of the pasta, and the cheese, melts in the heat of the boiling hot noodles. Basic Principles in Preparing Pasta Pasta Shapes There are hundreds of shapes and sizes of pasta with each shape used for different preparations based on how the sauce will cling, the texture desired, or how the product will be used. For example: Pasta shapes with holes or ridges, such as wagon wheels or rotini, are perfect for chunkier sauces. Thin, delicate pastas, such as angel hair or vermicelli, are better served with light, thin sauces. Thicker pasta shapes, such as fettuccine, work well with heavier sauces. Very small pasta shapes, like alphabet shapes and acini di pepe, are good for soups. Flavored pasta is available in a variety of shapes in both the dried and fresh forms. Vegetable ingredients are added to pasta to provide both color and flavor. An example of flavored pasta is spinach noodles that are green. Follow the package directions for cooking flavored pastas. Cooking Time Depends on the Shape It is important to be familiar with different shapes of pasta so cooking times can be adjusted. The larger and fuller the pasta shape, the longer the cooking time. Most pasta recipes specify cooking times for pasta cooked al dente, tender but firm. Al dente is an Italian phrase that means ―to the tooth.‖ Some of the pasta shapes and cooking times are shown in the ―Cooking Chart for Various Pasta Shapes.‖ Just seeing this chart helps to emphasize how important it is to follow the recipe and cook pasta the right way. Pasta Gets Bigger and Heavier when Cooked Generally, pasta doubles or triples in weight when it is cooked. Likewise, the volume increases 2 to 2 ½ times during cooking. Follow the Recipe The general rule for cooking pasta in boiling water is for 1 pound of pasta, use 1 gallon of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of oil. For 100 servings of spaghetti, 6 gallons of water, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of oil are needed to cook 6 pounds of dried spaghetti. When pasta is to be used as an ingredient in a recipe that will be cooked more, like macaroni and cheese, it should be slightly undercooked. This means reducing the cooking time by about 2 minutes. Pasta that is not cooked enough is tough and chewy. Pasta that is overcooked is soft and pasty. When overcooked pasta is combined with a sauce, it often breaks apart. Handle pasta the right way after it is cooked. Like most foods, pasta is best when it is cooked and served right away. However, it is sometimes necessary to cook it ahead and hold it until time for service. Suggestions for Holding Pasta To serve immediately Drain, add sauce, and serve. To hold for a short time Drain, toss with a small amount of oil to for service later prevent sticking, cover, and hold in warmer. To serve as part of a Cook pasta a day ahead so it will be chilled salad when combined with the other salad ingredients. Do not combine hot pasta with cold ingredients. Drain and cover with cold water just long enough to cool. The pasta does not need refrigeration for a short time, it is cooled in the water. When pasta is cool, drain and toss lightly with oil to prevent sticking or drying out. Cover and refrigerate. To cook a day ahead Drain and cover with cold water just long for service in a heated enough dish to cool. When pasta is cool, drain and toss lightly with oil to prevent sticking or drying out. Cover and refrigerate. When it is time to use the pasta, immerse it in boiling water until just heated through. Drain immediately and use according to the recipe. The pasta should not be cooked more, just heated to serving temperature. To use in a cooked dish Slightly undercook the pasta.