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Practical Cookery


Synopsis


Trust Practical Cookery: the classic recipe and reference book used to train professional chefs for over 50 years.

This 14th edition of Practical Cookery is the must-have resource for every aspiring chef. It will help develop the culinary knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours in the new Commis Chef (Level 2) apprenticeship standards and prepare apprentices and work-based learners for end-point assessment. It also supports those on NVQ programmes in Professional Cookery or Food Production and Cooking.

· Covers the latest preparation, cooking and finishing techniques, as well as the classics every chef should master with over 500 reliable recipes and 1,000 photographs.
· Provides clear illustration of how dishes should look with close-up finished shots for every recipe, and clear step-by-step sequences to master techniques.
· Ensures learners are fully up to date, with new content on the latest technology within the hospitality sector, up-to-date safe and hygienic working requirements, and new content on costing and yield control.
· Helps assess knowledge and understanding with a new 'Know it' feature that will support preparation for professional discussions or knowledge tests.
· Allows students to showcase the practical skills required for assessment with new 'Show it' activities.
· Encourages apprentices to think about how they have demonstrated professional behaviours with new reflective 'Live it' activities.

David Foskett, Patricia Paskins, Neil Rippington, Steve Thorpe

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to Cookery

* Importance of cookery: Essential for sustenance, nutrition, and enjoyment
* Basic principles of cooking: Heat transfer, food preparation techniques, ingredient selection
* Real example: A basic recipe for scrambled eggs, demonstrating the principles of heat transfer and ingredient handling

Chapter 2: Kitchen Equipment and Techniques

* Essential kitchen tools: Knives, pans, measuring instruments
* Fundamental cooking techniques: Sautéing, frying, roasting, baking
* Real example: How to use a knife to chop vegetables into even pieces, maximizing flavor and presentation

Chapter 3: Ingredients and Their Characteristics

* Common ingredients: Vegetables, fruits, meats, grains
* Properties of ingredients: Texture, flavor, nutritional value
* Real example: The different types of tomatoes and their suitability for various dishes

Chapter 4: Sauces and Dressings

* Introduction to sauces: Types, purposes, preparation techniques
* Basic sauces: Bechamel, velouté, espagnole
* Real example: Step-by-step guide on making a classic tomato sauce

Chapter 5: Soups and Stews

* Characteristics of soups and stews: Liquid-based, flavorful dishes
* Different types of soups: Clear, pureed, thick
* Real example: Recipe for a hearty beef stew with vegetables

Chapter 6: Meat and Poultry

* Cuts of meat: Prime, choice, select
* Cooking methods for meat and poultry: Grilling, roasting, steaming
* Real example: How to grill a perfect steak, achieving the desired doneness

Chapter 7: Fish and Seafood

* Types of fish and seafood: Shellfish, finfish, mollusks
* Cooking techniques for fish and seafood: Pan-frying, baking, poaching
* Real example: Instructions on preparing a pan-seared salmon fillet with lemon butter sauce

Chapter 8: Vegetables and Fruits

* Varieties of vegetables and fruits: Cruciferous, root, leafy
* Cooking methods for vegetables and fruits: Steaming, roasting, grilling
* Real example: Tips on grilling vegetables to enhance their flavor and nutritional value

Chapter 9: Salads and Dressings

* Types of salads: Green salads, composed salads, pasta salads
* Methods for making salad dressings: Emulsions, vinaigrettes
* Real example: Recipe for a classic Caesar salad with homemade dressing

Chapter 10: Breads and Pastries

* Introduction to breads and pastries: Basic doughs, rising agents
* Types of doughs: Yeast-based, chemically leavened
* Real example: Step-by-step instructions on making a homemade focaccia bread