METHODS OF FOOD PREPARATION.
There are many methods of food preservation, some of the methods are:
Boiling - This is a process where food is thrust in a sufficient amount of hot water and heated to its boiling temperature usually(100C ), and the temperature is maintained till the food is cooked. During this process avoid excess boiling of food because it can disintegrate the food.
Baking - This involves the use of an oven, with a method of combining the action of dry heat with that of the stem which is generated while the food is cooked. Through this process, you can bake your food. The dry, indirect heat from baking cooks all sides evenly and get the exterior of a food item brown while keeping the inside moist.
Frying - This is a method of cooking food in oil or other fat. They are several methods of frying, they are: (a)Deep frying is where the food is completely thrown into the hot oil
(b) pan-frying: where the food is placed and cooked in a frying- pan with oil. (c) stir-frying: where you fry the food very quickly on high heat in an oiled pan. Frying is one of the quickest ways to cook food.
4. Blanching: this is a process whereby food is submerged in liquid and cooked. It's similar to the boiling method, the difference is that food is only in liquid for just a bit until it's partially cooked, and immediately submerged in an ice bath to stop the cooking method.
5. Microwaving
This is a fairly recent method that involves the use of high-frequency electromagnetic rays i.e microwave which penetrates the food. This process is a quick method of cooking and reheating food, food retains its original coloring this procedure.
6. Roasting
This is a process by which food is brought in contact with the direct heat of the flame. The food is periodically coated and turned around for uniform cooking and it can be done either at high temperatures or low temperatures.
7. Smoking
This is a process by which food is cooked, preserved by exposing it to smoke from burning.
8. Grilling
This is a method of applying dry heat to the surface of the food.
9.Steaming: This is a process of cooking food not in boiling water, in the steam method water is boiled continuously to produce a steady amount of steam, the steam surrounds the foods and cooks evenly while retaining the moisture.
Reason for cooking
Heat kills harmful microorganisms present in foodstuff making it safe for consumption
It makes food tender, soft and easy to chew and digest
Cooking improves appearance and enhances the flavor in the favor of many foods.
PERSONAL HYGIENE IS IMPORTANT DURING FOOD PREPARATION.
For the following reasons
If food or water is not clean it can't be eaten or drunk.
Because every day people get sick from food poisoning either during preparation or consumption.
Food poisoning can lead to serious health problems such as gastroenteritis, dehydration, kidney failure and death.
To ensure a daily healthy family living
It prevents germs from multiplying in food from reaching a dangerous level.
To prevent cross-contamination of food or surface.
HOW TO PRACTICE SOME OF THE OF FOOD HYGIENE
Practice good personal hygiene: microorganisms can be transferred from hands to foods, to prevent this. Personal hygiene is what everyone must adhere to. By washing your hands regularly before preparing and after consuming food with soap and running water and always use a clean towel to dry your hands, because hands are breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
Always use clean water to prepare food: food hygiene practice needs to be carried out when washing, mixing and cooking food, water has a way of affecting our health. Unwholly water can lead to waterborne disease, it's important to use clean water to wash and cook food
Always clean the kitchen and mop the floor after each cooking: keeping the kitchen clean helps to prevent vector-borne disease resulting from flies, ants and cockroaches coming in contact with food and greasy areas that can harbor bacteria. This area can only be removed by mopping the floor.
Cook food to an appropriate temperature: cooking food to the acquired temperature is an important food hygiene practice, food like eggs and meat beef, pork, the chicken should be cooked longer until there are no traces of pink on the flesh, bone because some bacteria can withstand heat while food
Wash fruit and vegetables before use: fruits and vegetables are freshly purchased from the farm, store or market. These fruits contain chemical residues, soil and it's important to rinse fruits and vegetables with salt before eating or storing them in a food rack.
Clean utensils and cooking equipment before and after use: there are different utensils and equipment present in the kitchen, all this equipment should be properly cleaned before preparing food such as cutting boards, knives, mixers, blenders. This equipment needs to be cleaned and sanitized before and after using them because these areas are known to harbor bacteria when they get into foods which may lead to serious illness.
Separate raw food from ready to eat food:
raw foods should be kept away from cooked food because raw foods have bacteria present in them, that is while most of our food needs to be cooked, those foods that need to be refrigerated or frozen such as meat, fish, fruit, stew and soup. All these should be kept in different sealed containers and a different compartment of the fridge to prevent cross-contamination through dripping after marinating fish or meat.
Keep insects and pests away from the food area: insect and pest control is another important aspect of food hygiene which needs to be taken into consideration, all these vectors and pests are often seen in our houses such as the kitchen cupboard, under the stove, fridge corner, dark corner of the kitchen. These pests carry pathogens from one surface to another, whereby transmitting disease( foodborne, waterborne diseases, vector-borne disease).
Keep kitchen towels, sponges, and cleaning cloths clean and replace them regularly: the kitchen tools or equipment need to be kept clean and sanitized, because they are used on daily basis like when bringing down your hot pot of soup, to open a got lid, to dry your wet hands, you need to make use of the kitchen towel. When using this towel it must surely get wet and dirty, meaning that microorganisms can harbor on these damp surfaces, it is hygienic to wash and sanitize the towel after use.
Serve food correctly: don't touch the food that is ready for consumption or any part of the plate that the food is placed on.
Ensure proper food storage: food items
should be stored properly by making sure you cover all food items when storing them in your refrigerator or bag. Always check the label of food items to know their expiring date, not to consume food items that have passed their usage.
