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• Using a lid will reduce cooking times and save energy by retaining the heat.
• Minimise the amount of liquid or fat to reduce cooking times.
• Start cooking on a high setting and reduce the setting when the food has heated
through.
Simmering, cooking rice
• Simmering occurs below boiling point, at around 85˚C, when bubbles are just
rising occasionally to the surface of the cooking liquid. It is the key to delicious
soups and tender stews because the flavours develop without overcooking the
food. You should also cook egg-based and flourthickened sauces below boiling
point.
• Some tasks, including cooking rice by the absorption method, may require a
setting higher than the lowest setting to ensure the food is cooked properly in
the time recommended.
Searing steak
To cook juicy flavoursome steaks:
1. Stand the meat at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking.
2. Heat up a heavy-based frying pan.
3. Brush both sides of the steak with oil. Drizzle a small amount of oil into the hot
pan and then lower the meat onto the hot pan.
4. Turn the steak only once during cooking. The exact cooking time will depend
on the thickness of the steak and how cooked you want it. Times may vary
from about 2 – 8 minutes per side. Press the steak to gauge how cooked it is
– the firmer it feels the more ‘well done’ it will be.
5. Leave the steak to rest on a warm plate for a few minutes to allow it to relax
and become tender before serving.
For stir-frying
1. Choose an ceramic compatible flat-based wok or a large frying pan.
2. Have all the ingredients and equipment ready. Stir-frying should be quick. If
cooking large quantities, cook the food in several smaller batches.
3. Preheat the pan briefly and add two tablespoons of oil.
4. Cook any meat first, put it aside and keep warm.
5. Stir-fry the vegetables. When they are hot but still crisp, turn the cooking
zone to a lower setting, return the meat to the pan and add your sauce.
6. Stir the ingredients gently to make sure they are heated through.
7. Serve immediately.
