Today, I feel privileged to be part of this competition and pass on my passion in bake, an art that involves some waits, measures and the right dose of passion. All my heartfelt appreciation goes to @ninapenda for coming up with this competition and assembling such like-minded folks. Well, the best way to understand the opportunities of baking is to plunge into this topic and discover the ways of the sweet and the ways of the savory.
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Baking is the method of cooking food at high temperature using dry heat normally studied in an oven; it therefore involves the scientific method and the creative process. It comprises combining basic materials e.g. flour, sugar, butter and eggs and after applying heat, make a loaf of bread, cookies or cake. One of the most interesting aspects in baking is that it combines discipline and artistry all in one. Rather than just baking in terms of a recipe, it’s about creating flavor and experimenting with texture. Baking an accessible craft and a fun activity creating recipes to share such as a homemade cake or a family recipe.
There is a numerous of methods in baking, each produces different outcomes and appropriate for specific products. Here are three methods I find particularly interesting:
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✅ Convection Baking: In this method hot air is circulated by the help of a fan to pass over the food in the oven. It enables heat to cook from every angle, something which helps baked products cook faster and last longer. This method is very good when I want to have a crispy brown surface, for foods such as cookies, or pastries.
✅ Steam Baking: In this technique, steam is brought into the baking process by making the oven moist at certain point of baking process. It is regularly applied to bread and other dough food products. I think steam baking is ideal for achieving such a texture of the inner part in bread while baking a crisp crust as is seen in fresh baked breads.
✅ Blind Baking: Also known as blind baking the crust of pies and tarts and it involves baking the crust before setting the filling. I employ blind baking where I want to prevent the formation of soggy bottom for things like fruit pies and quiches. It minimizes the chances of a raw or uncooked crust on the meals besides giving the whole dish a crispy touch.
Every one of them adds some kind of benefit and based on the result you want to achieve while baking, they are just perfect.
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Definitely, I enjoy it so much; I just love baking. I like to cook and always interested in something new in kitchen and in people’s tables but unfortunately for me this is just a hobby. In respect to baking I prefer convection baking techniques, though they may take a little longer. In my opinion it is the most beneficial because it allows to obtain an even cook and a great end result. The fan in a convection oven continues the circulation of hot air both around the food and the walls of the oven, and as a result the food cooks faster and is more evenly done. This is especially lovely for cookies, cakes, pastries, where you desire that outer roasted crust but still have your inside gooey soft. That is why I appreciate that in convection baking the food cooks at the same temperature thus producing the best results. It is a technique that encompasses aspects of speed and accuracy hence my preferred option every time is baking.
Nonetheless, baked products can have a number of advantageous health effects if the correct ingredients are used. Here are four key benefits:
✅ Control Over Ingredients: Thankfully, baking at home gives us control over the kind of ingredients to be used which include whole grain flour, natural sugars and real fats, meaning that baked foods are a much better deal than baked products bought from shops.
✅ Nutrient-Rich: Substituting whole wheat flour, fruits and vegetables in baked products can enhance the inclusion of fiber and vitamins and minerals in the baked products.
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✅ Easier Digestion: Baked food products are healthier mostly because they are not processed and do not turnout as tough as fried foods.
✅ Lower in Unhealthy Fats: Most of the time baking is much healthier than frying since little oils is needed also the amount of fats and calories content is less when the fruit or other lean protein is used to add moisture.
Every now and again, baked goods are tasty healthy treats that should not be eliminated from our everyday diets.
Baked foods which are preferred because they are healthier than fried foods do have some side effects even when taken in moderation. Here are four potential side effects:
✅ High in Calories: Many sweetened products which are baked contain high amount of calories from the refined sugars, butter and white flour. The consumption of large portions of the food may lead to addition weight gain besides other associated health complications such as obesity or metabolic syndromes.
✅ Excess Sugar Intake: Most processed foods especially those in the cake and pastries’ category contain large amounts of sugar. Such foods are unhealthy since taking them raise the possibility of contracting diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, or even dental problems.
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✅ Low Nutrient Density: Wherever baked products are produced with refined flour or any synthetic ingredient, then such products do not possess fiber, vitamins, or minerals. This can lead to 'empty calories,’ if these food are taken in place of better quality energetic foods.
✅ Potential for Trans Fats: Many processed foods you buy at stores contain trans fats which are dangerous for your heart. These fats are including in most of the processed pastries, cookies and cakes and their regular use augments the tendency of cardiovascular diseases.
Nonetheless, baked products are okay to be taken from time to time but while baking ensures that you go for healthier recipes in order to counter the above side effects.