How to Thermal Cooking Techniques

What You Need to Know

Thermal cooking techniques, including sous vide, steam cooking, and grilling, involve the application of heat to cook food, resulting in denaturation of proteins, gelatinization of starches, caramelization, and Maillard reaction.

Steps

1. 1.

   French Confit (France): Slow cooking in fat at low temperatures to preserve and tenderize

2. 2.

   Japanese Yakitori (Japan): Precise grilling over binchotan charcoal for smoky flavor

3. 3.

   Argentinian Asado (Argentina): Slow wood-fired grilling to develop complex smoky flavors

The Science

Primary Reaction

Denaturation of proteins, gelatinization of starches, caramelization, Maillard reaction

Common Mistakes