Baking

Baking is the technique of cooking food in an oven by dry heat applied evenly throughout the oven. The person that does the baking is called a baker. Breads, desserts, and meat (see also roasting) are often baked, and baking is the primary cooking technique used to produce cakes and pastry-based goods such as pies, tarts, and quiches. Such items are sometimes referred to as "baked goods," and are sold at a bakery.

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The dry heat of baking gelatinizes starch and causes the outside of the food to brown or char, giving it an attractive appearance and taste, as well as partially sealing in the food's moisture. The browning is caused by caramelization of sugars and the Maillard reaction. Moisture is never really entirely "sealed in," however; over time, an item being baked will become drier and drier. This is often an advantage, especially in situations where drying is the desired outcome, for example in drying herbs or in roasting certain types of vegetables. The most common baked item is bread. Variations in the ovens, ingredients and recipies used in the baking of bread result in the wide varity of breads produced around the world.

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To compensate for moisture loss, some items (usually meats) are basted on the surface with butter or oil to slow the loss of moisture through the skin. Some foods are replenished with moisture during baking by placing a small amount of liquid (such as water or broth) in the bottom of the pan, and letting it steam up into or around the food. The term baking is not usually associated with the cooking of meats in this manner, it is instead termed roasting.

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Over time baked goods become hard in a process known as going stale, this is not primarily due to moisture being lost from the baked products but a reorganization of the way in which the water and starch are associated over time, a process similar to recrystallization.

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Cooking: Cooking is the act of preparing food for consumption. It encompasses a vast range of methods, tools and combinations of ingredients to improve the flavour and/or digestibility of food. It generally requires the selection, measurement and combining of ingredients in an ordered procedure in an effort ...

Food: Food is any substance consumed by living organisms, including liquid drinks. Food is the main source of energy and of nutrition for animals, and is usually of animal or plant origin....

Oven: An oven is an enclosed compartment for heating, baking or drying. It is most commonly used in cooking and pottery. Two common kinds of ovens are gas ovens and electric ovens. Ovens used in pottery are also known as kilns....

Baking related Images and Photos (experimental)

Baking Dishes in a Pile	Adobe Baking Oven Hornos	Kids' Apron & Baking Set	Black Cat Baking Powder
I Love Lucy Baking Bread Plaque	Today Show Holiday Baking Set	Boy in Chef's Hat Baking Cookies	Lucille Ball I Love Lucy - Baking Bread - 8x10 Plaque
Lucille Ball I Love Lucy - Baking Bread - 8x10 Plaque	Cake Boss Kid's T-Shirt, Apron & Baking Set	Still Life with Ball of Pastry and Various Baking Utensils