How do you ‘measure’
up? Answers to quiz
By Oluwatoyin Oluwastoyin
Friday,
June 22, 2007
Appetit does not want to turn your patience to endurance
so? Here are the answers to last week quiz. Go ahead to see how you truly measure
up.
The most basic rule in cooking is to measure ingredients accurately.
True or False?
True! For a recipe to turn out well, you must use the right
amount of each ingredient.
To measure ingredients correctly, you will need
three types of measuring devices -- can you name them?
a. Glass or clear
plastic measuring cups for liquid ingredients. These measure liquids, like milk,
water or juice. They have lines marked on the glass to indicate the different
amounts, and they have spouts to make pouring easy. Often these measurements will
be in both cups and ounces.
b. Metal or plastic measuring cups for dry
ingredients. These are used to measure dry ingredients such as flour, granulated
sugar, nuts, shredded cheese, and bread crumbs. Each cup measures a different
amount. Select the size the recipe calls for and spoon the ingredient into it.
Using a narrow metal spatula, make the ingredient level with the top of the cup.
c.
Measuring spoons. Use measuring spoons to measure small amounts of liquids. Hold
the spoon away from the bowl or pan you are adding the liquid to, then pour enough
liquid into the spoon to fill it. Measuring spoons for dry ingredients work in
the same way. Select the size the recipe calls for and spoon the ingredient into
it. Using a narrow metal spatula, make the ingredient level with the top of the
spoon.
To measure liquid ingredients, the measuring cup should be placed
at: (a) toe level, (b) waist level, (c) eye level.
c) Eye level. Place
a measuring cup on a flat surface. Add some of the liquid. Then bend down until
your eyes are even with the measurement marks. If you do not have enough liquid,
pour in a little more. Then check again. Do this until you have the right amount.
If you have too much liquid, pour out the extra. Use a rubber scraper to make
sure you get all the liquid out of the cup.
If you do not have a measuring
cup or spoon in the size specified, what do you do? (a) Find a new recipe, (b)
Put in amount of the ingredient that "looks good" (c) Use smaller cups
or spoons that together add up to the amount you need.
(c) Use smaller
cups or spoons that together equal the amount needed. For example, if you do not
have a 2/3-cup size, measure 1/3 cup of the ingredient. Pour the ingredient into
the bowl or pan and measure another 1/3 cup. If you need 3/4 cup, measure 1/2
cup plus 1/4 cup.
Most ingredients can be measured using the standard techniques
listed above. But, there are some ingredients that require a little special attention
when being measured. True or false?
True! Some of those "special"
ingredients are: Brown sugar: Brown sugar is measured differently from other sugars
because it clumps. Use your fingers to pack the brown sugar into a dry measuring
cup. Press down firmly. Add brown sugar until it is level with the top of the
measuring cup. If you do this correctly, when you dump out the brown sugar, it
will hold the shape of the cup.
Butter or margarine: One stick of butter
or margarine equals 1/2 cup. To use smaller amounts, look for measurement marks
on the wrapper. The marks indicate tablespoons, 1/4 cup, and 1/3 cup. Use a table
knife to cut the wrapped stick of butter or margarine at the mark you need. Unwrap
the part you will use. Wrap the remainder in clear plastic wrap.
Shortening
and peanut butter: Use a rubber spatula to pack shortening or peanut butter into
a metal or plastic measuring cup. Cut through the shortening with the rubber spatula
to squeeze out all the air. When the measuring cup is full, level off the top
with the flat edge of the rubber scraper or narrow metal spatula. To remove the
shortening or peanut butter from the measuring cup, run the rubber spatula around
the inside of the cup and push the ingredient out. Be sure to scrape everything
out of the cup.
So how did you "measure" up?
• If you
answered all five questions correctly, you are a measuring master!
•
If you answered three or four questions correctly, you have been around a measuring
cup or spoon before, but could learn a bit more about them.
If you answered
one or two correctly, you do not know it all yet. But that is ok. Apetit has just
taught you!
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