Sealing raw or partially cooked meals in a food-grade plastic bag is the first step in sous vide cooking. The bag is immersed in water heated between 65 and 95 degrees Celsius (149 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit). There are no hot or cold areas in the water bath because the water is always moving. With this method, the food is cooked at the exact temperature that the water is set to. In fact, a wide variety of foods can be prepared successfully in the sous vide method. A few good choices are beef and eggs, vegetables, legumes, and cereals of varying sorts.
In comparison to other cooking methods, sous vide is more nutritious. High-temperature cooking methods like frying and grilling can cause the development of potentially dangerous compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs and heterocyclic amines or HCAs in food. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to certain chemicals may alter DNA in ways that raise cancer risk.
Sous-vide cooking has many advantages. Let's explore a few.
Veggies cooked in sous vide, Image Source: blog.pamperedchef.com
Consistent cooking
Food is prepared to an exact temperature while using sous vide. If the water temperature in the sous vide cooker is set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, for instance, the water will remain at that temperature throughout the cooking process. Changes in temperature produced by the sous vide are typically less than 0.2 °F (0.1 degrees Celsius). Because of this, you'll never have to worry about your food being overcooked, and you'll have more say over the ideal level of doneness.
Assured tenderness
One of the most fundamental goals of cooking meat is to make it tender. The beef tenderloin is the most expensive cut since it is the most tender. High cooking temperatures often make the meat extremely hard and unpleasant to chew. Tenderness is preserved, and shrinkage is reduced when meat is cooked in a sealed pouch. Since modern meat is thinner than in the past, several experts warn that conventional cooking methods can lead to dry dishes. Because of its rubbery texture after cooking, cuttlefish must be tenderised first. Low cooking temperatures are achieved while cooking cuttlefish in sous vide, preventing the meat from shrinking, instead making it softer.
Beef steak to be cooked in sous vide, Image Source: anovaculinary.com
Benefits to health
Vegetables lose nutrients when cooked in high heat, such as when boiled or steamed. Sous vide cooking preserves nearly all the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds naturally present in vegetables by conserving their cell walls. Vegetables have a more robust flavour after being cooked sous vide. Less fat and salt are used, making it a healthier option.
Better convenience
The food business and home cooks can benefit from the ease of sous vide cooking. The meal can be maintained in a hot water bath for up to two hours after it has been cooked sous vide. Sous vide allows you to prepare meals up to two weeks in advance and keep them safely in the fridge. There will be no loss of flavour or freshness. This will come in handy if you have a lot of food to prepare.
Safety of Sous Vide cooking
Risks associated with sous vide cooking are minimal if proper food safety procedures are followed. But raw foods must be cooked to specific temperatures and for sufficient time to destroy the dangerous bacteria that cause spoilage and food-borne illnesses. It is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit where these bacteria flourish (8 to 60 degrees Celsius). This is the danger zone.