National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Culinary Practice Exam

Which cooking method involves immersing food in oil or fat?

1. Braising

2. Frying

3. Steaming

4. Roasting

The correct answer is: Frying

Frying is the cooking method that involves immersing food in oil or fat. This technique can be done using various types of fats, such as vegetable oils or lard, at high temperatures, allowing food to cook quickly while achieving a crispy texture. Frying can be performed in different styles, such as deep frying, where food is fully submerged in hot oil, or shallow frying, where just enough oil is used to cover the bottom of the pan. This method not only cooks food rapidly but also enhances its flavor and creates a desirable crunch, making it a popular choice for many dishes like fried chicken, doughnuts, and French fries. In contrast, braising involves slow-cooking food in liquid to tenderize it, steaming uses water vapor to cook food without fats, and roasting employs dry heat in an oven to cook food evenly.