FoodNet

Experimental cookery

1932

Page 201

Presented as published in 1932. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Basting. Lowe and Keltner found that basting shortened the cooking period, but did not appreciably affect the cooking losses. Butter was used for basting. The salt was removed by washing, the butter was then melted, and the curd allowed to settle. The half of chicken was basted before putting in the oven, at the end of 30, and at the end of 60 minutes, a total of 20 grams of butter being used. Basting increased the desirability of the lean meat of both the thigh and breast. Time of cooking. Roasters weighing 4 to 5 pounds, dressed weight, re- quire about 35 minutes per pound to cook by the searing method. If estimate is based on the stuffed weight, about 30 minutes per pound is necessary. But considerable variation may be expected, larger roasters requiring a shorter and smaller ones a longer time. For the constant oven temperature, 150°C. (about 300°F.), approximately the same time will be required as for the searing method though again considerable variation may be expected. Table 38, based on laboratory results, gives approximate time for roast- ing turkey at 150°C. Variation from this time will of course be found. The time given is for uncovered birds. A. shorter time will be required when the roast is covered. TABLE 38 Approximate Time for Cooking Turkey Turkey Weight of stuffed bird in pounds Average total cooking time in hours Average time per pound in minutes Small 6 to 10 10 to 16 18 to 23 3 to 3>^ 3K to 4K 4>^ to 6 20 to 25 Medium 18 to 20 Large 16 to 18 Effect of feed on fat distribution. Maw has investigated the effect of cereals, yellow corn, wheat, oats, and barley on the amount and nature of the fat deposited in different parts of the body (flesh, abdominal fat, ex- ternal fat, and skin). Flesh as used was composed of the breast and leg muscles with external fat stripped clean. The wheat gave an excellent external appearance as it produced an external layer of fat over the carcass 250 MEAT but relatively little fat distributed through the flesh. Table 39 gives his results : TABLE 39 Distribution of Fat in the Body {Mazv) Cereal Percentage total fat Fat in flesh Fat in skin Abdominal fat Corn Barley 13.4 12.1 12.1 12.9 30 26 22 20 55 59 57 60 15 15 Oats 21 Wheat 20 Maw states that the fat laid down in the carcass is replacing the moisture. This fat in the cooked bird influences the apparent moistness of the flesh. The palatability tests indicated the corn-fed birds appeared the most moist, with the best flavor. The barley-fed meat was nearly like the corn-fed ; whereas the oat-fed and wheat-fed meats were the poorest in quality, the wheat-fed apparently being the driest and poorest in flavor. These birds were roasted at a constant temperature of 375 °F. LITERATURE CITED AND REFERENCES Alexander, L. M., and Clark, N. G. Shrinkage and Heat Penetration during the Roasting of Lamb and Mutton as Influenced by Carcass Grade, Ripening Period, and Cooking Method. Tech. Bull. 440. U. S. Dept. Agri. (1934). Baker, L. C. The Constituents of Meat Acting as Pointers of Change. J. Soc. Chem. Ind. 54: 154T (1935). Beard, F. J. A Study of Tough and Tender Meat. Master's Thesis (unpub- lished). Iowa State College (1924). Benson, C. C. Hydrogen Ion Concentration of Fish Muscle. J. Biol. Chem. 78: