[Jaki Vampyler]

The fruit salad was quite nice, really, Jaki considered. She had enjoyed it, although she had taken some to her next door neighbour, as there was too much for her to eat alone.

She looked forward the next brightening to learning an actual technique, and so she stood up, eagerly, as Tania arrived, once more with her full basket. Her teacher smiled at her as she entered Did you enjoy the fruit salad? she asked with a friendly smile. Jaki nodded and spoke in her usual quiet voice I did indeed. It was very refreshing, although I have found that it is better eaten in smaller quantities, as it became quite overwhelming after a while Tania nodded and Jaki stood aside, allowing her entry.

Today we are going to be learning about boiling. It is a most basic technique, but it is one that if overlooked can ruin a meal. Now, I have here some foodstuffs, and we are going to cook them. But before that, I will talk you through it, and then you will tell me if there are any questions. Jaki nodded, and listened intently, taking copious notes as Tania talked.

At the end of the morning, Jaki had a series of notes regarding the technique of boiling.

BOILING:
This is bringing water (OR ANY OTHER LIQUID) to what is called "boiling point". There is some scientific explanation of what that is, in terms of degrees this much, or numbers that much, but in essence it means putting liquid in the pan until such time as it bubbles consistently.

Boiling is used for a number of techniques.The most basic is boiling water to add vegetables to (refer back here to recipie for stew). Boiling is also used a lot in a technique known as "STEAMING".

STEAMING: this is where water is brought to the boil in a large pot. A mesh-bottomed pan is then placed over the pot, rather than a lid, and the substance to be cooked is placed in it. That means that the food stuff is cooked by the boiling steam. This is good for:
Fish (steamed fish are more flavourful than baked)
Vegetables (this locks in more of the vegetables goodness and also makes them more flavourful)
Puddings (some desserts are steamed, in order to give them a richer, moister flavour

Issues with steaming:
1) When water is boiling is bubbles up - so you need to use a tall pan.
2) Have to keep the water level topped up to maintain the water boiling so that sufficient steam is generated
3) It makes it rather steamy in the room you are cooking in, so good ventilation is required.

Boiling (cont'd)
The main use of boiling rather than simmering (we will be looking at that tomorrow) is to *reduce*liquid. Whilst reducing water leaves you with, effectively, less water, reducing milk, for example, leaves you with a thicker consistency of milk which is much sweeter and creamier. If this is to be done, however, one must stir the milk constantly whilst it is boiling in order to ensure that it does not form a skin and therefore lose the purpose of reduction.

Jaki and Tania then spent the next two candlemarks reducing two pints of milk down to just under a cupful of very thick sweet condensed milk. Jaki found herself amazed at the amount of stirring that needed to be done, and she found her arm aching quite badly by the end of it.

When they had the cup of milk, as Jaki washed the saucepan up, Tania asked her what had surprised her about actually doing that, rather than learning about it. Jaki considered carefully and spoke in her usual considered manner Well, firstly, the sheer amount of stirring that needed to be done. I am rather surprised by that. Also, the length of time that it took, as it was not as quick as I had at first thought. Indeed the reduction of the milk seemed to start quickly, and then really went rather slowly. I suppose the only other thing is how difficult it was not to burn the milk in the pan. Again, though, that was helped by the stirring

Tania nodded and smiled Well enough. That is a very sweet milk drink you have there. I would recommend some coffee made with it, if coffee is your pleasure, or using it over a desert would be excellent as well. I will take my leave now, and see you on the morrow

Jaki nodded at Tania and smiled. I will see you tomorrow. Thank you again she said, and with that, Tania left.