What does cow milk do in cooking?

Cow's milk is a common ingredient in cooking due to its versatility and nutritional properties. It can serve various functions, including:

1. Mixing Liquid: Milk is often used as a liquid base in recipes, such as soups, sauces, puddings, custards, and batters. It provides a smooth texture and helps combine other ingredients.

2. Enhancing Flavor: Milk can add a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor to dishes. It complements savory foods, such as pasta, stews, and casseroles, and balances the tartness of acidic ingredients.

3. Tenderizing Meat: Milk can be used as a marinade for meat, especially tougher cuts, due to the presence of lactic acid. The acid helps break down the proteins in the meat, making it more tender.

4. Providing Fat: Milk contains varying amounts of fat depending on the type (whole, skim, etc.). The fat in milk can contribute richness and flavor to recipes and act as a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins.

5. Coagulating Proteins: When milk is heated or combined with an acidic ingredient, the proteins in the milk can coagulate, causing them to thicken. This property is utilized in making yogurt, cheese, and certain sauces like béchamel.

6. Emulsification: Milk can act as an emulsifier, helping to combine ingredients that would not normally mix well, such as oil and water. This property is important in salad dressings and creamy sauces like mayonnaise.

7. Adding Moisture: Milk can provide moisture to baked goods, making them softer and more tender. It also contributes to the browning of baked goods.

8. Creating a Golden Crust: When milk is brushed on the surface of baked goods before baking, it creates a golden and shiny crust due to the Maillard reaction.

9. Substituting Other Liquids: In some cases, milk can be used as a substitute for other liquids in recipes, such as water or cream, to alter the taste and texture.

10. Nutritional Benefits: Cow's milk is a source of several essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium, making it a nutritious addition to many dishes.