What is break in cooking terms and how it doing?

"Break" in cooking has a few different meanings depending on the context. Here's a breakdown:

1. Break in the context of cooking meat:

* Meaning: Refers to the point during cooking when the connective tissues in meat begin to break down, making the meat more tender.

* How it's done: This usually happens with slow cooking methods like braising, roasting, or stewing. The prolonged heat and moisture allow the collagen in the meat to turn into gelatin, which makes the meat softer and more flavorful.

* Example: "The brisket will break down after 6 hours of braising."

2. Break in the context of egg yolks:

* Meaning: Refers to the point when the yolk of an egg becomes thick and creamy, rather than runny.

* How it's done: This happens when eggs are cooked at a low temperature, like in a custard or mayonnaise. The yolk molecules denature and solidify, but not completely.

* Example: "The yolks are perfectly broken in this custard, they're creamy and smooth."

3. Break in the context of pastry dough:

* Meaning: This refers to the process of gently rubbing cold butter into flour to create small, evenly-sized pieces of butter.

* How it's done: You use your fingertips or a pastry blender to work the butter into the flour. The goal is to keep the butter cold and separated, which leads to a flaky, tender pastry.

* Example: "The pastry dough needs to be broken down until the butter is evenly distributed."

4. Break in the context of bread baking:

* Meaning: This refers to the point in the baking process when the gluten structure in bread dough weakens, causing it to rise quickly and create a large volume of air pockets.

* How it's done: This happens when the yeast ferments the sugars in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas. The gluten network traps the gas, causing the dough to rise.

* Example: "The dough is ready to be baked, it's just starting to break."

To fully understand the "break" in cooking, consider the specific context in which it's used. If you're unsure, you can always look for clues within the recipe or ask for clarification!