What are the principles to remember in cooking protein-rich foods?

1. Use low heat. High heat can toughen protein-rich foods, making them chewy or dry. Instead, use low heat to cook proteins slowly and evenly.

2. Don't overcook. Overcooking protein-rich foods can also toughen them. The best way to tell if a protein is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of cooked protein should be between 145 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Use a marinade. Marinating protein-rich foods in a mixture of herbs, spices, and liquids can help to tenderize them and add flavor.

4. Baste regularly. If you're cooking protein-rich foods on the grill or in the oven, baste them regularly with the marinade or other liquid. This will help to keep them moist and flavorful.

5. Let it rest. Once protein-rich foods are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

6. Check the doneness. Not all proteins are cooked to the same temperature.

Here are some specific guidelines for cooking different types of protein-rich foods:

* Beef: The internal temperature of cooked beef should be between 145 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Rare beef is cooked to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, medium-rare is cooked to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, and medium is cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Pork: The internal temperature of cooked pork should be between 145 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Chicken: The internal temperature of cooked chicken should be between 165 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Fish: The internal temperature of cooked fish should be between 140 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Seafood: The internal temperature of cooked seafood should be between 145 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Eggs: The internal temperature of cooked eggs should be between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Tofu: Tofu can be cooked at any temperature. However, it is important to cook tofu until it is heated through, which is usually around 165 degrees Fahrenheit.