Cooking and baking are two very different techniques used in the kitchen to create delicious meals and treats. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are actually many key differences between the two methods.

Cooking is the process of using heat to prepare food. This can be done on the stovetop, in a pan, or in the oven, and can include a wide variety of techniques such as sautéing, frying, boiling, and more. Cooking allows for greater flexibility in terms of ingredients and flavors, as you can easily adjust and adapt a recipe as you go. It is also generally quicker than baking and can be done with a wider variety of ingredients.

Baking, on the other hand, is a more precise and methodical technique. It involves the use of dry heat to cook food, typically in an oven. Baking is often associated with sweet treats like cakes, cookies, and bread, but can also be used to prepare savory dishes such as roasted vegetables and casseroles. Baking requires precise measurements and often a specific recipe to be followed. Unlike cooking, it is not easy to make changes to a recipe while in the process.

One of the key differences between cooking and baking is the use of liquids. Cooking often involves the use of liquids like water, oil, or broth, while baking typically uses dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and leavening agents. This difference in liquid content affects the texture of the finished product, with cooked foods being softer and more moist, and baked goods being firmer and more crumbly.

Another difference is the cooking time. Cooking typically takes less time than baking, with most dishes being ready in under an hour. Baking, on the other hand, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the recipe.

In summary, cooking and baking are both important techniques used in the kitchen to create delicious meals and treats, but they are very different. Cooking is a more flexible, adaptable method that allows for greater creativity and experimentation, while baking is a more precise, methodical technique that requires following a recipe and precise measurements. Both techniques have their own unique advantages, and the best way to determine which method to use is to consider the specific recipe and desired outcome.