What is an example of a flexible cooking method?

Stir-frying is considered a flexible cooking method because it allows for a wide variety of ingredients and techniques to be used within the same process. This cooking style involves quickly cooking food over high heat in a small amount of oil, which means that cooks can easily adjust cooking times, temperatures, and combinations of ingredients based on what they have available or prefer to use.

For example, a stir-fry can incorporate an array of vegetables, proteins, and sauces, enabling adaptation to varying taste preferences and dietary requirements. Furthermore, the quick cooking time allows for modifications on the fly—if a certain vegetable is not cooking fast enough, a cook can adjust the heat or add ingredients at different times.

The other cooking methods have more rigid parameters. Baking, for instance, requires precise measurements and times for consistent results. Grilling generally dictates specific techniques geared toward larger cuts of meat or foods that can hold up on grates, limiting flexibility. Boiling is defined by submerging food in water, which comes with its own set of parameters regarding time and temperature that do not offer the same level of adaptability as stir-frying.