What is the difference between "cooking" and "baking"?

The distinction between cooking and baking primarily revolves around the methods and principles used in each process. Cooking is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of techniques, including boiling, steaming, frying, and more, allowing for the use of both dry and wet heat. It covers various methods used to prepare food and does not necessarily adhere to strict temperature controls or methods.

Baking, on the other hand, specifically refers to the process of using dry heat, typically in an oven, to prepare foods such as bread, pastries, and cakes. Baking often requires precise temperature control and timing since these factors can significantly affect the texture and flavor of the finished product.

Therefore, the answer emphasizes that cooking encompasses a wider array of techniques and approaches, while baking is more confined to the principles of utilizing dry heat, which is why this response highlights the specific nature of baking compared to the generality of cooking.