Which cooling method involves placing uncovered foods in a shallow pan?

The method of cooling that involves placing uncovered foods in a shallow pan is best identified as a blast chiller. This technique is specifically designed to rapidly cool foods, reducing their temperature quickly to safely inhibit the growth of bacteria.

When using a blast chiller, the shallow pan allows for better air circulation and more efficient cooling, as it increases the surface area of the food exposed to the cold air. This method is important for maintaining food safety standards, particularly when it comes to cooling potentially hazardous foods fast enough to reach safe temperatures.

Shallow pans are commonly recommended in food safety guidelines because they facilitate quick temperature reductions. Other methods, such as ice water baths and ice paddles, involve different processes and are not primarily characterized by the use of shallow pans for cooling. Room temperature cooling, on the other hand, does not meet safety standards as it can allow food to remain in the temperature danger zone for too long, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.