14 Mar 2008 02:21:36 | Helen Porter,
At simplyKitchenware.com , we are often asked about the problem
of cooking without water. Nobody likes the smell of burning
food, and the most obvious response to the pan drying out is
simply to add more water. However, this is not always the best
solution. Over hydrating your ingredients is actually the
fastest way to dilute the taste - and bland food is a dish best
not served at all, not to mention you run a real risk of
damaging your expensive cookware!
The solution? At www.simplykitchenware.com , the answer to this
question is broken down into several steps you should follow if
you want to cook without water, without either ruining your
ingredients or damaging the pan.
Always use the right pan Select the utensil the food will most
nearly fill, as air pockets - created by using pans too large
for the food quantity will destroy vitamins - dry out food and
possibly burn and damage your pan. Our recommendation : Never
use more than 2/3 of the pan capacity.
Rinse prepared food and vegetables This is important for two
reasons. First of all it removes harmful chemicals and secondly
it allows enough water to cling to the food to mix with the
natural juices, which will help to get the waterless nutritional
cooking process started.
Control the heat It is important to start with a cold pot and to
check the heat throughout the cooking process. If the heat is
too high, the steam will evaporate and destroy the food and
possible the cookware. When one cooks according to the waterless
method, we strongly recommend to maintain MEDIUM heat.
Get a vapor seal Start cooking at medium heat. When the
slightest puff of steam escapes on the side of the lid lower the
heat to low or simmer. After this, you may start counting for
the cooking time. The lid now has formed a natural seal with the
pot. We recommend to use 3-5 tablespoons of water in the
beginning.
Don’t peek Every time the cover is removed during the cooking
period, heat and steam are allowed to escape, which will
lengthen the cooking period and dry out the food. If you can’t
resist the urge to peek, never forget to add a few extra
tablespoons of water. Be specific: If the recipe calls for 10
minutes, don’t start looking after 5 minutes.
Follow these simple steps and you should be fine!
About Author :
Celeb chef Helen Porter cooks up a storm for www.simplyKitchenware.com
the only place for cookware and kitchenware online!