We recently ate at a friend's home and enjoyed a juicy roast along with fresh steamed broccoli with cheese followed with a surprisingly delicious baked apple with caramel topping for dessert. I was helping her clean up after dinner and saw that she had prepared everything in her clay cookware. This was new to me since I'm used to the standard pots and pans I grew up with - namely made of aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic bakeware, or copper. But it turns out that clay cooking is quite popular around the world, including here in the U.S. My friend raves about her clay pots and thinks everyone should own at least a piece or two in their kitchenware collection.
Thousands of years ago, Romans would prepare their meat by covering the food in clay and toss the "clay pot" into hot embers. As the moisture would leave the clay from the heat, the meat would be cooking on the inside of the pot. Once the clay dried, it would be pulled from the embers and cracked open to reveal the delicious, juicy, cooked meat inside.
Many consider clay cooking a healthy way to cook because the moisture released from the clay replaces the need to add extra oils and fats to the dish. Clay cookware must be soaked in water prior placing the ingredients inside so that the porous material can absorb the moisture that will later be released during the cooking process. Never place a clay pot into a pre-heated oven as it may cause it to crack. Instead place the filled pot into a cold oven prior setting the oven temperature, generally in the low to mid 400 degrees.
You can browse the web for many great recipes designed for cooking in clay. One I tried recently was Beggar's Chicken. The recipe called for chicken legs, but I went with cutlets instead, adding the required spices such as ginger and garlic and the sherry and soy sauce flavorings. I served it with pasta and a balsamic salad and it was very delicious. The chicken was particularly tasty, flavorful and tender.
You can even use a covered clay pot as a stockpot for soup or a slow cooker for your favorite chili or stew. This versatile cookware is perfect for making casseroles, stocks, and more. If you're in the mood for homemade soup, why not make a batch of thick pea soup or cheesy potato soup? You can create a tasty vegetarian casserole or a chunky chicken stew. You and your family are sure to enjoy the fantastic flavors produced by these great slow cookers.
This unique cookware is quite beautiful and comes in a variety of styles and sizes. One well-known manufacturer of quality clay cookware is Romertopf. They offer everything from bread pans to garlic bakers, fish roasters to apple bakers, and much more. So when you're ready to treat yourself to some new cookware, consider adding a special clay piece to the top of your list. Though once you buy one, you'll likely be hooked.
Thousands of years ago, Romans would prepare their meat by covering the food in clay and toss the "clay pot" into hot embers. As the moisture would leave the clay from the heat, the meat would be cooking on the inside of the pot. Once the clay dried, it would be pulled from the embers and cracked open to reveal the delicious, juicy, cooked meat inside.
Many consider clay cooking a healthy way to cook because the moisture released from the clay replaces the need to add extra oils and fats to the dish. Clay cookware must be soaked in water prior placing the ingredients inside so that the porous material can absorb the moisture that will later be released during the cooking process. Never place a clay pot into a pre-heated oven as it may cause it to crack. Instead place the filled pot into a cold oven prior setting the oven temperature, generally in the low to mid 400 degrees.
You can browse the web for many great recipes designed for cooking in clay. One I tried recently was Beggar's Chicken. The recipe called for chicken legs, but I went with cutlets instead, adding the required spices such as ginger and garlic and the sherry and soy sauce flavorings. I served it with pasta and a balsamic salad and it was very delicious. The chicken was particularly tasty, flavorful and tender.
You can even use a covered clay pot as a stockpot for soup or a slow cooker for your favorite chili or stew. This versatile cookware is perfect for making casseroles, stocks, and more. If you're in the mood for homemade soup, why not make a batch of thick pea soup or cheesy potato soup? You can create a tasty vegetarian casserole or a chunky chicken stew. You and your family are sure to enjoy the fantastic flavors produced by these great slow cookers.
This unique cookware is quite beautiful and comes in a variety of styles and sizes. One well-known manufacturer of quality clay cookware is Romertopf. They offer everything from bread pans to garlic bakers, fish roasters to apple bakers, and much more. So when you're ready to treat yourself to some new cookware, consider adding a special clay piece to the top of your list. Though once you buy one, you'll likely be hooked.
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Complete your meal with a nice leafy green salad and serve it in an attractive looking Salad Serving Bowl. Whether it's for the holidays or a family meal, it's always good to make sure you have a good supply of top Quality Serveware in your kitchen.
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