by Maggi Thomas

Created on: April 08, 2009

Talking of the safest cookware? The answer that flashes up in my mind is Clay pot. Clay pot cooking is a method of cooking food practiced since a very long time. This method of cooking has been found to be competitive enough to be considered in this modern age. It is a simple, competent and healthy cooking method with many advantages. Clay pot cooking can retain the nourishing components of the food intact and can work without additional fats. This system can be dated back to ancient times.

An unglazed clay pot is kept dipped in water for some time to absorb water before it is taken to cook the food. The pot is then filled with vegetables other non vegetable item and put on the oven. With the gaining of heat, the pot starts releasing the water in the form of steam. The food material inside the pot does not lose any moisture because of the presence of steam from the walls of the clay pot. There is no chance of burning of the material as long as the evaporation of water continues. Without the presence of additional oil in the pot, the food is justifiably low in fat value. Food made through other processes need oil for frying and thus contain high fat presence. Due to the loss of heat for evaporation of water, this clay pot cooking needs higher temperature oven and longer time for cooking. This can be compared to the traditional process of roasting meat in dry heat. The cleaning of the clay pot will have to be done only with water and scrubbing the inside of the pot vigorously to make them cleaner. Soap, salt or detergents should not be used as all of them may be absorbed by the clay pot.

Clay pots are available in many shape and sizes. Several crafty clay pots are seen today, which people take to their homes for perfect cooking. The unglazed clay pot can maintain the moisture of the meal through the cooking process. The pot is made of porous clay and both the pot and the cover should be always submerged in water before cooking. The water molecules will penetrate the food material due to the heat and reach deeper into the material. The food is always tasty in clay pot cooking. When the cooking is complete, servings can be made from the pot itself. Clay pots are so beautifully created that you can place them on your dining table. Special trays are also available to keep the clay pots beyond the touch of cold surfaces.

Clay pots are preferred for slow-cooked foods. The clay does not get easily hot like the metal does. It is like cooking in a simmered flame, which makes the texture of the food juicier. Heavy clay pots can hold heat more efficiently and you may need to hold the heat down for seasoned and slow cooking. Many people have expressed that older clay pots give better taste than newer ones. One most important thing in the clay pot cooking is to look after the variation of the temperature. You must note that abrupt changes in temperature can cause a clay pot to break and damage the entire process.

Learn more about this author, Maggi Thomas.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.