COOK WITH MOTHER NATURE -TERRACOTTA COOKING

INTRODUCTION:
 
Clay pot cooking seems to be all the rage these days. Earthenware pots are relatively inexpensive and beautiful to look at, as evidenced by the lovely products featured at clay pot specialty shops. They have a number of unique properties that distinguish them from metal pots. There are many people who absolutely love cooking with clay pots. One reason is for the apparent health benefits they give. 

BENEFITS OF TERRACOTTA COOKING:

The first is that clay is porous. This means that moisture and heat circulate through the pot during cooking.The most unique thing about clay pot cooking is that you soak the pot in water before using it. Then, while cooking, the pot gradually releases stream. This cooks your food in a particularly moist way, and it means you can use less liquids and oils when cooking. Clay pots are also slightly alkaline, which will reduce the acidity of foods (such as tomato sauce) you make in it.

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Clay pots also help foods to retain all of their vitamins and nutrients because they create a closed cooking environment. Cooking with a clay pot does a couple of things for the flavor and texture of the food you’re cooking. Because of the steam, meats stay moist and tender. A clay pot can cook delicious whole chickens, pork chops, corned beef, pot roasts, and other slow-cooked meals. Meats will come out juicy and flavorful, and because most clay pots are large, you can cook any vegetables alongside them. 

Clay pots are also very popular for baking artisan bread. The porous clay will absorb some of the moisture from the surface of the loaf of bread without allowing all the steam to escape the dough. This results in bread with a really crispy crust. If you’re a bread baker, you know this can be difficult to accomplish in the oven. A clay pot makes it easier to produce the perfect crust and comes out with consistently great results.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TERRACOTTA COOKING :

"The health benefits of cooking in a clay pot are vast. Firstly, clay pots add many important nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium and sulfur to food, which are extremely beneficial to our body. Clay is also alkaline and thus, acts neutralized the acidity in the food, which makes it easier for us to digest. 

Importantly, oil is not necessary for cooking in a clay pot and thus, it is observed that food cooked in clay pots are much lower in fat than food prepared in any other method."

​TYPES OF TERRACOTTA POTS :

There are a couple of different kinds of clay pots. Some are made for stove top cooking and can handle higher temperature Others are made to use for baking in the oven, similar to a Dutch oven, and are not meant for use on the stove.

 How to use your earthenware:

• Gradual rise in temperature: Use earthen cookware only for cooking where the temperature rise takes place gradually. Sudden rise or fall of the temperature make lead to its cracking. Use a skillet to saute ingredients before adding it to the pot.
• Avoid adding cold water: Never add broth or cold water into an earthen pot that is already heated.
• Earthenware alone in the dishwasher: If you are using the dishwasher for washing the glazed, earthenware do not put in other cookware with it. The rubbing may cause scratches on the earthenware.
• Avoid scratchy powdered cleaners: The scratchy powdered cleaner for cleaning your earthenware. Use only a mild soap.
• Soak the un-glazed earthenware: To removed food items stuck to your un-glazed earthenware, simply soak it in water without detergent. The detergent might be absorbed by the earthenware and prove poisonous while being used the next time.

 
CONCLUSION:

Clay is an environment friendly substance, as they are completely natural, inert and non-toxic. When taken care of these clay pots properly they can last quiet a long time. They are completely Bio-degradable. One small change can make your food healthier and tastier. ​