The Joys Of Cooking In Clay
Our friends had us over for a scrumptious dinner last week – they served lovely fresh steamed veggies with a juicy pot roast and mini roasted potatoes. And how were these scrumptious dishes prepared? In clay! Generally, when we plan on roasting a turkey, baking a fish, cooking a chicken or steaming fresh vegetables, we usually use cookware made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or ceramic. However many people around the world use cooking vessels made of clay. Even here in the United States there are many loyal clay pot users who imagine the only people who don’t enjoy clay pot cooking are the ones that haven’t tried it.
I had never heard of cooking in clay before, but it turns out that many people have been using clay for cookware over thousands of years. It dates back to when beef or poultry was packed in mud and placed into a fire’s embers. While the clay dried in the fire, the meat was cooking inside. When finished, they would then break the clay open to enjoy the delicious, juicy meal that had cooked inside.
Not only do meals cooked in clay taste delicious, but the clay cooking method is also a very healthy way to prepare your foods. That is because the dishes do not require any additives such as fats and oils to produce tender results. To begin, the clay pot must be soaked in water for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes prior each use. The porous clay pot absorbs this moisture which delivers tastier, moister and tender results. It’s important to note that once you place the ingredients inside the clay pot, the pot should be put into a cold oven prior to setting the temperature, usually at about 400 to 450 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.
Not only is clay cookware functional, but it’s very attractive and perfectly useful as serveware too. Romertopf is a company that produces a popular clay cookware line that offers a great variety of pots in different sizes and styles. You’ll find apple and banana bakers, fish roasters, maxi bakers for a big Thanksgiving turkey, garlic bakers, and much more. Next time you’re ready to buy some new cookware for your home, take a look at some of the great clay cookware available and treat yourself to a piece or two – you’ll be glad you did.
Make sure your kitchenware collection is complete by including at least one set of Ceramic & Glass Bakeware to make your favorite casseroles and other great dishes. When it comes to value and flexibility, Colorful Ceramic Cookware Dishes are a must have for any kitchen.


