Kashi and soups, roast and stewed vegetables - in the oven, all these foods are obtained especially tasty. Casseroles appeared in ancient times, and today are popular. This method of preparation many advantages: meals are prepared without the participation of almost cook without added fat; when cooking foods fully retain the flavor and aroma.

Story

Clay vessels for baking there in ancient times, even before mankind invented the stoves and hearths. Original clay pots buried in the hot ashes, respectively, and the form they were not the same as in modern and slightly pointed. Later, when the furnace steel making pots with a flat bottom.

Since ancient times, clay pots different variety of forms: the high and the low, narrow and wide, large and small, and sometimes even curly, fine. The most widely used, however, the pots with a narrow neck and a small bottom and a wide middle part. This was convenient to get the dishes out of the oven, wielding tongs. In addition, in pots of similar shape quickly create the optimal temperature for the preparation of various dishes.

Pots for a long time remained the only type of dishes in the kitchen, both in poor and in rich homes. Some could afford a few sets of utensils: in one pot to cook, and in others - they are usually richly decorated - food served to the table. In poorer families, for baking and serving dishes are usually served the same dishes.

It refers to the pots very carefully: this cost is not cheap dishes, in addition, the pots are often used in various ceremonies, such as weddings. If cracks appear on the pot, utensils are not discarded and carefully tied up and used for food storage.

Over time, the clay pots have become less popular: there available metal utensils and food were more likely to cook on the stove or in the oven than the oven. It would seem that pottery is hopelessly outdated, and she left the place only in the souvenir shops, but no: the interest in a clay pot revived.

Advantages and disadvantages

Clay pots have many advantages. Their main advantage - is, of course, the environmental friendliness of such dishes. Ceramic pots when heated does not emit any toxic and harmful substances, so the dishes cooked in a food is safe. However, there have clay pots and other benefits:

• Meals are prepared with little or no participation of chefs: requires neither stirring nor the addition of certain ingredients or constant supervision;
• Preparation of products carried out in its own juice. Adding fat is not required, which means that dishes are not too high-calorie;
• Meals are prepared in this way, a delicious, juicy and fragrant;
• Food cooked in pots, much more useful to roast;
• Pots can be used for cooking in a microwave oven Microwave - irreplaceable assistant modern housewife Also they are suitable for all types of stoves - gas, electric, induction;
• To the table dishes can be served in the same dish in which they are produced. Modern ceramic pots can be very decorative, this stylish tableware attaches special appeal even modest meal;
• In small pots can cook dishes a la carte, which is very handy if the family different taste preferences;
• Caring for ceramic tableware is not complicated, some types of pots can be washed in a dishwasher.

As with any utensils in ceramic pots, there are also disadvantages:

• On cooking takes a lot of time: a few hours;
• Treat pots should be careful that they are not cracked. For example, this dish should be protected from extreme temperatures, put only in a cold oven and cool under cold running water;
• The pots are not suitable for cooking on the stove;
• In very hot oven for pots, they should take care not to burn yourself. It will take careful while eating: the food in the pot remains hot for a long time.

General principles of preparation

The pots can cook a variety of dishes of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, cereals and even eggs. Beautifully produced cereals and casseroles Casseroles. The variety and economy And soups, cooked in pots, a pleasant surprise with its taste of even the most discerning tasters.

Pots sure to cover with a lid - just so you can get a juicy and delicious. In some cases, the cover can be successfully replaced conventional unleavened dough. Subsequently, a cover edible soaked appetizing smell of hot, you can have a snack meal.

All products are placed in pots at the same time, it is desirable that the period of preparation have been about the same. If the terms "maturation" of components differ significantly, some of them should be brought to half before baking. This simple procedure also reduces cooking time.

Fill the pots should be three quarters, no more, or in the process of preparing a dish "run away." When cooking roast or stew, usually on the bottom of the pot is placed vegetables (such as onions, carrots, tomatoes), followed by a layer of pieces of meat, and again a layer of vegetables.

It is advisable to immediately lay in pots products so as to open during cooking utensils and to add, say, the water is no longer necessary. For the first time, adding a liquid, it is better to follow the recipe, further experience will tell how much water will be needed for the best taste. Instead of water, however, you can use broth or wine: the alcohol evaporates, and the spicy aroma will remain.

Maria Bykov

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