How to Bake With Clay Pots
Clay pots have been used since antiquity for cooking and baking foods and are still used in some cultures today. To be food safe, the clay pot must be unglazed, as some pots on the market are coated with lead-based glazing. Baking in a clay pot is similar to baking in any other roasting or baking dish, but there are some important differences. Clay pots are available in kitchen supply stores and online at various retailers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Various clay pots, e.g. roaster, flower pot or tureen
- Bread recipe
- Meat
- Stew or soup recipes
Instructions
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1
Wash your clay pot, under hot, running water, before using it to bake food. This will remove any dust and debris that may be collected on the pot.
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2
Soak the pot in clean, cold water for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows the pot to absorb moisture and helps to seal the pores of the clay.
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3
Place the food to be cooked into the clay pot. For best results, meats should fit into the roaster without touching the sides of the pot. Bread should be placed in flowerpots with enough room for the dough to rise and soups and stews should be combined in a separate bowl and poured into the pot.
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Place the clay pot into a cold oven. A clay pot should never be placed in a preheated or hot oven as this can cause the clay to crack or shatter.
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Turn the oven temperature to 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook roasts, soups or stews for approximately 45 minutes or until done. Cook breads for approximately 30 minutes before checking for doneness. Because of the high temperatures of the oven, foods baked in clay pots will cook faster.
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Remove the baking pot from the oven and set it on a trivet, stove top or counter. Take care not to place the hot pot on a cold surface as this can cause the pot to crack. If needed, place a folded dishcloth on the counter where the pot will be placed to avoid extreme temperature changes.
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Clean your pot by washing it in the dishwasher or by hand. Take care not to scrub too vigorously, as this will remove the seasoning from the inside of the pot and may leave a soapy taste in the next meal you cook.
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Tips & Warnings
Flavors are often absorbed into the pores of a clay pot. To keep strong flavors from transferring from one dish to the next, designate a separate clay pot for spicy foods, meat roasting and other specialized dishes.
As a general rule, you can convert most regular recipes by adding 100 degrees in temperature and deducting 1/2 hour of cooking time if using a clay baker.
Clay pots can also be used in the microwave.
