Smita Diwan
We are at a time where we are heading towards a sustainable living and the use of natural products in our lifestyle. Keeping this mind, in today’s article, we’re going back to our roots of cooking in clay pots, it’s benefits and how can we incorporate them in our cooking.
1)Want to add some flavors in your cooking? Well, clay pot cooking is all about flavors! The slow process of cooking in clay pots makes the food so, very delectable that you just want to forget fancy Nonstick cookware which is made of Synthetic Polymer and Teflon. And just in case you didn’t know, if Teflon and other non-stick surfaces are overheated at a temperature beyond which their coating breaks apart and they emit toxic particles and gasses.
2) Earthenware pots are made with natural clay, which is derived straight from the Earth, and clay pots have been in use since centuries in our country. Pure clay consists of calcium, phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and more than 12 chemicals which are essential for our body. Now take a moment to just imagine how wonderful it will be if you’ll never have to take any vitamin tablet to balance calcium or iron level in your body.
3) Clay pot cooking is a unique process. When it is cooked on a slow gas, it doesn’t damage the nutrients of your food and tastes better than any other cookware. That’s a win-win!
So how can you replace some of the kitchenware or cookware to earthen cookware?
1) Clay Pot Handi – This one is a must have in your kitchen and whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, it doesn’t matter. From the humble Khichdi to Dal Tadka to Yummy Biryani, we guarantee you’ll never regret buying this one. And not just this – making chicken, stew or fish dishes in earthy pots are really good ideas and that’s we see most the chefs preparing exotic dishes in them.
2) Kulhad ki Chai – Well, we all have heard stories of our grandmother serving hot milk or garam chai in these earthen cups, and now it’s time for us to reinvent them in our lifestyle. If you want the earthy scent of your favorite beverage, kulhad is a great way to bring that in. Not to forget that it is more environment friendly than your plastic cups!
3) Clay Tava –This one might come as a surprise, but, yes, it is very much possible to make your daily rotis on a clay tawa and once you taste the roti prepared on this earthy tava, you are very much likely to forget your old one.
4) Yogurt Pot – How can we not know the taste of Misti Doi which is made in a clay pot! Get a small pot for making curd, boiling milk or even to make kheer! Remember how Phirni is served? And you know the best part? They are cost effective too!
So this is just a small way to introduce our age old forgotten cookware in our lives and by taking a small step you’ll surely take a step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly living. Let us know if you have any more ideas or any of favorite recipe that you’d love to cook in clay pots.
