What exactly is waterless cooking? Is it just another new fad? Actually, waterless cooking is not new–it’s been around for quite a long time. However, because of our busy schedules, many of us have abandoned preparing meals at home in favor of dining out, preparing quick snacks or using prepackaged foods. This article will highlight what waterless cooking is, why it is not only more nutritious but convenient and time-saving as well. No longer do you have to sacrifice healthy, tasty meals because of busy time constraints.
Waterless cooking will allow you to prepare great tasting meals, save energy and use much less water than with conventional cooking. Waterless cooking is a very healthy way to cook. When you use surgical steel waterless cookware, you never have to worry about minute particles from the pans breaking away from your cookware and entering your food. Waterless cookware uses a pressure steam control method so you can cook economically and with low heat. The built-in steam control valve whistles like a tea kettle as a signal to turn down the heat. With waterless cookware, you never cook with high heat. You start with medium heat and as soon as you hear the whistle you turn the stove down to low.
Cooking foods in water will often result in the loss of nutrients and flavor, but it can also change the appearance and texture of the food. Have you ever experienced a plate of limp, light-colored, overcooked broccoli? This is the direct result of cooking the food in too much water. The waterless cooking method retains the nutrients in the food as it cooks. There is only about a 2% average mineral loss with the steam control method as compared to a 42% mineral loss when boiling in water. Retaining 98% of the minerals can actually slow down or prevent many age-related problems. When cooking fruits and vegetables, it is recommended that the peels (a valuable source of vitamins and minerals be left intact. A good scrubbing with water and scrub brush is all that is necessary.
With waterless cooking you can look forward to creating great-tasting, healthy meals in a fraction of the time that is required by traditional methods. Cooking with waterless cookware [http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/waterless_cookware_sets.html] has a number of advantages over the conventional cookware:
- Ease of cooking
- Cooking time is reduced
- Cookware is easy to clean and maintain
- Use less fat and oil in food preparation
- Exceptional taste
- Retention of vitamins and minerals in your food
- Overall improved appearance of cooked foods
There are six basic principles of Waterless Cooking:
- Always use the right size pan. For best results, the pan should be about 2/3 full. To form the seal most effectively, it is best that the pan is almost full.
- Always rinse vegetables thoroughly before cooking. While waterless cooking uses minimal water, it does not mean no water at all. Rinse vegetables and then shake off excess water. For best results, adding a small amount of water (about 1/4 inch) will help effectively create a vapor seal.
- Regulate the heat. Start with medium heat. As soon as the vapor seal begins to whistle, turn the heat down to low. NEVER use high heat.
- Create the vapor seal. When you begin the cooking process, the steam-control valve should be open. Once the valve begins to whistle, turn the heat down to low or simmer and close the valve. Shortly, an air-tight vapor seal will form betweens the lid and the pot itself. If there is steam escaping from around the lid, the heat should be reduced to a lower setting.
- Don’t peek. As tempting at it might be to check inside, resist the temptation. When the cover is removed during the cooking process, you’re allowing heat, steam, and valuables minerals to escape. Not only does this lengthen the cooking time, but it can increase the possibility of drying out or burning your foods as well.
- Vacuum Release. If your lids feel locked in place at the end of your cooking time, simply open the steam release valve to release the vacuum. Once the pressure is released, simply remove the lid.
Using waterless cookware is perhaps the healthiest and most energy efficient way to cook. Initially, it may be more expensive than the conventional cookware available in department stores, but its superior construction and energy-saving cooking methods will more than compensate for the difference over time. With proper maintenance, your waterless cookware can last a lifetime. Consider it an investment in a healthy, long-lasting lifestyle! And the best news–you don’t have to be a gourmet cook to produce delectable, tasty and healthy meals with quality waterless cookware.