Posted by admin | Cooking Tips | Posted on June 29th, 2011
A cast iron wok is thinner than a normal fry pan. It allows the heat to be transferred and distributed faster. This is the uniqueness of a cast iron wok in that it can quickly heat up and cook your food at higher temperatures. It may be easier to purchase a cast iron wok with a longer handle. Traditional cast iron works have 2 handles but require you to have skill and technique before being able to use it.
Although a traditional cast iron wok requires more skill and experience to cook with, but you will be rewarded with dishes with great taste and texture.
I recommend a cast iron wok with 1 extended handle for ease of use and application. There’s also less chance of burring yourself especially when unloading food onto plates. Traditional 2 handle woks require strength in the forearms to use it with skill and dexterity.
The benefits of cast iron woks are that it adds a smoky flavour to your dish when cooked at the right temperature.
It is also easy to clean. Cast iron works can last for years if you look after it properly.
The important thing with cast iron woks is that you need to maintain and clean it well to prevent rusting. After cleaning it, apply a little oil and wipe with a tissue to spread the oils along the wok’s surface to prevent it from rusting.
Have a look on YouTube at various wok techniques you can apply when cooking with your cast iron woks. It’s not rocket science but requires patience and practice, but you will be rewarded with delicious healthy Asian dishes at home.
Cast iron woks are really great for stir fired Asian greens because with a little oil and at the right temperature, you can have a slightly smoky flavour to your vegetables.
Uses for a cast iron wok: *Boiling vegetables *Steaming fish or dim sim *Stir fry *Deep frying
For people who are right handed it will be your left hand which tosses the wok while the right hand uses the wok stirrer.
Tips on cooking:
*Ensure the wok is sufficiently heated before cooking or else the food will stick to the wok.
*Asian greens – slice into thin slices because the wok cooks food so fast, you will want the vegetables cut into 5mm pieces to allow through cooking.
*Meats should be cooked before the vegetables because they take longer.
*Eggs and other easy to cook vegetables should be cooked last.
If you have a Chinese friend then you can certainly ask them for tips on how to use cast iron woks.
Good luck and enjoy cooking you cast iron wok.
Posted by admin | Cooking Tips | Posted on June 24th, 2011
One of the most popular items utilized for cooking outdoors is the outdoor charcoal grill for a variety of reasons including their affordability, the charcoal or smoked flavor it gives the food, and its versatility and portability when it comes to backyard grilling or taking them on camping trips or to tailgate parties. There are many factors when it comes to utilizing a charcoal grill successfully including the preparation of the food, the actual grilling process, and safety. Whether or not you new to the art of charcoal grilling, already own an outdoor charcoal grill, or are considering the purchase of one, these tips on charcoal grilling will ensure the success of your next outdoor barbeque.
Direct and Indirect Charcoal Grilling
The term “direct grilling” simply means grilling food on the rack directly over the heat while “indirect grilling” is grilling food without it being directly over the heat source.
The decision on whether to use the direct or indirect grilling method should be based upon the type of food you are planning to cook. Smaller, tender or thinner cuts of meat such as hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, steaks, boneless chicken breast, and fish should be grilled utilizing the direct heat grilling method. After the coals are hot, use a pair of tongs equipped with long handles to spread them evenly along the bottom of your charcoal grill ensuring that the area directly below where the food will be placed on the grill rack is covered.
The indirect grilling method requires an outdoor charcoal grill with a lid and should be used for larger pieces of meat including large steaks, chicken breasts, rack of ribs, and briskets. Prior to lighting, the charcoal briquettes should be placed in two small separate piles on the right and left side of the grill bottom leaving a space in the middle.
The briquettes should then be lit and allowed to burn for approximately five minutes and then a shallow aluminum pan should placed in the empty space which will collect the drippings from the meat. After positioning your grill grid on top, place your meat on the grid so that it lies in the center and directly over the drip pan. The lid of your charcoal grill should then be closed leaving the air vent on top slightly open.
Outdoor Charcoal Grill Safety and Lighting Tips
Ensuring the safety of you and your family and friends is an essential part of outdoor grilling and there are several precautionary measures that should be taken when operating an outdoor charcoal grill. When it comes to lighting your charcoal grill, gasoline should never be utilized to light the charcoal and lighter fluid should never be used after the charcoal has already been lit.
Any easy and safe way to light charcoal is to take small pieces of paper of saturate them with cooking or olive oil and place the briquettes in the shape of a pyramid covering the paper leaving a small piece sticking out which you can then light. The oil allows the paper to burn longer giving it time to light the charcoal. It is also recommended that you purchase the highest quality outdoor charcoal grill that you can afford in order to ensure the best outdoor grilling experience.
Posted by admin | Cooking Tips | Posted on May 30th, 2011
Getting to eat good nutritious food is not just by selection of food but also in the preparation of these foods. By changing the way of cooking you can see a dramatic effect on your health yet giving you the essential nutritional benefits. By having a proper cooking strategy and some substitution in the ingredients you can retain good health and improve the nutritional value in the dishes. This change would also significantly reduce the risk of cancer and have better health.
The following are the Top 10 healthy cooking tips
1. Reducing salt by half in your recipes would not have noticeable change in taste but would help you stay healthy. Using herb, spice, and lemon juice would work well with several dishes.
2. Making an investment in non-stick pan would help you avoid oil or use low fat cooking spray.
3. Steaming your food instead of boiling it would ensure to retain the flavor and color and give the essential nutrients.
Use of Chinese bamboo steamer of a good electric steamer would avoid cooking for longer time. By cooking in extended heat and liquid will take away the valuable nutrients.
4. Eating vegetables daily would keep you fit. Having a schedule to add vegetables in the form of salads or adding them in the soups would ensure the intake of vegetables. Using vegetable salsas instead of heavy gravies or sauce would also help.
5. Use low fat cheese and skimmed milk in your daily food would help reduce the cholesterol and fat content of baked foods.
6. Replace other oils by Olive oil and try to drain off the fat with the kitchen paper and then eat it. Before reheating the soups make them to chill so that you can skim the fat in the top.
7.
Eating charred food should be avoided, as it would contain cancer-promoting compounds. Microwave cooking is the beat choice to cook vegetables due its short cooking time and ensures to retain the nutrient value.
8. Looking for low fat recipes in biscuits and cakes and reduce the fat by choosing applesauce, mashed banana, and yogurt yet getting the required taste with less fat.
9. Using whole grain products instead of all-purpose flour will help you add nutrition to your meal. Trying whole-wheat flour, oatmeal in muffins and bread and soy flour in biscuits will be a healthy meal option.
10. Eating fruit desserts instead of cookies and cakes and eating yogurt sorbet instead of ice cream will be a good habit. Try serving cake with fruit sauce instead of whipped cream.